Land of Amber Waters

The History of Brewing in Minnesota

2007
Author:

Doug Hoverson

Cheers! From fine lagers to wicked ales—the complete history of brewing in Minnesota told here for the first time

Starting with its first brewery in 1849, Doug Hoverson tells the story of Minnesota’s beer industry from the small-town breweries that gave way to larger companies with regional and national prominence to the vibrant beer culture of today. Complete with a comprehensive list of Minnesota’s breweries—including many never before listed in print—and more than 300 tempting illustrations of beer and breweriana, Land of Amber Waters marvelously chronicles Minnesota’s rich brewing traditions.

Land of Amber Waters is a real triumph of American brewing history and is a must for every collector of brewing literature or breweriana.

Fritz Maytag

For centuries, brewmasters both professional and homegrown have pursued the perfect pour—a delectable combination of barley, yeast, water, and hops-and few states can claim as devoted a relationship to beer as Minnesota. For a time it seemed that every town had its brewery and a beer garden was a highlight of every local celebration. Dedicated home brewers and casual pub crawlers alike will be amazed by the tales of Minnesota beers and breweries featured in Land of Amber Waters.

Starting with its first brewery in 1849, Doug Hoverson tells the story of the state’s beer industry from the small-town breweries that gave way to larger companies with regional and national prominence (including Hamm’s, Grain Belt, and Schell’s) to the vibrant beer culture of today, led by a new wave of breweries such as Summit, Lake Superior Brewing Co., and Surly, as well as brewpubs like Town Hall Brewery, Fitger’s, and Granite City Brewpub, sustained by microbreweries, home brewers, and beer aficionados.

From the first illegal brewer at Fort Snelling to the craft brewers and major companies of today, nearly 300 breweries have opened and operated at one time or another in 125 cities and towns around the state. Complete with a comprehensive list of Minnesota’s breweries-including many never before listed in print-and more than 300 tempting illustrations of beer and breweriana, Land of Amber Waters marvelously chronicles Minnesota’s rich brewing traditions.

Awards

Minnesota Book Award winner

Doug Hoverson teaches social studies and coaches the debate team at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. He is associate editor of American Breweriana Journal, an award-winning homebrewer, and a certified beer judge.

Land of Amber Waters is a real triumph of American brewing history and is a must for every collector of brewing literature or breweriana.

Fritz Maytag

A heartfelt paean to the pioneering breweries of the Midwest, packed with details and excellent photos. Land of Amber Waters is sure to delight anyone interested in the storied history of American brewing.

Garrett Oliver, brewmaster of The Brooklyn Brewery and author of The Brewmaster’s Table

Minnesota’s proud and extraordinary beer and brewing history comes alive in Land of Amber Waters. Thoroughly written and researched it evokes not only nostalgia, but also a powerful thirst. Whether you are a beer geek, a history buff, or simply sipping a beer, you’ll find a worthy companion with Land of Amber Waters.

Charlie Papazian, author of The Complete Joy of Homebrewing

History buffs and beer lovers alike will find much to enjoy in Doug Hoverson's authoritative Land of Amber Waters. Hoverson brings to life Minnesota’s brewing past, and tells the stories of the new generation of craft brewers who are shaping its future.

Jeremy Iggers, food writer and restaurant critic

Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.

Dave Barry

Here’s a great book to read on a hot summer day while working up a thirst.

MARQ

Hoverson’s book would be the perfect read to go along with a cold one.

St. Paul Pioneer Press

The author has a clear grasp of trends in the brewing industry and seamlessly weaves national industry history into the Minnesota story. The volume features all you can ask for in a brewery history—an engaging style, thorough and well-documented research and meticulous editing. I highly recommend this book to all members of our club and consider it a must-read for anyone who resides in Minnesota or has an interest in its breweries.

Beer Cans & Brewery Collectibles

Doug Hoverson’s Land of Amber Waters: The History of Brewing in Minnesota is an impeccably illustrated compendium of the utmost quality—a premium product, if you will. Hundreds of glorious images enhance Hoverson’s already-fascinating text, which moves from brewing in the pioneer days all the way to brewery preservation. This is important to note for two reasons: A) This is a book that will undoubtedly be picked up by everyone who visits your house. B) At least for my delicate sensibilities, Amber Waters contains more information about “the nectar of the Gods” that I could possibly ever need. Besides being the bible for Minnesota beer culture, Amber Waters is notable for how diplomatically it spreads the love. Basically, if you appreciate any of Minnesota’s many wonderful brews, Amber Waters has your name written all over it.

Duluth Budgeteer News

There is much to glean from Hoverson’s book, even for the casual beer drinker.

Southwest Review

An intoxicating history of brewing in the North Star State.

Minnesota Monthly

If you have a thirst for brewery history you’ll find that Land of Amber Waters is as hard to put down as an ice-cold brew.

Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Every state should be so lucky as to have a history of local beers as lavish and immensely researched as Land of Amber Waters. Hoverson has an amazing appetite for Minnesota brews, and his affection for breweriana is clear on every page. You don’t have to be a fan of barley pop to appreciate the beautifully illustrated history.

Rochester Post-Bulletin

Doug Hoverson does a great job of relating the brewing history that brought the thirty-second state of the Union from sky-tinted to grain-infused waters.

All About Beer

Whether you are a history buff, a home brewer, or just a beer drinker, you’ll find something of interest in this book that covers Minnesota beer from territory days through Prohibition and on to today’s popular brew pubs.

The Ely Winter Times

Land of Amber Waters will bring alive the past and share the early influences of this industry.

Stillwater Evening Gazette

The next best thing to quaffing a cold beer in good company is reading about the amber stuff in this handsome and thoroughly researched book.

Lavender Magazine

If anyone wants a model for how to write a state brewing history, turn to Doug Hoverson’s Land of Amber Waters. Anyone interested in craft brewing will get a great deal of pleasure from this fine book.

American Brewer

It’s wonderfully cheeky in its writing and design, and, as the cover states, ‘will not cause biliousness.’ It will, however, make you thirsty.

Metro Magazine

A celebration of the new awakening of home and micro brewing in Minnesota.

The Land

It’s the little details that make this photo-packed book shine.

Duluth Budgeteer News

Land of Amber Waters marvelously chronicles Minnesota’s rich brewing traditions.

Hop Head News