The calendar may still say Fall, but with winter-like weather already here, many Minnesotans are finding themselves more and more indoors.

With eight long months of COVID-19 precautions and social distancing already behind us, though, many are over the feelings of fear and anxiety this season has brought and are eager to get back to the things we enjoy doing -- including going out for drinks. As a craft beer enthusiast myself, I turned to Google Reviews to find the top-rated breweries and taprooms in the listening area. Here's what I found!

#1 Milk & Honey Ciders, St. Joe
4.8 out of 5 Stars
226 Total Reviews

While technically not a brewery, I included St. Joseph's Milk & Honey Ciders on the list for its taproom atmosphere and limited cider menu. Not the only local establishment to receive a 4.8 out of 5-star review, Milk & Honey Cider does currently have more reviews than the other ones with a similar rating. Here are a couple recent reviews from visitors:

#2 Bad Habit Brewing Co., St. Joe
4.8 Stars
224 total reviews

With a 4.8 star rating out of 5, Bad Habit Brewing in St. Joseph was just two reviews short of Milk & Honey's #1 spot, though it does technically earn the #1 spot in the brewery category. Bad Habit has very few poor ratings, and for good reason -- their beer is fantastic, their (new) taproom is fantastic and the staff are fantastic! Don't just take my word for it, though; here are what others are saying on Google:

#3 Beaver Island Brewing Co.
4.8 Star
220 total reviews

Open since 2015, BIBCO is one of the "oldest" microbreweries in St. Cloud, as much as we can call it old. Well-established and one of the largest production/distribution breweries in the St. Cloud area, its 4.8 star rating on Google Reviews speaks to its well-earned respect within the local community.

#4 Pantown Brewing Co.
4.7 Stars
116 total Reviews

Open since December 2018, Pantown Brewing Company in the old Pantown Neighborhood of St. Cloud is still the new kid on the block. That said, Pantown also seems to have earned the respect of its community and peers early on with a strong 4.7 out of 5 star rating and positive reviews like these:

#5 Granite City Food & Brewery
4.2 Stars
605 total reviews

Granite City's place on our list could be arguable; technically it's not a microbrewery like the others. BUT it does show up as a result when Googling breweries in the area, and it offers a full menu if you're looking for a meal to go with your drinks, unlike the others on the list. With its own 4.2 star rating, Granite City proves it can hang with the rest still.

Have a favorite local brewery/taproom space in St. Cloud?