Fulton Brewery: Minneapolis — A Girl's Guide to Drinking Alone

414 N 6th Ave, North Loop, Minneapolis MN

The Place: A brewery and taproom that I didn’t realize was across from a baseball stadium.

The Time: Sunday June 26, 1pm. I’m in Minneapolis for the weekend with my friend Sterling. We went to a wedding yesterday (congrats Meg and Sid!) and Sterling has some family here. Like a good friend, he said I didn’t have to help his sister move into her new house, so I have the afternoon to myself. First I hit up the Mill City Museum and learn all about the history of flour mills, then decide to take a walk to Fulton Brewery, so I can enjoy grains in one of my other favorite forms: beer.

The Vibe: As I’m meandering from the museum to the brewery, I suddenly find myself in a sea of Minnesota Twins fans and it slowly dawns on me that Fulton is right near the baseball field. For a second, I genuinely think about buying a ticket and taking myself out to the ball game, but I (wisely) decide against it. I get to the brewery and to no one’s surprise but apparently my own, it’s basically a Twins party. They’ve got a big outdoor deck with long beer hall tables, string lights and cornhole sets. Everyone’s pretty young, in their 20s I’d guess, and wearing baseball jerseys. They’re playing what sounds like early 2010s rock. It’s a gorgeous yet windy day and I’m wearing a flouncy sundress so that’s been a little problematic. The only other person alone is a woman who’s standing drinking a beer, staring at her phone, with a suitcase and backpack, clearly killing time. The internet on my phone isn’t really working for some reason and I don’t exactly feel inclined to whip out my book and start reading Jamaica Kincaid right now.

The Bartender: A nice guy who pours my beer and swipes my card. I choose to sit outside because there are like, 4 seats at the bar and it seems like sitting at the bar isn’t exactly what you do here. But the member of the staff I interact with the most is a guy who calls himself “empty patrol” and picks up more empty pint glasses than I think is humanly possible. Eventually one goes over his shoulder and shatters on the floor behind him. He is completely unfazed and just says, “whoops it was the wind!” Midwesterners are really the nicest people, even to themselves.

The Drank: Ironically, the last time I was in Minneapolis, I had a beer from Fulton called Lonely Blonde. So I get it again. I’m still blonde and I’m currently alone so it still fits, even if I’m not on a solo trip this time. The ale is a little hoppy for my taste but I’ve fallen in love with sours in recent years. Sue me.

Was I Hit On?: Not at all. Mostly everybody here is with friends and they’re gonna head to the game or watch the game soon. It’s also Pride today and it seems like everyone in this city is either wearing something rainbow or something baseball (rarely both) and I think these are the real twin cities people talk about.

Should You Drink Here Alone?: Sure? Idk, personally I like to sit at bars when I go out alone and that wasn’t too much of an option here. But Fulton Brewery is certainly a nice place to sit outside and drink a beer in the North Loop. Even if it kind of feels like a dugout.