The Best Breweries in Duluth, MN

Are you looking for some of the best breweries in Duluth, MN? You have come to the right place! Minnesota’s biggest lakeshore city is known for a number of things- outdoor recreation activities, tourism, and of course, its award-winning beer.

There are 10,000 different breweries in the land of Minnesota. Regardless of the city, you will find loads of wonderful options, and Duluth is no exception.

Breweries began springing up in Duluth in the 1800s and soon, it became known for its delicious drinks. Here are some of the best breweries that have unique styles and flavors.

• Ursa Minor Brewing
• Hoops Brewing Company
• Bent Paddle Brewing Company
• Castle Danger Brewery
• Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery and Grille
• Canal Park Brewery
• Thirsty Pagan Brewing

Ursa Minor Brewing

Ursa Minor Brewing is a great brewery located in Duluth, where you can try a batch of fresh, rotating craft beer from the brewery’s taproom. This brewery aims to provide its customers with authentic experiences, wonderful beer, meaningful opportunities, and interactions so that people always want to come back here.

Customers have raving reviews of the Bear-ista which is a milky, sweet tout. This is brewed with Underwood Coffee, making it an instant favorite among the regulars. Little Arrow Blend has been added, which adds to the wonderful characteristics of the drink and goes well with the smooth stout. The best part is that the coffee flavors are not empowering!

Hoops Brewing Company

Hoops Brewing Company is known for its wonderful atmosphere, craft beers, and ideal location. Customers can pop by the brewery to enjoy the various beers while getting a great view of the beer hall. This brewery has been around since 2017 and holds space for more than 250 people. It provides a total of 30 different handcrafted beers that only use the pure water of Lake Superior.

This brewery has been producing simple yet exotic brews. You can expect to find 15 to 30 beers on tap here, regardless of the time you come. One of the most popular beers here include the Mango Wheat- a hazy, orange beer that is beautiful to look at. You can find aromas of candied fruit, mango, and some flowers. This beer tastes sweet, juicy, crispy, and fresh. Even though this beer has a sweet aftertaste, it is not overpowering at all. In fact, the taste of this beer will leave you coming back for more.

Bent Paddle Brewing Company

Another wonderful craft brewery in Duluth, Bent Paddle Brewing Company, offers a comfortable taproom to customers. Founded in 2013, this brewery has long-term sustainability goals for its community, climate, workers, and business. Its mission has been to “bend the tradition” by creating well-balanced drinks with a creative and innovative twist.

Bent Paddle Brewing Company is known for its black ale and pilsner- both of which have become its flagship beers. The best-liked beer that you must absolutely try when you visit this brewery is the Wilderness Tuxedo. This is an American kettle sour that has a red cherry-colored body and lots of bubbles. It is impossible to not notice the aroma of berries and pineapple when you first bring this beer up to sip. Even though it is a sour drink, the berry and pineapple provide a well-balanced sweetness. Moreover, this drink has a wonderful texture and great carbonation.

Castle Danger Brewery

Castle Danger Brewery has been brewing beer since 2011 and has become a quick favorite in the area. If you are taking a day trip and want to get out of the city, Castle Danger Brewery is a great place to try. They have seasonal brews, as well as regular brews that are available throughout the year. Even though there is no food available here, the brewery does serve chips and salsa, as well as pretzels, to ensure that customers do not drink on an empty stomach.

Turn Up the Good is a great beer to try at Castle Danger Brewery. It has tropical and citrus notes, as well as flavors of melon, grapefruit, and orange. If you do not like overly bitter beers, this drink is definitely for you!

Best Breweries in Duluth with Food

Here are a few more fantastic breweries in Duluth that have magical food pairings for their top-tier beers.

Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery and Grille

If you are looking for a place that serves house-brewed beer in a cozy, comfortable environment, you should definitely put this brewery on your list of must-visit places in Duluth, MN. The micro-brewed beer is handcrafted on-site and has been popular for many years. In fact, this brewery is known to be the first brewpub that Duluth ever had.

A crowd favorite is the Apricot Wheat- perfect for individuals who like fruity drinks. This beer has a beautiful golden orange body and looks aesthetic when it is poured with its white lacing. It includes strong scents of apricot, but the taste of apricot is not as overpowering as the scent. There are also notes of wheat in this combination. Smooth, light, and airy, this drink is great for hot summer days. Enjoy this beer with the wild rice burger for the ultimate combination. Trust us when we say that there is no better combination than the Apricot Wheat and the wild rice burger!

Canal Park Brewery

Canal Park Brewery is known for brewing on-site. This is on our list of best breweries in Duluth, MN, because of its wonderful location and view- it has a big bar and dining area, along with a beautiful outdoor patio with a bonfire and gorgeous views of Lake Superior.

There are many popular brews that you can try here, including the Stoned Surf, Superior Swell, and Laze Haze. The best part of this brewery is the food- it is absolutely delicious! Some items to pair with the drinks mentioned above include fish tacos, and tempura Walleye, and you can never go wrong with fish and chips. If you are not a seafood lover, you can also try salads, sandwiches, and burgers. This is one of the few breweries that also provide vegan options in an attempt to be inclusive.

Thirsty Pagan Brewing

One of the oldest breweries in Duluth, Thirsty Pagan opened its doors to the public in 1996. It is known for its locally crafted brews, and you can find lots of beers that differ in alcohol content and type. This is the brewery’s way of ensuring that there is something available for everyone to try.

Some popular brews that you should try when you visit Thirsty Pagan Brewing include Hot to Trotsky Rye Ale and UFFDA Pale Ale. You cannot visit this brewery and not try the food- that would be an ultimate crime because of how delicious it is. The deep-dish pizza is a crowd favorite- something that you can never go wrong with. Moreover, the brewery also serves a gluten-free pizza that uses cauliflower to make the crust. If you are looking for something light, ask for the homemade soup that the brewery provides or try the meatball sub.