Some updated thoughts on a recent visit to Duluth. Didn't take any notes but this is based off memory so not a lot of specifics on beers, etc. Thirsty Pagean still has great pizza but not much locally brewed beer as they are between brewers. Good craft taps though. The new place in Superior is legit. Earth Rider is turning out some really nice beers right out of the gate. Their stout was excellent but all throughout their offerings I was impressed for the most part. IPA was probably their weakest beer but it's not bad. Stayed at the hotel right by Hoops Brewing and made four different stops there. Had to have tried almost all of their 20+ offerings. This place is humming right along. Excellent beers on par with what Dave and his crew were turning out at Fitger's. Hefe was excellent this time. Much different and vastly improved from what they had out when they first opened during my first visit. UK Pale Ale was another favorite. A ton of great straightforward beers. Not one Hazy/New England IPA or Pale Ale which was actually refreshing to see. Nothing against those styles but it was nice to get away from them too. Smoked hefe had the perfect touch of smoke to it. Both Pilsners were well done. I could go on. The IPA's were both very good as were the other pale ales. I kept going back to the hefe and the UK Pale though as my favorites. Canal Park Brewing has a nice strawberry ale that hits the spot when thirsty. The rest of their beers were ok. IPA was average Blacklist Brewing. Nothing wrong with their beers here. They've got their niche and they are doing fine with what they do. Bent Paddle. Very impressive new taproom just a block from their old place. High quality beer. Wit was good. Rotator IPA excellent and some Pilot Beer pale ale was also excellent. Castle Danger. Maybe my favorite tap room in the state and they are still churning out well made beer. Honey Raspberry Wheat hit the spot nicely after the bike trip from Gooseberry to Silver Bay and back. Fitger's. I've always liked their Apricot wheat in the summer and it tasted as good as ever. Starfire Pale Reserve was quite good. Hazy IPA was decent enough. Not noticing a huge drop in quality and I'd still make it recommended stop.
My criticism of Castle Danger is during my visit they had a very limited tap selection. No taproom exclusives, just what you could buy in any store and not worth the drive up from Duluth. Have they expanded on their tap selections?
Yes. I remember that last year. This year they had the three Taproom series beers listed here for spring and summer on tap. Might have been one other one as well. I can't remember. https://www.castledangerbrewery.com/beer/
The Cedar Lounge was so Wisconsin. I half expected to be able to order an all your can eat fish fry there. Just a basic tavern they turned into their taproom. Nice stage for music but it was a Sunday when we were there and no-one was playing.
Bent Paddle seemed to be that way for a longtime. Looks to be different now with their new location.....? Also hoping Ursa Minor is open when APN comes around.
Reviewed a few of the Earth Rider beers I brought back in cans. Did not like the IPA as much as I indicated. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50612/337666/?ba=ZAP#review But really liked the Stout and Helles Lager. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50612/337667/?ba=ZAP#review https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/50612/337665/?ba=ZAP#review The others I had in the tap room were very good...including the barrel aged Valhalla Ale which was excellent and one of the best beers of the trip, and the Spirit Mountain IPA.
To open a new taproom, they had to have brewing on premises, so they made it a pilot system. It's nice to have a few options beyond the standard lineup.
