Brewery Profile

Waldmann Brewery

In St. Paul’s varied brewery scene, this is the stop that foregrounds history as much as beer. Waldmann Brewery operates in the oldest surviving saloon building in the Twin Cities, a structure dating to 1857 and restored to reflect its frontier-era appearance. A visitor walking in should expect a brewery and full-service restaurant built around that context rather than a generic taproom model. The project was re-established in 2017 as a tribute to original founder Anton Waldmann, a Bavarian immigrant, and the connection to that era shapes both the brewing and the food. The emphasis is on traditional craft, German brewing reference points, and a German-American “Wurst und Bier” experience.

Travelers seeking beer in Minnesota often look for places with a clear local identity, and this one fits by tying St. Paul’s pre-Prohibition saloon history to contemporary brewing. The beer program centers on classic German styles, especially historical lager traditions, using traditional malts and noble hop varieties. The brewery also works with heritage-inspired ingredients at times, producing modern interpretations rather than simply recreating the past. Food is a central part of the visit, not an add-on. The kitchen features house-made wursts, including bratwurst and curry-brat, made locally from recipes using veal and pork sourced from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. That makes the stop especially relevant for visitors who want a beer experience connected to regional food as well as brewing history.

Because the brewery functions as a full-service restaurant, it is suited to a meal-length visit rather than only a quick pint. The taproom is the place to confirm the day’s pours, since the available beers may vary and specific beer names are not fixed here. Visitors interested in German styles, lager-focused brewing, or historic buildings will find the clearest reasons to go. Those looking for a broad national-style tap list, experimental branding, or a production-focused tour should check current offerings before making plans. The most reliable expectation is a restored historic setting, a brewing program rooted in German tradition, and a food menu built around locally made wursts.

Waldmann Brewery operates as a tribute to its 1857 origins, having been re-established in 2017 within the oldest surviving saloon building in the Twin Cities. The brewing program centers on classic German styles, utilizing traditional malts and noble hop varieties, often supplemented by heritage-inspired ingredients to produce modern interpretations of historical lagers. This approach reflects the work of original founder Anton Waldmann, a Bavarian immigrant. The facility also functions as a full-service restaurant, emphasizing the German-American combination of "Wurst und Bier." Food service features house-made wursts, including award-winning bratwurst and curry-brat, manufactured locally using recipes that source veal and pork from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. The physical location was meticulously restored to its frontier-era appearance, maintaining a focus on traditional craft and historical context.

Website available

445 Smith Ave N, St Paul, MN 55102, USA, St Paul, Minnesota, 55102

Phone: 651.222.1857

Website: http://waldmannbrewery.com/

Hours: Mon - Thu 3:00pm to 9:00pm Fri - Sat Noon to 10:00pm Sun Noon to 9:00pm Kitchen closes one hour prior to house