Pulling The Lager Queen of Minnesota from the Lucky Day bookshelves at Buckham Memorial Library in Faribault proved my lucky day. I’m always up for discovering a new-to-me Minnesota author like J. Ryan Stradal.
Yes, I admit a partiality for Minnesota writers and/or books with a strong Minnesota bend. The Lager Queen is both, although native-born and raised Stradal now lives in Los Angeles. I’ll forgive him for moving to the West Coast because I love his bestselling book that much.
You know a book is good when you don’t want to put it down, when all you want to do is keep reading, despite life’s obligations. I finished the book in days, not a single day, only because, well, I can’t realistically devote an entire day to reading.
As the cover art and title suggest, this is a book about beer. But not just beer. The Lager Queen is also a book about strong women, generations of women in one family who overcome challenges and tragedy. Stradal creates strong characters who grow and evolve and stretch themselves.
This is a story, too, about how generations interconnect, about relationships broken and built, about decisions that ripple their impact.
This is a story, too, of place, of Minnesota. There’s a familiarity in setting, both of real places and fictionalized locations.
As a fan of craft beer, I appreciated learning more about the business through Stradal’s writing. And, yes, he tapped into the knowledge of real craft brewers in Minnesota and beyond. I almost felt like I should be drinking a Minnesota-made craft beer while reading The Lager Queen of Minnesota.
Cheers to a Minnesota-rooted author whom I hope will continue to write similar books. Because I’m a fan. Even if I prefer IPAs to lagers.
FYI: Stradal is also the author of the New York Times bestseller, Kitchens of the Great Midwest.
© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I am putting this one on my reading list! Thanks so much for sharing – Happy Reading and Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
I’m pretty certain you will love this book.
I started reading the book today during lunch. Great read – loving it so far 🙂
I knew you would like The Lager Queen of Minnesota. I picked up his Kitchens of the Great Midwest. When I’m finished with This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger, one of my favorite Minnesota authors, I’ll read Kitchens. Minnesota has such a great group of fine writers.
Love Krueger too! I love a good John Sandford read too.
I’m with you on Sandford also.
Thanks for the recommendation. I enjoyed Kitchens of the Great Midwest after buying it on a whim at a Duluth bookstore.
-Jocelyn
You are welcome, Jocelyn. I’m pretty certain you will love The Lager Queen of Minnesota. I especially appreciate the strong female characters.
Thank you also for supporting that Duluth bookstore.
As a beer drinker ( I wasn’t when I started) I had an opportunity to get a brew called Cold Spring right there in Minnesota. Almost ruined me from drinking beer for life! I can get one beer, locally made for under $10 for a 12 pack! And – it is good! However, Southern beers are distinctly different than Northern beers. I do have a preference for Lagers. One of my favorites was discontinued a few years ago that was light, with subtle lemon, tequila and Agave (sweet) flavors. It went down so WELL on days where temps were pushing past the 100 degree level. I am always up fro a good brew and a good book. Thanks
I hope you enjoy the book, Gunny. FYI, I don’t like the beer from Cold Spring.
Sounds like a book I need to add to my “to buy” list while I am home this time.
I think you’ll enjoy this distinctly Minnesota book.
i bought this awhile ago in my favorite independent bookstore in Brevard and meant to tell you about it -bet I didn’t! I loaned it to my friend Beth who has an appreciation of beer but is a Southern gal so I wanted to introduce her to a little midwestern charm as well. I enjoyed the book and thought it was well written with characters that were believable and interesting.
I’m curious how your Southern gal friend felt abut the book???
Glad you enjoyed The Lager Queen of Minnesota.
I don’t think she has finished it yet but I am sure she will like it as well.