Morning

Begin your trip to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro region by exploring some of the Saint Paul suburbs. Start with brunch — or as Inver Grove Brewing Co. likes to call it, drunch. Offering a large outdoor patio complete with games, space heaters and a massive firepit, it’s the perfect place to kick off your weekend. The brewery offers 24 unique taps including a coffee ale, a caracara sour and a bubble peach brew — honestly, there’s a brew for everyone. The brunch menu is just as fun — the crispy chicken donut sandwich and pesto benedict are must-tries for the Instagram foodie in your crew.

Afternoon

Next up is Bald Man Brewing in Eagan, where you should definitely order the Ring of Fire jalapeño cream ale. If you’re looking for something a little more classic, try the Dark Side of the Moon nitro porter, which has notes of coffee, toffee and dark chocolate.

Spend the rest of your afternoon at Union 32 Craft House, which is known for its wall of 32 taps offering everything from a Nut Goodie porter (a collaboration with Pearson’s Candy) to an Apricot Big Island Blond. Hang out on the patio and grab some classic Minnesota bar food for lunch. Start with an order (or two) of deep-fried cheese curds with strawberry chipotle jam for the table and follow it up with a hearty burger.

Evening

Instead of dinner and a movie, do dinner and a distillery tour. For dinner, grab a table at Bricksworth Beer Co. in Burnsville. The microbrewery offers brick-oven pizza and a stellar take on Belgian-style beers. Among the lineup is a delectably refreshing hefeweizen with notes of banana and clove.

Next, head back into Saint Paul for the evening for a private tour of Studio Distilling. Sample a few of its award-winning modern craft whiskeys featuring hops and elderflower and coffee and chocolate. Pick up a bottle to take home, along with a craft cocktail kit, on your way out.

Finish the night at 11 Wells Spirits in Saint Paul and try its prohibition-style corn whiskey or a seasonal cocktail. If you want to learn a little more about the area through a drink, 11 Wells has a menu of local favorites. All of its spirits are distilled in house using only local ingredients from Minnesota-based farms.

Morning

One of the best parts about the Twin Cities is the difference between Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Minneapolis is modern and sleek with a rousing nightlife, while Saint Paul is historic and laidback. You’ll want to experience both sides during your visit, so Saturday is all about exploring the robust Minneapolis brew scene.

First up, ease your way into Saturday with a trip to Minneapolis Cider Co. for breakfast crepes and galettes accompanied by a cider flight or two. Be sure to try the mango habanero. Feeling up for a little friendly competition? Grab a game of pickleball after breakfast.

Afternoon

The “northeast brewery tour” is the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. Padraigs Brewing, Bauhaus Brew Labs and Sociable Cider Werks are all within walking distance of each other, and each one offers its own draw.

Padriags Brewing boasts some of Minneapolis’ most notable brews, such as their Mill City Pilsner. The modern, warehouse-style interior is an ode to the Minneapolis Warehouse District in which 612Brew resides.

Bauhaus Brew Labs is best known for its expansive patio, providing the perfect hangout spot for a few brews and some patio games. Check out the brewery’s food truck schedule and enjoy some local Minneapolis food-truck fare.

Sociable Cider Werks offers delicious, gluten-free ciders as well as bingo with prizes like a free cider and gift cards to local restaurants.

Evening

Kick off your Saturday evening with happy hour at Dampfwerk Distillery in St. Louis Park. The cocktail lounge is modern and sexy with dim lighting, dark walls and gold accents. Dampfwerk specializes in European-style fruit brandies and liqueurs made from locally sourced fruits. Take a tour of the family-owned distillery as a pre-dinner activity.

Utepils Brewing in Minneapolis offers a uniquely Minnesota experience of live music in its winter beer garden. Grab dinner from a local food truck — check the truck schedule online as they rotate. Utepils offers a wide variety of beers, but its most notable is the Keller Pils, an unfiltered, Czech-style pilsner.

Next, head over to Twin Spirits Distillery in Minneapolis for a nightcap by the fire in the distillery’s greenhouse. Pick from a wide selection of house-distilled spirits — you can get everything from gin to moonshine.

Late Morning/Afternoon

Finish out your weekend by exploring a few of the metro area’s suburbs that offer great beer and unique experiences. Sleep in and then head to brunch at  High Pines Brewing Co. in Roseville. High Pines offers a full-service tap room with food, in a relaxed atmosphere for friends and family to exchange stories and laughter. It is a place to hang out with friends, watch the game or enjoy the large patio.

Menu standouts include the Pinecone, an American lager brewed with pilsner malt and two varieties of corn, what they call “beer flavored beer;” a sour with strawberry and guava purée; and Easy Tiger, a pale ale that is fruity and floral with flavors of bitter citrus and pine.

Located within High Pines is another local favorite, the Tipsy Steer. It classifies itself as “local, sassy brew food,” and offers a menu that’s jam-packed with fun starters for the whole table, brick-oven pizza and “Psycho Milkshakes.”

Evening

Finish your weekend with a nightcap in Minneapolis Northwest at Skaalvenn Distillery — one of Minnesota’s hidden gems. Skaalvenn is where Japanese style meets Nordic culture. House-distilled vodka, habanero rum, aquavit and whiskey make for a versatile offering.