Minnesota Has Deep “Roots” in Root Beer

The weather is changing, and we’re in the final “warmer” days of the year. So many folks spent the heat of their summer with a cold one in their hands. Something to hit the spot when the temperatures get into the upper realm for Minnesota. 

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For those who don’t drink alcohol, but they still want something cold to quinch their thirst, Minnesota is home to a few different Root Beer brands that fit the bill quite nicely. 

Killebrew Root Beer: Killebrew Beverages has been manufacturing beverages since 1996. Some of the key ingredients can be found right here like the cold, spring water they use and of course Minnesota based honey.  

The company, named for Minnesota Twins Great Harmon Killebrew, takes pride in the quality of the beverages they distribute which has led them to be served at Target Field, as well as distributed to grocery stores, liquor stores, and restaurants in Minnesota, the Dakota’s, Iowa and Wisconsin.  

Be on the lookout for the “Old Fashioned” Root Beer and Cream Soda from Killebrew's, which is distributed from RJM Distribution in Ramsay.  

1919: This delicious Minnesota based Root Beer is named for the year that prohibition began, but has been around since the 1980’s. When making alcoholic beverages was outlawed in 1919, one thing breweries did to stay in business was to make Root Beer. 

They found that the “brewery” process produced a taste that other Root Beer’s, heck other beverages in general, couldn’t reproduce. 1919 is made in small batches with real sugar and real vanilla. 

Made in New Ulm Minnesota, 1919 has become a staple for many in the Mid-West.  

Dorothy’s Isle of Pines Root Beer: Made by nurse Dorothy Molter aka “The Root Beer Lady” who was called that after she began to make Root Beer using clear, cold water from Knife Lake to make her Isle of Pine’s Root Beer. 

Dorothy ran the Isle of Pines Resort in the Northwoods and routinely had planes bring supplies to her there and land on the water for the deliveries. After a ban from the Federal Government banned planes from landing on the water with supplies. 

Dorothy began making Root Beer using empty glass bottles she had on hand and to provide cold drinks to visitors to the island. She would use Root Beer syrup from various places combined with her brewing process.  

It is said between 1976 and 1986, Dorothy made over 10,000 bottles of her Root Beer per summer. Dorothy’s recipe is on display along with other items at the Dorothy Molter Museum in Ely Minnesota.  

Even if you don’t particularly enjoy Root Beer, hopefully you enjoy the history it has in our state.