USA, MN: Bent Paddle Brewing Co. to open in Duluth

The craft brewing market in Duluth is about to get bigger with the start of a new production brewery in Lincoln Park, Duluth News Tribune reported on January, 7.

Two Twin Cities brewers have teamed up, along with their wives, to establish Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Bent Paddle owners Bryon Tonnis and Colin Mullen plan to start out with an operation producing 1,800 to 2,000 barrels the first year, but with the capacity eventually to grow to 4,500 barrels a year.

They’ll start with two flagship beers, a golden IPA and a black ale. They’ll add two more flagship beers in time, including a Pilsner as well as changing seasonal offerings.

Bent Paddle beer will be sold by the keg and six-packs of 12-ounce cans to bars, liquor stores and restaurants in the region. A 1,200-square-foot taproom, similar to a tavern and open four days a week, will allow visitors to buy its brews by the glass and growler.

Bent Paddle Brewing is the latest in the growing number of micro-breweries and brewpubs in the Twin Ports area that are turning Duluth into a craft beer hub and a destination for beer enthusiasts.

Another microbrewery adding to Duluth’s beer culture is welcome, said Rockie Kavajecz, co-owner of Canal Park Brewing Co., the city’s latest brewpub, which opened in November.

“We think it’s a good thing,” he said. “It brings more to the table. They’re going about it in the right way. We think they’re going to do a good job. We know they’re going to have quality beer.”

While Kavajecz’s brewpub only offers its own beer on tap, he said it will put one from Bent Paddle Brewing on tap as a guest beer.

Bent Paddle Brewing Co. joins two other production breweries in Duluth — Lake Superior Brewing Co., also in Lincoln Park, and Dubrue in Central Hillside. Lake Superior currently produces close to 2,000 barrels a year. Dubrue also planned for an estimated production of 2,000 barrels a year when it opened in 2011.