How do you rank Duluth area breweries right now?

A friend of mine speculated (WITH ZERO INSIDE KNOWLEDGE--pure, cold-filtered speculation) that maybe Hoops and Nelson will go start their own thing. That would be interesting.

Anyway, I hope Hoops ends up somewhere brewing beer that I can still easily access and that the Brewhouse continues cranking out the good stuff.

 

I'm aware of the timeframe. Speaks to the man's integrity more than anything. Might have been the thing that finally made them jump ship or at least start looking for new opportunities.

 

Fine, but you called them "recent". I was just pointing out the actual time frame.

 

I would speculate that it would be a production brewery. The couple articles that came out mentioned Nelson's frustrations about not being able to get the laws changed that prevent brewpubs from selling their beer in stores. I've read/head on a podcast similar accounts of Hoops being similarly frustrated, so it'd make sense that if they chose a new brewing venture, it'd be production.

 

All they would have to do is go over the bridge and start a new facility in Superior, distribution law problem solved. I know Superior isn't the nicest city on earth, but if beer has taught me anything, it's that if you brew good beer the people will come to you.

 

Superior? You mean "Inferior"...the whole city is a dive but guess where I go when in the area?.....Anchor for a burger....Thirsty Pagean for pizza and beer...(I also hit Fitger's usually but that is besides the point)

 

Exactly my point, quality food/beer brings people in. Just by driving through Superior, I get the impression that real estate must be relatively cheap, from the amount of abandoned buildings I see. That combined with the less strict alcohol laws, compared to MN, it would really make sense for someone to open a production facility there rather than in Duluth.

 

For me there is also a good record shop (The Vinyl Cave), a cheap motel (Superior Inn), and a serviceable bowling alley that I go to when I get the chance. Also a boatload of great dive bars.

 

Never been to The Vinyl Cave. Gonna have to check that one out next time up there.

 

1. Borealis Fermentery
2. Bent Paddle
3. Castle Danger
4. Blacklist
5. Thirsty Pagen
6. Fitgers
7. Voyageur Brewing (Grand Marais)
8. Lake Superior
9. Canal Park Brewing

 

Haven't quite tried enough to make a comprehensive list (only been here a year!) but I can offer my thoughts.

The greats: Bent Paddle, Castle Danger, Fitgers. If you forced an answer out of me at gunpoint, I'd probably rank Castle Danger up top followed by Fitgers and then Bent Paddle, but that keeps changing as I keep trying more of their stuff.

The good: Canal Park Brewing is good, not great. It makes a nice accompaniment for their great food and atmosphere, but I'm not in any rush to buy a growler.

The "Remind me to get more of these": Blacklist and Carmody's. I tried them at a sampling event a while back and have been meaning to grab some more of their stuff but never have yet. My memory of Blacklist was that they had really good stuff with quite a bit of character to it, and I might have to bring home a bottle or two to the family this Thanksgiving to try more. Carmody's had a good irish red, but I've been told their food isn't so good, so I haven't stopped by yet. Mind you, I was pretty new to the craft beer scene at the time, so my memory might be off.

Dunno: I tried Lake Superior Brewing Company at the same beer sampling but wasn't as impressed at any of their offerings. Maybe now that I've aged a bit I'll find something of theirs I like. I've never had Thirsty Pagan or Borealis yet, but I'll have to hunt them down one of these days.