New Ulm, Minnesota: Schell's - German Brewery Fun

Schell Brewery is the 2nd oldest brewery in the U.S. They offer daily tours at $3 per person and it includes a nice beer tasting for those 21 and older after. There are beautiful gardens and gift shop and bier garden as well.

Schell's brewery dates to 1860 and is the second oldest in the US. Built in a hilly niche above New Ulm, it's like stepping back into Germany of the 1800's. Past the old brewery is an authentic mansion, complete with gardens, a deer park, hummingbirds, and preening peacocks. On Summer Saturdays, follow the lederhosen-clad Fuhrer ("leader", auf Deutsch) who conducts casual tours of the premises. The tour ends with freely poured brewskis (pils, pale ale, Octoberfest Schmaltz's alt, others) in the tap room; prosit! Drop a few Marks at the better-than-average gift shop in the old workers' quarters, and inspect a museum of pre- and post-Prohibition brewery artifacts while you sober up a bit.