Minnesota, land of 'Amber Waters'

Orth brewery
John Orth's brewery in St. Anthony, pictured here in 1880, was a busy place. At least four horse-drawn wagons are visbile, along with employees and some of their children. the stoop-roofed building behind the brewery is the malt house.
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

The interesting and colorful evolution of beermaking in Minnesota is documented in a new book published by the University of Minnesota Press.

"Land of Amber Waters: The History of Brewing in Minnesota" follows the changing industry as it goes from local to regional to national, and back again.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with author Doug Hoverson, who says before Minnesota became a territory in 1849, beer was something you made at home.

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