Duluth for Christmas

Anything with the words "Cold Press" from Bent Paddle. Or for that matter, anything from Bent Paddle. Probably the crown jewel of breweries in an area rich in good breweries. Also, go across the bridge to Thirsty Pagan. Good pizza, even better beer. Best to do it on the 21st though cause, yeah, the whole Sunday = no retail beer sales in Minnesota.

 

Sadly, I won't be in the area until the night of 12/23, otherwise I would totally try to meet up. I would second Bent Paddle and Thirsty Pagan. 7 West Tap House in Duluth and V.I.P. in Superior are probably the best spots to stop for craft beer bars. I'd also throw in the suggestion of Fitger's, and Canal Park Brewing Co. for breweries/taprooms. Hope you have a fun trip!

If you keep your eyes peeled, you might find a place with Surly Darkness on tap. I saw in the December What's On Tap thread that Endion Station in Canal Park had a keg on earlier this week.

 

Wow Bent Paddle has surpassed Fitger's? I'll second Pagan but would say the Pizza is the better of the two mainly because I think their pizza is as good as it gets..

 

There's some good stuff out that way.

Borealis Fermentery makes some really cool Belgian style beers. http://borealisfermentery.com/

Indeed is available up that way. Don't pass up Day Tripper. That shit is legit. http://www.indeedbrewing.com/

If you hop over the bridge to Superior everything seems to be cheaper. There's a liquor store right as soon as you enter WI called Keyport that has a taplist for growler fills. Go there. http://keyportliquors.com/

Thirsty Pagan is a brewpub in Superior, as well, that does some really cool, interesting things.

Fitgers is good beer-wise but don't expect any kind of good food.

If you want to check out the gem of Duluth get to Northern Waters Smokehaus. It's tiny, and surrounded by all of Duluth's shitty TGIF-style restaurants but it's great. Sandwiches and charcuterie are great without even to mention the smoked fish... also great. Whitefish dip! http://www.northernwaterssmokehaus.com/

And, as mentioned above, Bent Paddle.

 

That's simply not true. Their wild rice burger is legit.

 

Yeah I've found their food comparable to most brew pub places...solid...

 

The food isn't bad by any means, just seems pretty run of the mill.

 

Best artichoke dip appetizer in the history of artichoke dip.

Was up last week and they had Slippery Slope milk stout w/ hint of coconut on tap. Extremely delicious if you like milk stouts. Reminded me of Surly Four with a tiny bit of coconut.