15 Best Duluth Breweries for Beer, Food, & Fun!

Check out some of the very best Duluth breweries on your next trip to Minnesota!

With exciting outdoor adventures, stunning views of Lake Superior, and amazing restaurants, it’s no wonder that Duluth is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Minnesota. 

If you’re interested in sampling some of the best food and drink that Minnesota has to offer, I recommend a grand tour of Duluth’s many amazing breweries!

In this article, I’ll share 15 of the best Duluth breweries to visit, as well as fill you in on the Duluth breweries with food.

Sample a selection of beer styles alongside local fares to get a true taste of Minnesota!

Not a beer lover? I’ve also included a couple of cider options as well as a recap of the Duluth breweries with food.

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What Makes Duluth Breweries So Special?

The craft beer revolution has hit a lot of cities and Duluth is no exception!

Over the past few years, Duluth, Minnesota’s beer and cider scene has seen the addition of several amazing breweries making it a staple destination for beer and brewery lovers alike.

So what makes Duluth breweries worth visiting?

First, Duluth is a great beer town as it is home to some of the most talented brewers in the brewing industry.

They pride themselves on their deliciously crafted recipes and the use of a unique and coveted ingredient – water from Lake Superior.

Naturally cold, and naturally soft, this water is a splash above the rest and makes for deliciously tasting beer.

In addition to great tasting beer, Duluth’s laid-back, historic, and ‘up-north’ vibe speaks instant relaxation.

Plus, with most of the Duluth breweries being both dog and kid-friendly (many featuring specialty sodas & their own kids’ menus), enjoying Duluth’s breweries is a family-friendly activity that anyone can enjoy

Finally, craft brew lovers adore sampling Duluth’s best beer alongside scenic views of Lake Superior and the surrounding area.

As a starting point for the famous North Shore Drive, the scenery here includes forested hillsides, dramatic rock formations, and expansive lake views that you simply cannot find anywhere else.

Oh, and psst!… We love visiting Duluth so much that we’ve written several other articles to help you plan your visit!

• Our Complete 3-Day Duluth, MN Itinerary
• 25 Best Free Things to do in Duluth
• Awesome Duluth Attractions You Shouldn’t Miss!
• 9 Best Restaurants in Canal Park, Duluth, MN
• Must-See Stops on Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive
• Glensheen Mansion Tours: 5 Tips For A Great Visit!

The Best Duluth Breweries 

Our list of the best Duluth breweries makes an excellent road map to create your very own brewery tour!

In other words, use it to pick and plan out your must-visit breweries on your visit to Duluth.

While this travel guide isn’t exactly kid-centric, most breweries are family-friendly, especially during the daytime hours.

Now, let’s dig into the best Duluth breweries + bonus cideries.

1. Ursa Minor Brewing

• 2415 W Superior St B, Duluth – Ursa Minor Brewing 

If you’re looking for a community-focused atmosphere, Ursa Minor Brewing should be your first stop!

Ursa Minor Brewing features food from local providers in an effort to benefit their greater community.

They also have amazing craft beer selections with hops, sours, darks, and lights. 

If you want a bite, this Duluth brewery features snacks, appetizers, wood-fired pizzas, and paninis (all locally sourced!). 

For entertainment, Ursa Minor Brewing has live music Thursdays through Sundays, bingo nights, trivia events, and more. 

Best of all, this brewery is welcoming to everyone!

Bring the entire family along, including your pooch, to their pet and kid-friendly (enormous!) outdoor patio. 

2. Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

• 1832 W Michigan St, Duluth – Bent Paddle Brewing Co. 

The Bent Paddle Brewing Company is a beer-lovers haven!

Choose from 27 varieties like their amber ale, coffee ale, or American sour ale with pineapple and mango.

They even sell THC and CBD sparkling waters.

There’s a huge indoor taproom and seating area (complete with a foosball table and dart board), along with a comfy outdoor patio and large lawn area.

Other offerings include local rootbeer on tap, live music events, bingo, and wood-fired pizza night.

Though they don’t regularly serve food, you’re encouraged to order delivery from a number of local restaurants and enjoy it in their tap room.

3. Canal Park Brewing Company

• 300 Canal Park Dr, Duluth – Canal Park Brewing Company

Located directly along the shore of Lake Superior, Canal Park Brewing Company is one of the best breweries in Duluth – it is also one of the Duluth breweries with food.

Sip on local, award-winning craft beer like their Rocky Rappel Red Lager, Nut Hatchet Brown Ale, or Hank & Dabs Pale Ale.

They also serve cocktails, and wine, and have an extensive food (+ kids) menu featuring appetizers, entrees, and desserts made with local ingredients. 

We love their pet-friendly patio adjacent to the Canal Park Boardwalk which has a large fire pit, bean-bag toss games, and plenty of outdoor seating.

4. Dubh Linn Brew Pub

• 109 W Superior St, Duluth – Dubh Linn Brew Pub

Need a new comfort beer?

Take a trip to Dubh Linn Brew Pub!

This brewpub is a local family business offering an Irish-inspired menu along with beer, wine, and signature cocktails. 

They also have a whiskey bar with the largest selection of Single Malt Scotch and Irish Whiskey in all of Minnesota.

Enjoy their made-from-scratch food and drinks alongside live music, comedy shows, and free pool, darts, and shuffleboard.

There is always something fun going on at Dubh Linn Brew Pub!

Additional planning tip: Be sure to check out their daily happy hour specials from 4 – 6 PM. 

5. Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery and Grille

• 600 E Superior St, Duluth – Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery and Grille

With the bragging rights of being the first brewpub in Duluth, Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery and Grille is one of the best Duluth breweries!

This mammoth of a brewery produces over 1,100 barrels of award-winning ales and lagers a year.

Their catalog has a ton of variety with nearly 200 recipes made from high-quality ingredients. 

Visit their Duluth brewery location for appetizers, burgers, and specialty offerings alongside their craft beer offerings. 

You can also visit The Barrel Room (a separate venue located directly across from Fitger’s Brewery entrance) which features their flagship beers, along with special releases like seasonal brews. 

The Barrel Room serves great food like hand-crafted pizzas, pub-style offerings, and more.

Additional planning tip: Both locations feature a classic kid’s menu so children can join in on the fun too!

6. Hoops Brewing Company

• 325 S Lake Ave, Duluth – Hoops Brewing Company 

Hoops Brewing Company is a Duluth favorite, serving up brews orchestrated by veteran master brewer Dave Hoops.

With 20 varieties on tap, Hoops believes there is a beer for everyone!

This family-friendly brew hall is super social and community-driven with ping pong, board games, and tons of play space for little ones!

They also serve pretzels and locally-made ice cream.

If you want a meal beyond that, feel free to bring in food, or order in for delivery.

7. Lake Superior Brewing Co.

• 5324 E Superior St, Duluth – Lake Superior Brewing Co. 

Lake Superior Brewing Company is a Duluth staple!

After suddenly closing its doors in 2019, Lake Superior Brewing Co. is back with new owners and a new location. 

This longtime brewery has been reinvented upon its new opening, serving the same craft beer that locals love, alongside a new menu of delicious starters, burgers, and brick oven pizzas.

There are also a ton of non-alcoholic options on the menu alongside their famous, local beer. 

Additional planning tip: The owners of Lake Superior Brewing Co. also own the nearby Brewtel. Brewtel is a historic building that has been renovated to house 3 trendy overnight accommodations.

Though we have not had a chance to stay at Lakewalk House, Brewtel Studio, or the 2-bedroom Brewtel Apartment, this sure seems like a fun experience!

8. Blacklist Brewing Co. 

• 206 E Superior St, Duluth – Blacklist Brewing Co.

Blacklist Brewing Co. is a great place to sample exceptional craft beer made from high-quality malt, hops, and fresh water from Lake Superior. 

Their event offerings are vast and varied with games, music, birthday parties, political events, and competitive axe throwing! 

Not a beer fan? Try their gluten-free craft seltzer. 

9. Duluth Cider

• 2307 W Superior St, Duluth – Duluth Cider

Cider lovers rejoice!

Duluth Cider offers an extensive menu of adult beverages to sample on your trip to Duluth. 

Sample their hard cider seltzers or dry ciders in their pints, flights, crowlers, or cans (their Los Lajas Coffee Cider is unreal!). 

Make the most out of your visit by attending one of their event nights like their taco Tuesdays (food truck), wood-fired pizza Wednesdays (food truck), or, my personal favorite, the Friday night K&B Grilled Cheese Truck from 4 – 8 PM.

10. Wild State Cider 

• 2515 W Superior St, Duluth – Wild State Cider

For some seriously impressive cider, try Wild State Cider.

Made from 100% fresh-pressed apples and no added sugar or sweeteners, you can truly taste the quality!

With 10+ rotating options on tap, enjoy their flagship ciders like the raspberry hibiscus cider, or their rotating seasonal offerings throughout the year. 

Their family-friendly taproom is located in the Lincoln Park West neighborhood (yes, little ones are welcome!). 

The whole family can enjoy soft pretzels, snacks, and soft-serve ice cream.

Special events include plant exchanges, trivia, bingo, and pizza nights.

Breweries in the Duluth Area

If you’re looking for more adventures to add to your Minnesota bucket list, consider venturing out to explore the following breweries near Duluth MN.

11. Castle Danger Brewery

• 17 7th St, Two Harbors, MN – Castle Danger Brewery

Located just 30 minutes outside Duluth, Castle Danger Brewery is worth the detour!

You’ll find the Castle Danger Taproom in downtown Two Harbors, along the north shore of Lake Superior.  

While you’re visiting, enjoy their rotating varieties on tap; grab a pint or try a flight to taste a little bit of everything!

Choose between Lager Royale, Sour Puss, Mosaic Hop Fresh IPA, and more. 

This brewery is also incredibly interested in community outreach and works to give back to the North Shore of Minnesota.

Every Wednesday, they donate $1 of each pint sold to local nonprofits (Drinking beer for a good cause? Sign me up!).

This brewery doesn’t sell food but you’re encouraged to bring snacks from home or order in. 

Additional planning tip: If you visit in the summer, you can enjoy a beer with a view of the beautiful Lake Superior waters on their huge outdoor patio. 

12. Earth Rider Brewery

• 1617 N 3rd St, Superior, WI – Earth Rider Brewery

The Cedar Lounge is the official tasting room for Earth Rider Brewery.

Along with Cedar Exclusive beers on tap, they sell pub pizzas, Ashland Baking Co. warm pretzels, and snacks.

You’re welcome to bring in takeout food as well.

13. Thirsty Pagan Brewing

• 1615 Winter St, Superior, WI – Thirsty Pagan Brewing

Thirsty Pagan Brewing is known for the delicious, gourmet, deep-dish pizza, house, and seasonal brews, as well as a live band 6 days a week!

Located in a refurbished freight depot, Thirsty Pagan has a delightful ambiance with a warm and family-friendly atmosphere.

14. Lift Bridge Brewery

1900 Tower Dr. W, Stillwater MN – Lift Bridge Brewery

Located 150 miles south of Duluth, the Lift Bridge Brewery is home to a taproom with an extensive line of quality craft beer.

Their brand portfolio includes hand-crafted beer, non-alcoholic soda, and seltzers.

15. Breweries in the Twin Cities

• Bauhaus Brew Labs – Minneapolis, MN
• Fair State Cooperative – Minneapolis, MN
• Fulton Beer – Minneapolis, MN
• Indeed Brewing – Minneapolis, MN
• Modist Brewing – Minneapolis, MN
• Schell’s Brewery – New Ulm, MN
• Steel Toe Brewing – St. Louis Park, MN
• Summit Brewing – St. Paul, MN
• Surly Brewing – Brooklyn Center, MN

Duluth Breweries With Food

As a recap, here’s a recap of the Duluth breweries with food (offered onsite daily).

Each of these breweries has its own full menu and offers sit-down dining, often both indoors and outdoors as the weather permits.

• Ursa Minor Brewing (specializing in made-from-scratch wood-fired pizza)
• Canal Park Brewing Company (we love their burgers, Smoked Salmon BLT, and Northcoaster Mac &Cheese)
• Dubh Linn Brew Pub (made-from-scratch Irish food offerings)
• Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery & Grille (try their iconic Wild Rice Burger!)
• Lake Superior Brewing Co. (featuring fun starters and amazing 12″ NY Brick Oven Pizzas)

The Duluth breweries not listed either host local food trucks, have snacks available for purchase or allow outside food and food deliveries to be brought inside.

Final Thoughts on The Best Duluth Breweries 

On your trip to Minnesota, set aside some time to tour a few of the best Duluth breweries on this list. 

Enjoy local favorites, great food, and an incredible atmosphere, all while sampling the best beer in Minnesota. 

Sampling breweries is the perfect way to integrate yourself into the local scene and get a feel for what Duluth, Minnesota is all about!

Additional Minnesota Content

Check out these related posts before your trip!

• The Best Indoor Waterparks in Minnesota (+ Waterpark Hotels in MN!)
• 9 Exciting Things to Do in Bloomington, Minnesota
• Where’s the Best Place to Go Skiing in Minnesota?
• 15 Fun Mall of American Attractions for Visitors of All Ages
• Minnesota Wineries: 15 Must-Try Locations!

*Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.