The Quest for the Holy Grain - Best Brew Pubs
Minnesota

 

 

 

 

Fitger's Brewhouse
Brewery & Grille

600 East Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: (218) 722-8826

Fitger's is the historic "castle on the hill" of the quite active Duluth beer scene.
The renovated 1885 lakefront brewery consists of a hotel, shops, and restaurants, including the Brewhouse Brewery and Grille.
The small dining area was packed the Thursday evening I was there.
The space has limited seating, is dark, clubby, and features several rotating varietys of Fitger's beers.
I had the El Niño IPA which was pretty tasty.

 

 

Canal Park Brewing Company
300 Canal Park Dr
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 464-4790

Less than a mile away from Fitger's via Lakewalk, is the
Canal Park Brewing Company.

Founded in 2012, this modern, well lit brewery is like the yang to Fitger's yin.
I had the seasonal 2013 Wet Hop Harvest Ale. At 65 IBU, this was the hoppiest beer on the menu.
Like Fitger's, Canal Park was also packed. So crowded, in fact, I had to wait for a seat at the bar.
The employees at both bars are friendly, very knowledgeable about beer, and proud to be "Northcoasters."
I'm already looking forward to returning to Duluth and sampling more local beers, though maybe not in the winter.