Duluth, Minnesota is home to many amazing breweries, each offering a different experience. The wide variety is sure to please even the pickiest microbrew enthusiast. North Shore Brewery Guide Part 3 features several more breweries and a different way to experience local breweries: Tap Houses! The North Shore Brewery Part 3 features Hoops Brewing, Ursa Minor Brewing, Warrior Brewing, and two local Tap Houses.

Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly experience in the Lincoln Park Craft District, or want to support some amazing local non-profits while enjoying a night out, these breweries are for you!

Don’t want to wait to learn more about Duluth’s breweries? Check out the Exploring the North Shore guide to see all of the Duluth breweries in one place.

Hoops Brewing

Hoops Brewing is another lesser-known brewery that is often overlooked by beer fans. However, it’s a great brewery that is worthy of a visit from the beer aficionado.

Hoops is located at 325 South Lake Avenue in Duluth inside The Suites Hotel in Canal Park. Just three floors down from Captains Canal Park Suite! This ideal location puts you near some great restaurants, which is ideal because they do not have their own menu. But, since you can bring in your own food, you can enjoy some craft beers along with your food of choice.

Their unique lineup of craft beers are numbered, rather than named. This includes the No 10 Extra Pale Ale, No 15 Pale Ale, No 88 Stour, No 1120 Peach Pear Wheat, No 42 Pineapple Chili Ale, and more. Known for their German beers, you’ll want to try their No 935 Kristallweizen or the No 65 Munich Lager.

In addition to good beer and a fun atmosphere, Hoops Brewing has weekly events to keep you coming back from more. From Trivia on Mondays to Ping Pong tournaments on Wednesdays. Hoops also hosts speed dating events for all the lonely hearts who enjoy a good beer.

Ursa Minor Brewing

Although not as well known as its neighbor, Ursa Minor Brewing is quickly building a name for itself locally. Ursa Minor Brewing isn’t just a brewery- it’s a family-friendly dining experience!

Ursa Minor Brewing is located at 2415 West Superior Street in Duluth. Located in Duluth’s up-and-coming Crafters District, Ursa Minor offers unique brews and a nice menu for dining.

Their signature North Shore brews include Agate Hunter, a boysenberry cherry lactose sour. Intergalactic Face Slap, a Hazy IPA. Badass Warrior Goddess, also a Hazy IPA. Cultivating Mass, a chocolate stout. And, Landlord Special, a fruited American wheat.

Food options include wood-fired pizzas, paninis, and staple bar food like a German pretzels, beef sticks, and even popcorn.

Ursa Minor Brewing rotates hosting trivia night and Bingo night on Wednesday and has live music most weekends.

Warrior Brewing

Warrior Brewing Company is another brewery located in Duluth’s west end. Located at 2711 West Superior Street in Duluth. The brewery started brewing their beers in May of 2021, making it the youngest brewery in Duluth. Warrior Brewing is the brainchild of Matt Caple and Ben Gipson, two disabled veterans who met as part of the homebrew and microbrew community in Duluth. They got together and decided to try their hand at opening their own Brewery and Taproom.

According to their website, Warrior Brewing specialized in “unique and high gravity offerings that aren’t typically found in the local area”. These offerings include “barrel-aged Imperial Stout, Lactose Double IPA, and Golden Ale brewed with locally sourced wildflower honey”.

But what makes Warrior Brewing Company unique is its commitment to serving the military and first responder community through the non-profit Lake Superior Warriors.  They also work alongside other local non-profits serving veterans and first responders. Giving them opportunities to take part in the brewery’s operations, either through special brewing events or through employment.

Their warrior-themed line of beers includes the Valkyrie (Honey Beer), the Barbarian (Imperial/Double Stout), Patriot: Lactose Double and Patriot: American (IPA), and Spartan (Strawberry Honey Ale).

Duluth Tap Exchange, 7West TapHouse, and More!

Want to experience a wide variety of Duluth and other regional beers in one place? Tap Houses are designed for just that, and Duluth is home to several. Two of our favorites are the Duluth Tap Exchange and 7 West TapHouse.

The Duluth Tap Exchange is Duluth’s first self-pour taproom. They offer over 40 craft beers, ciders, hard seltzers, and even wines to pick from. Plus, a full bar for those wanting more variety. They have a small menu plus you can carry in (or have delivered) your favorite food options. Located at 1905 West Superior Street, the Duluth Tap Exchange is another Lincoln Park Craft District business.

Meanwhile, the 7West TapHouse has a broader reach with locations in Duluth, St. Cloud, and Mankato in Minnesota, plus a location in Superior, Wisconsin. The location at 7 West Superior Street is the original (hence the name).

While 7West TapHouse has a smaller variety of beers on tap, they have a great menu so you can enjoy lunch while enjoying a flight of local brews.

Listen In

Check out Part 3 of the North Shore Brewery Guide on Exploring the North Shore Podcast. This episode features our trip to Hoops Brewery and 7West TapHouse in March of 2023.