Brewery Profile

Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery

In a Saint Paul beer scene that includes many modern taprooms, this stop stands out because the building itself is central to the visit. Bavarian immigrant Anton Waldmann and his wife Mina first established the site as a saloon in 1857, and the structure is described as the oldest surviving building of its type in the Twin Cities area. The present Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery was re-established in 2017 with a focus on traditional, house-made lagers and wursts. A visitor walking in should expect a small historic setting rather than a large production brewery. The restored frontier-era appearance, wood stoves, and lamplight shape the room’s character as much as the beer does.

Travelers seeking out Minnesota breweries often look for a sense of place along with the tap list, and this is one of the clearer examples in Saint Paul where the setting gives context to what is served. The emphasis is not on experimental beer names or a long list of rotating styles, at least from the information available, but on lagers made in a traditional manner and food that follows the same historical direction. The wurstery side matters to the experience: the house-made sausages are part of the concept, not an unrelated add-on. For visitors interested in older brewing traditions, German-influenced food, or historic buildings that still function as public gathering places, the stop fits naturally into a Twin Cities brewery itinerary.

Because the building is historic and physically limited, planning matters more here than it might at a larger taproom. The establishment is small, and larger groups should pay attention to posted service policies before arriving. Parties of eight or more incur an automatic 20% gratuity, and walk-in groups of twelve or more are subject to an additional 5% large-party fee. For current beer availability, the taproom is the place to confirm the day’s pours, since specific beer names and rotations are not established here. Visitors should also treat the ambiance as part of the reason to go: the lamplight, stoves, restored interior, lager focus, and wurst menu all point back to the site’s 19th-century saloon origins rather than to a generic brewery visit.

Bavarian immigrant Anton Waldmann and his wife Mina originally established this site as a saloon in 1857, making the building the oldest surviving structure of its type in the Twin Cities area. Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery was re-established in 2017, focusing on traditional, house-made lagers and wursts, reflecting the historical context of the original establishment. The operation emphasizes time-honored traditions in both craft brewing and culinary preparation. The facility was meticulously restored to its frontier-era appearance and utilizes wood stoves and lamplight for ambiance. Due to the physical limitations of the historic building, the establishment is small, and specific service policies apply to larger groups; parties of eight or more incur an automatic 20% gratuity, and walk-in groups of twelve or more are subject to an additional 5% large party fee.

Website available

445 Smith Ave N, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55102-2725

Phone: 651.222.1857

Website: http://www.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