Trip to MN

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by Jonc, Jul 5, 2018.

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  1. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    Planning a trip to MN. I am coming up from Missouri, through Des Moines then to Minneapolis. From Minneapolis, I will drive up to Hinckley. From Hinkley, Wife and I will park and be on touring bicycles to Duluth. We'll spend a whole day and night in Duluth then turn around and head back to Hinkley.

    Then it's back home to Missouri, but not without a stop in Minneapolis.

    We'll be on touring bicycles, camping. We carry our tent, etc. with us.

    Here is my Questions:

    We'll be in Duluth on the bicycles on a Monday. We'll probably arrive before noon. I notice many breweries in Duluth, some of them concentrated to a smallish area. Some are closed on Mondays, most of them are open.

    I did notice a couple breweries in Wisconsin that we would be able to reach by bike easily.

    Where to go?

    We'll be in Minneapolis on a Friday, on our way back home. Probably be able to get there, unload the bikes and go for a ride. We have a trip already planned out on bike paths. It's a triangle.

    It's generally is a loop that starts in downtown, North to the Warehouse District, West out through Target Field. Pedal out to Cedar Lake and head back on the trail near near East 29th more or less, back to the river and back North to downtown.

    I tried to explain this the best I could. I've researched everything in between these areas we are traveling. That was easy, they are few. Looking mainly for Duluth breweries and Minneapolis. Also anything in Superior.

    Note: We will be on bicycles in Duluth and Minneapolis.

    Thanks ahead of time.

    Jon
     
    #1 Jonc, Jul 5, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2018
  2. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    why style of beer are you Looking for?
     
    #2 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Jul 5, 2018
  3. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    In Superior WI, You have the Cedar Lounge/Earth Rider Brewery which has good beer. Close by is the Thirsty Pagen, not sure how good there beer is since they have a new brewer. Pizza here also. Close by is VIP pizza not a brewery but has good pizza.
    http://www.vintageitalianpizza.com/
    https://cedarlounge.beer/#location-hours

    Note there are Water Falls in the area, but there out a ways.
    About 13 miles South Of Superior is :
    https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/pattison/
    https://www.travelwisconsin.com/nat...&utm_medium=tw_post&utm_content=natural_parks
     
    #3 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Jul 5, 2018
  4. Victory_Sabre1973

    Victory_Sabre1973 Grand Pooh-Bah (5,445) Sep 15, 2015 Minnesota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    #4 Victory_Sabre1973, Jul 5, 2018
  5. islay

    islay Savant (1,211) Jan 6, 2008 Minnesota

    This comprehensive and up-to-date brewery map (linked) should come in handy.

    The most highly regarded or at least buzzed-about breweries in Duluth are Fitger's, Bent Paddle, and Hoops.

    In Minneapolis, Sisyphus is a superb little brewery that seems to be near your route. Utepils is a strong, continental European-influenced brewery not far away. I think the impressive Steel Toe in St. Louis Park is pretty close as well.

    It's a couple (but only a couple) of miles out of your way (east of the easternmost point of your planned route), but I do recommend going to Surly's giant Minneapolis brewery and taproom. There are bike paths that will take you straight there, or, for a $2 ticket (no extra for the bikes), you can take your bikes onto the light rail train (Green Line) to the Prospect Park station, and then it's just a few extra blocks to Surly.
     
    #5 islay, Jul 6, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2018
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  6. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Ya in Minneapolis if running out of time or getting worn out, Just jump on a train or bus. Bikes are not a problem
     
    #6 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Jul 6, 2018
  7. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    I'm open, IPA, NEIPA a good stout, porters brewed with traditional ingredients. No sours.

    Cedar Lounge and Pagen in WI are on the list of possibles.

    Moose Lake is on the list. I'll be camped there two different nights at the campground. Hope It's good! The trail runs right through Moose Lake.

    I've been to Surly a couple times, it is well within riding distance for us. We enjoy long bike rides, 30-40-50 miles. Surprised they don't have a brewery at that BIG MALL! The brand of bicycles my wife and I ride are "Surly". They are based in Minneapolis but unrelated to the brewery.

    Thanks everyone, this will get me off to a good start. Plan on hitting 2-3 breweries in Duluth and probably about the same number in Minneapolis.

    If you know of a good safe place to park for the day and some of the evening near downtown Minneapolis, suggestions welcome. I thought about parking at Surly, but I like em' too much to hog a space up for that long. Gotta fit a large cargo van, so no garage. We've found a few places near downtown that would work.
     
    #7 Jonc, Jul 6, 2018
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  8. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Duluth/Superior I highly recommend the pizza at Thirsty Pagean, the Burger at Anchor, the Beer at Cedar Lounge/Earth Rider. In Duluth top spots are Hoops, Bent Paddle and Fitgers. If I had to condense those would be my marks.
     
    #8 ZAP, Jul 7, 2018
  9. islay

    islay Savant (1,211) Jan 6, 2008 Minnesota

    OP, you may want to stop at HammerHeart in Lino Lakes, a northern Twin Cities suburb/exurb. I wouldn't say its beer necessarily matches your stated preferences, but it does some very good and interesting work, mostly in the smoked beer space (which, of course, limits its appeal). I rank it among the top ten breweries in the state. It's also right on the way from Duluth to Minneapolis.
     
    #9 islay, Jul 7, 2018
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  10. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Bent Paddle is closed on Monday. but you should find some of there beers on tap at bars/restaurants. Castle Danger is a long bike ride but there beer is around at bars also
     
    #10 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Jul 7, 2018
  11. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    I noticed Bent Paddle closed on Mondays also. After our bike ride we will drive up to Two Harbors and camp a couple days at a campground which is close to Castle Danger. Also check out some trails along the shore. Should be fun.

    I've made me a cheat sheet with all of the suggestions I have been given so far. I also got a couple PMs with suggestions. I'm leaning towards Fitger's and Hoops in Duluth and maybe Thirsty Pagan (pizza too) and Earth rider in WI. In Minneapolis Fulton, Modist and Sisyphus which are right on our loop. I did look up the names of the trails I will be on there, Midtown Greenway, Cedar Lake Trail and the West River Parkway. Makes a big triangle.

    Thanks everyone,

    It will be a great trip!

    Jon
     
    #11 Jonc, Jul 7, 2018
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  12. threedjmay

    threedjmay Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2014 Iowa

    Dangerous Man and Indeed would be my recommendation to include in Minneapolis.


     
    #12 threedjmay, Jul 7, 2018
  13. KarlHungus

    KarlHungus Grand Pooh-Bah (3,315) Feb 19, 2005 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    FYI, parts of the Midtown Greenway will be closed starting later this month due to construction on I-35W. There is nothing worth while beerwise close to the part that will remain open.

    If you're just looking for a good ride in Minneapolis, the trails around Lake Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, and Lake of the Isles are great, and close to Sysiphus Brewing.
     
    #13 KarlHungus, Jul 7, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2018
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  14. morimech

    morimech Grand Pooh-Bah (3,803) Nov 6, 2006 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    If your choices are Sisyphus or Modist, Hit Sisyphus.
     
    #14 morimech, Jul 8, 2018
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  15. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    We did the Gitchi Gami bike trail from Gooseberry Falls to Silver Bay and back in June. I'd recommend it but there are a lot of hills without the ability to use speed to go back up. Might not be a big deal if you're a big time biker but I'm a bit of a husky big boned lad and carrying that cargo up steep inclines from the bottom with no momentum was a bit troubling at times.

    I think it was 35 miles or something like that but I found it harder than the flat 65 miler we did last week. Very scenic ride.
     
    #15 ZAP, Jul 8, 2018
  16. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'd second this. Nothing against Modist.
     
    #16 ZAP, Jul 8, 2018
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  17. Jonc

    Jonc Initiate (0) Feb 12, 2007 Missouri

    We're going to have a whole day up there to check out that exact trail. I'm used to flattish trails, but I think the scenery will keep us going.



    Thanks for the heads up!
     
    #17 Jonc, Jul 8, 2018
  18. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (941) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    That quote must have come from the Pennys store clerk & your mom back when she took you shopping for school clothes, heehee, just messing w/ you Zap!

    Have you made any recent trips to Starry Eyed Brewing in Little Falls?
     
    #18 barrybeerdog, Jul 9, 2018
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  19. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (4,048) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    You got me chuckling here because you are right on the money with that thought regarding the Penny's store clerk and my mom. Right on the money.

    I have been to Starry Eyed two or three times this summer and I think they are doing some pretty solid things. They have a ton of beers on tap usually and a lot of goofy things which are fun to try but not to drink a ton of. For instance: Caramel Apple Ale, Spearmint porter or stout or something like that. Interesting small batch things and some good if not great IPA's. One with Galaxy that was pretty good.

    I see right now they have Butter Pecan Porter, Strawberry Rhubarb Blonde on.

    I like them. I usually make a point to stop in and try a few things when going through the area.
     
    #19 ZAP, Jul 9, 2018
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  20. GeneralBurden

    GeneralBurden Initiate (0) Oct 14, 2011 Minnesota
    Trader

    Hi Karl, can you share the source of the info on the closure you mentioned? The Greenway Coalition has made no announcements on social media regarding any closure this year. They are pretty good about keeping the public informed since it is used heavily for commuting.
     
    #20 GeneralBurden, Jul 9, 2018
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