Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’ plans for the phased reopening of bars, restaurants, and places of “public accommodation” announced on May 20 is being met with mixed feelings by the state’s brewery and distillery owners. Starting on June 1, the state will enter into Phase 2 of its four-phase approach which aims to contain the spread … [ Read more]
Buzzed Beer: How brewers fuse beer with coffee, plus seven java brews to try
September 27, 2017 by
Cortado. Americano. Iced caramel latte, sugar-free, no whip. The options are endless—almost amusingly so—for ordering a cup of morning joe these days. As for coffee-infused beers, the options are just as plentiful, with most breweries serving up at least one French-press-meets-fermenter concoction. Whether adding grounds, dumping cold press into the fermenter, or adding brewed coffee … [ Read more]
New Duluth Huskies ticket package includes trip to brewery
May 24, 2017 by
There are plenty of opportunities to grab a fresh, local beer at a sports game these days, but one Minnesota baseball team is taking things to the next level by bringing fans straight to the beer source. The Duluth Huskies baseball club has teamed up with the Duluth Experience, a local tour company specializing in brewery … [ Read more]
Bent Paddle Brewing Co. paddles into western Wisconsin
April 24, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Bent Paddle Brewing‘s beer is eastward bound, as the brewery’s distribution footprint extends further into Wisconsin. The Duluth brewery has partnered with not one, but two distributions—Dean Distributing of Green Bay, Wisconsin, as well as Beechwood Sales & Service out of New Berlin. The new territory includes the northeastern counties of Ashland, Iron, Oneida, Vilas, Forest, … [ Read more]
Trailblazers 2016
November 30, 2016 by Leave a Comment
What’s the value of a brewery’s stance on mining? Why be concerned with obscure English apples? What’s so important about a chicken sandwich at a stadium? Why does it matter if a basketball team weighs in on current events? The answer to all those questions is the same: it makes a difference. There are people … [ Read more]
Trailblazers 2016: Colin Mullen, Laura Mullen, Bryon Tonnis, and Karen Tonnis of Bent Paddle Brewing
November 30, 2016 by Leave a Comment
When we talk about blazing trails in the drinks scene, few people are doing it quite as literally is the four founders of Duluth’s Bent Paddle Brewing Co. Bryon and Karen Tonnis, and Colin and Laura Mullen partnered with Duluth-based outdoor furniture company Loll Designs in 2015 to create Lollygagger Pale Ale, a West Coast-style pale ale … [ Read more]
Bent Paddle releasing limited black IPA in honor of Climate Generation’s tenth anniversary
November 17, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Bent Paddle Brewing announced today the release of a special collaboration beer, brewed to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy. The beer, Climate Generation Black IPA, will be available in 750ml bottles at select liquor stores as well as on tap at the brewery, local bars and restaurants, and at Climate … [ Read more]
Fair trial: Our favorite new State Fair libations
August 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Drinking at the Minnesota State Fair is all about balance. You don’t want anything too thick or heavy, nor anything too dry. You’re looking for something crisp and tart, light and refreshing. Something to pep you up. Something to help you slink amidst 100,000 of your closest statesmen. Something to help wash away whatever cheese and … [ Read more]
Everything you need to know for Bent Paddle’s Festiversary party
April 20, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Bent Paddle Brewing Company is turning three, and taking over West Michigan Street for its annual Festiversary to celebrate. On Saturday, May 14, from 2–8pm, Bent Paddle’s block of West Michigan Street and surrounding parking lots will be filled with food trucks, vendors, activities, neighborhood groups, live music, and, of course, a whole lot of Bent Paddle … [ Read more]
Bent Paddle Brewing Co. issues statement on Silver Bay ban
March 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment
In recent weeks, Duluth’s Bent Paddle Brewing Company has been at the center of a controversy stemming from the brewery’s membership in the Downstream Business Coalition, a group made up of nearly 70 businesses who oppose proposed copper mining projects in Northeastern Minnesota, including PolyMet’s NorthMet project near Hoyt Lakes. In early March, the Silver Bay City Council voted … [ Read more]
New board members, renewed focus: The latest at the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild
January 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment
When Indeed Brewing Company opened their doors and joined the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild (MCBG) in 2012, the Guild’s membership consisted of about 20 breweries. Today, as Indeed co-founder Tom Whisenand gets ready to assume the role of president of the Guild’s board of directors, that number is pushing 100. As the industry has rapidly grown and … [ Read more]
Autumn Brew Review 2015 Recap
September 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment
There is a quote often attributed to Benjamin Franklin that reads, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” While the evidence suggests the original quote was about wine and not beer, craft beer fans will never argue with the sentiment. Nor would anyone argue with the phrase, “Autumn Brew Review … [ Read more]
New Bent Paddle Lollygagger Pale Ale Aims to Build Bike Trails
July 7, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Every can of Bent Paddle beer includes a reminder for drinkers to “Paddle Responsibly.” For its newest beer, however, the popular tagline is being updated to read “Pedal Responsibly” in promotion of a different outdoor activity—biking. Bent Paddle is partnering with Duluth-based outdoor furniture company Loll Designs to create Lollygagger Pale Ale, a West-coast style pale ale … [ Read more]
In Cahoots! Returns for Year Two
June 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
10 Minnesota breweries will form five teams to brew five totally new collaboration beers for Red Stag Supperclub’s annual summer bash Block parties are a staple of Minnesota summers. So is beer—preferably local craft beer. So when the folks at Red Stag Supperclub were looking to put a new spin on their annual block party in … [ Read more]
Brewer Profile: Bent Paddle’s Colin Mullen and Bryon Tonnis
May 26, 2015 by Leave a Comment
It’s 10am on a Friday and the aroma of brewing coffee is mingling with the sweet, hay-like smell of spent grain. Bryon Tonnis and Colin Mullen, co-founders and co-owners of Bent Paddle Brewing Company, in Duluth, Minnesota, stand by the coffee maker, mugs in hand, ready for a jolt of caffeine to shake off the … [ Read more]
