Wild Fair Flavors
Minnesota and Iowa State Fairs Unveil Bold New 2026 Drink Lineups, Featuring Unique Flavors and Voting
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Key Points
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Minnesota's 2026 lineup includes Espressotini Frozen Seltzer (espresso martini-inspired frozen seltzer, 5% ABV, produced by Pryes Brewing in Minneapolis), Watermelon Sea Salt Lager (Japanese rice lager with watermelon; 4.5% ABV; Castle Danger Brewing in Two Harbors), and Pickle & Vine sparkling wine (12% ABV; Cannon River Winery in Cannon Falls), expanding beyond the previously highlighted Old Ranch Hand.
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The Star Tribune highlights additional Minnesota trends in the 2026 lineup, including lingonberry cider from Duluth and the continuing pickle-flavor trend extending into cider and wine, plus Dodopop’s dirty-soda entries in the fair drinks lineup.
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Iowa State Fair is adding more than 30 new drinks and invites fairgoers to vote for favorites in the Official Iowa State Fair App from August 13–19, with winners announced August 21 alongside the People’s Choice Best New Food.
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Minnesota's beer lineup includes notable West Coast IPAs: a Huckleberry West Coast IPA (7% ABV) and a Strawberry/Orange/Peach/Passion Fruit West Coast IPA (7% ABV), both brewed by Pryes Brewing Co. in Minneapolis and featured at Aldo's Burgers and Rooted & Wild by Snack House.
Pickle wine, ranch dressing beer, and an espresso martini frozen seltzer are among the boldest entries in the 2026 Minnesota State Fair's new drink lineup, which now tops 70 alcoholic options and 23 alcohol-free beverages, according to KSTP. Iowa is also joining the fun, adding more than 30 new drinks and letting fairgoers vote for their favorites through an official app.
Both fairs open this summer — Iowa runs August 13–23 and Minnesota follows August 27 through September 7. The announcements signal a clear shift: state fairs are treating their drink lineups with the same creative energy they've long applied to food, reports CBS News.
Minnesota's Wildest New Drinks Ranked by Boldness
Old Ranch Hand, a cream ale brewed with actual ranch dressing flavor, comes from Dual Citizen Brewing Co. in Saint Paul. Pickle & Vine is a sparkling wine with 12% ABV, made by Cannon River Winery in Cannon Falls. Both drinks lean into a pickle-and-savory trend that is showing up across beer, cider, and wine this year, CBS News reported.
Other standouts include the Espressotini Frozen Seltzer — an espresso martini-inspired slushie at 5% ABV from Pryes Brewing in Minneapolis — and the Watermelon Sea Salt Lager, a Japanese rice lager at 4.5% ABV from Castle Danger Brewing in Two Harbors. The Star Tribune also noted a lingonberry cider from Duluth and dirty-soda entries from Dodopop rounding out the non-traditional options.
Local Brewers Power Minnesota's Berry and Pickle Wave
Pryes Brewing Co. in Minneapolis is one of the fair's biggest contributors this year. The brewery is behind two West Coast IPAs: a Huckleberry version at 7% ABV and a Strawberry, Orange, Peach, and Passion Fruit version, also at 7% ABV. Both will be served at Aldo's Burgers and Rooted & Wild by Snack House, according to KSTP.
Spiral Brewery in Hastings is supplying dill pickle seltzer and related seltzer options. The push toward local producers is intentional. Minnesota's 2026 lineup connects nearly every drink to a specific Minnesota town and brewery, giving fairgoers a regional tasting tour without leaving the fairgrounds, the Star Tribune noted.
Iowa Lets Fans Vote on Their Favorite New Drinks
Iowa State Fair is adding more than 30 new drinks for 2026. The mix includes alcohol-free choices and handcrafted cocktails, KIMT reported. What sets Iowa apart is a public vote: fairgoers can pick their favorites through the Official Iowa State Fair App from August 13–19. Winners are announced August 21, alongside the People's Choice Best New Food award.
The voting mechanic turns drink selection into a shared event. It also gives the fair real-time data on what crowds actually want, KCCI reported. Iowa's approach pairs audience participation with a 30-plus drink debut — a smart way to build buzz before gates even open.
Pickle Flavors and Seltzers Define the 2026 Fair Drink Trend
Across both fairs, the clearest pattern is bold, playful flavor. Pickle is everywhere — in wine, cider, seltzer, and beer. Berry-forward profiles like huckleberry, strawberry, and lingonberry are close behind. Non-alcoholic drinks are getting serious attention too. Minnesota's 23 alcohol-free options are being listed for the first time as a dedicated category, KSTP noted.
The expansion shows a deliberate strategy. Fairs are broadening their appeal to non-drinkers and adventurous drinkers at the same time. With 70-plus alcoholic drinks in Minnesota alone, the goal is clear: give every fairgoer a reason to linger a little longer at the drink stand, CBS News reported.
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