The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal is a heartwarming story of family, forgiveness, and second chances—served with a cold Midwestern brew.
 
Two sisters inherit very different futures after their father’s death—one builds a brewery empire, the other scrapes by on a struggling farm. Years later, a grandmother’s unlikely passion for craft beer may be the key to healing old wounds.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
Warm, character-driven storytelling with humor and heart
A charming look at Midwestern life and craft beer culture
Themes of resilience, ambition, and reconciliation
Strong, relatable female characters
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of contemporary literary fiction with heart
Readers who enjoy food-and-drink–centered novels
Book clubs looking for family drama with humor
Anyone who loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
 
When Helen and Edith’s father leaves the family farm to one daughter and not the other, a rift forms that stretches across decades. Edith transforms her inheritance into a thriving brewery business, while Helen remains behind, working tirelessly to keep the farm afloat. Pride, resentment, and misunderstandings keep the sisters apart.
 
Enter Diana, Helen’s spirited granddaughter, whose unexpected talent for brewing craft lager opens the door to new opportunity—and perhaps long-overdue reconciliation. With humor, warmth, and a deep affection for Midwestern resilience, J. Ryan Stradal crafts a story about family fractures and the courage it takes to mend them.
 
The Lager Queen of Minnesota is as refreshing as its title suggests.