Several Northland-Made Beverages Available At The 2026 Minnesota State Fair
As the Minnesota State Fair sneaks up on us, we're getting the final handful of big announcements before the event gets underway at the end of August in the Twin Cities.
We recently got the new foods and (non-alcoholic) beverages that will be making their first appearances this year at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, but now we are getting a taste of the new alcoholic beverages appearing at the fair this year.
The fair calls these its "specialty sips", and they include cocktails, beers, ciders, wine, and other creations - some of which are non-alcoholic or "mocktail" style beverages.
In total, more than 300 brews and beverages will be at this year's Minnesota State Fair, with more than 60 new additions making their first-ever appearance at the fair.
One of the most buzzworthy of these "specialty sips" is the return of the soft-serve beer, which was the viral hit of 2025. The Royal Raspberry flavor is returning, but this year they are adding a Royal Peach flavor (pictured above)
READ MORE: Review Of Minnesota State Fair Soft Serve Royal Raspberry Beer
A vast majority of the specialty sips at the Minnesota State Fair are creations of Twin Cities area businesses. That said, 11 Northern Minnesota-made beverages will be representing the Northland at the 2026 fair.
Northern Minnesota-Made 'Specialty Sip' Beverages At The 2026 Minnesota State Fair
Of those 300+ specialty sips that will be at this year's fair, 11 of them are made by Northern Minnesota businesses. Two of them are returning favorites, and the other 9 are new this year.
Here's a look at each of them and where you'll be able to find them at the fair.
(NEW) Strawberry Guava Agua Fresca Cider (4.5% ABV) from Wild State Cider in Duluth. This new beverage can be found at The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center.
(NEW) Hazy Blueberry Cider (5% ABV) from Wild State Cider in Duluth. This new beverage can be found at Dino's Gyros, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson & Underwood Streets.
(NEW) Watermelon Sea Salt Lager (4.5% ABV) from Castle Danger Brewing in Two Harbors (seen in the photo below). This new beverage can be found at Dino's Gyros, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson & Underwood Streets.
(NEW) Aurora Tropical Drift (6.9% ABV) from Castle Danger Brewing in Two Harbors. This new beverage can be found at The Hangar, on the northeast corner of Underwood Street & Murphy Avenue.
(NEW) Candyman Blue Raspberry (4.1% ABV) from Bent Paddle Brewing Company in Duluth. This new beverage can be found at LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, south of Schilling Amphitheater.
(NEW) Hazy Pineapple Whip (5.8% ABV) from Castle Danger Brewing in Two Harbors. This new beverage can be found at Luther Auto Pit Stop, located on the east side of Cooper Street between Dan Patch & Judson Avenues.
(NEW) Lingonberry Orange Cider (5.4% ABV) from Wild State Cider in Duluth (seen in the photo below). This new beverage can be found at O’Gara’s at the Fair, located on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue & Cosgrove Street.
(NEW) Lemon Agua Fresca Lager (4.5% ABV) from Castle Danger Brewing in Two Harbors. This new beverage can be found at O’Gara’s at the Fair, located on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue & Cosgrove Street.
(NEW) Pickle Lemonade Cider (6.2% ABV) from Duluth Cider in Duluth. This new beverage can be found at Shanghai Henri’s, located at the International Bazaar, north section.
(RETURNING) Blood Orange Cream Ale (5.5% ABV) from Castle Danger Brewing in Two Harbors. This returning beverage can be found at O’Gara’s at the Fair, located on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue & Cosgrove Street.
(RETURNING) Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider (Gluten-free, 6% ABV) from Duluth Cider in Duluth. This new beverage can be found at Shanghai Henri’s, located at the International Bazaar, north section.
2026 Minnesota State Fair New Foods & Beverages
Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth
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