Hayes’ Public House and Tap Room: Buffalo, MN

Hayes’ Public House and Tap Room: Buffalo, MN

Want a cold beer on a warm day? Head to Hayes’ Public House and Tap Room in Buffalo, MN for delicious beer and a great view.

Hayes' Public House Buffalo, MN

My nephew recently had a baseball tournament in Buffalo, MN. Since it was the State Tournament for his age group, we knew we needed to cheer for him and his team. For anyone who has been to a sports tournament of any kind, you know you have 2 maybe 3 games with a set schedule ahead of time then the rest of the schedule is based on wins and losses.

I knew we may need the plan to kill time, based on the game schedule. Sure enough, we needed to find something to do for about 2 hours.

As a seasoned traveler, I always look for two different things when I need to fill time. One is a fun place to get food. And two, a local brewery. My search came up with one option and it was very close to the ball fields, Hayes’ Public House, and Tap Room.

We decided to check it out and I’m glad we did. Keep reading for details on Hayes’ Public House and why you need to make a trip to Buffalo, MN.

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Where is Hayes’ Public House located?

Only 50 minutes northwest of Minneapolis, Hayes’ Public House is located in downtown Buffalo, MN. It overlooks the northeast end of beautiful Buffalo Lake.

Hayes’ is within walking distance of both Buffalo Parkshore Pavilion in Sturges Park and the Downtown Commons Splash Pad. It’s a perfect place to grab a drink before taking part in the summer concerts or to cool off after a day of fishing.  

Traditional Hand Pull Taps

What makes Hayes’ unique?

Hayes’ Public House is a small-batch brewery and tap room. They brew many different types of beer including Lagers, Ales, Stouts, Porters, and my personal favorite IPAs. Since they are a small-batch brewery, the tap list changes frequently based on what is ready for serving.

The beer was amazing but what makes Hayes’ Public House really unique are the traditional hand pulls. I’ll be honest, until I went to Hayes, I had no idea what a traditional hand pull was or what made it different.

According to the Craft Beer & Brewing website, a beer engine (or hand pull) is a British pub device used for traditional cask ales. The beer casks are kept in a cellar under the bar and the bartender manually pumps the pull to draw the beer up and into the glass.

This method paired with the sparkler tips, carries more CO2 which gives the beer a smoother head to the beer in the glass.  

I was skeptical there would actually be a difference but it really does make a difference.

Want something extra? They will also smoke any of their beers for a unique twist to any of their brews.

Hayes' Public House IPA from a Traditional Hand Pull tap

Do they serve food?

Hayes’ Public House does not have a full menu. They do however work with local food trucks to offer guests something to eat. There are also several restaurants in the area and while we were there a DoorDash delivery driver brought in some food.

Check out their events page on their website for the food truck schedule.

They do offer a few snacks at the bar including an amazing soft pretzel the size of a dinner plate!!

Do they have a patio at Hayes’?

If the beer and traditional hand pulls are not enough to draw you in, you need to go to check out their patio. They actually have two outdoor seating options. The patio in the front of the building is filled with comfortable seating options for a relaxing afternoon.

They also have a rooftop deck with tables and chairs. A pergola provides some shade but the views of Buffalo Lake can’t be beat from here.

Access is only available from the outside and there is even a restroom up there!

View of Buffalo Lake from Hayes' Public House

What is the atmosphere like at Hayes’ Public House?

I’ve been to several pubs in Ireland and this reminded me of them. The walls are covered with black and white photos of musicians, athletes, and regular people. There are mounted fish, ducks, pheasants, and deer heads mixed in with numerous flags with family crests and football (aka soccer) team logos.

The mismatched tables and chairs give it an eclectic vibe and it works! I instantly felt like family when I walked in the door.

Why you should make a trip to Buffalo, MN to visit Hayes’

My regular subscribers know how much I love going to unique places. Hayes’ fits the bill! The beer is wonderful, the views of the lake are unmatched, and the welcoming vibe inside will make anyone feel instantly like they are at home.

The staff were knowledgeable and friendly. The live music on many weekends and Tunes on Tuesday events add to the charm of this local brewery.

If you have kids with you, no worries, they have 1919 Root Beer on tap.

Hayes’ Public House and Taproom is a must-see when visiting Buffalo, MN.

Happy travels and remember the world is full of adventures all around you. Get out there and explore!!

Stage at an Irish Pub in Buffalo, MN

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