Craft brewing brings passion and creativity together to formulate rich, distinct, and home-grown ingredients. This is never so true when you visit one of the microbrews and brewpubs along the Lake Superior route. You’ll find diverse flavours, hear great stories and enjoy the camaraderie that goes along with a great-tasting beer. Ingredients may be the waters of Lake Superior, locally grown herbs or spices, natural ingredients like blueberries, or locally produced maple syrup.
Ontario
Slate Island Brewing Company
Located on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Terrace Bay, Slate Island Brewing Company is a small craft brewery with a taproom and patio. It’s within walking distance of the Terrace Bay Lighthouse attraction and views overlook the Slate Islands in Lake Superior. This brewery uses the cool crisp waters of Lake Superior on its list of ingredients to create unique flavours. Take a tour of the brewing process. If you’re looking for a bite to eat after your flight of beer, try Drifter’s Restaurants located nearby.
Northern Superior Brewing
Northern Superior Brewing has a long rich history in Sault Ste. Marie with generations of Saultites enjoying a locally crafted beer on tap at many local establishments. The city’s first brewery was the Soo Falls Brewing Company (est. 1899). Since 2015, the Northern Superior Brewing Company has continued to keep the Northern Superior Lager flowing in the city and area. Enjoy one of the distinct craft beers in the Taproom or the outdoor patio: Red Maple, Northern 55, Northern Superior or try Northern Lights. Northern Superior Brewing is located next to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
Sleeping Giant Brewing Company
Named for the famous Sleeping Giant of Lake Superior, Sleeping Giant Brewing Company was formed in 2012 and offers a variety of beers daily at their taproom. Pair beer with their delicious snacks or fresh locally made pizzas. Their core beers include award-winning golden ale Northern Logger or try Skull Rock which is an Oatmeal Stoutt. Their seasonal brews include Oktobot a strong malty flavour with some spicy hop character, and Imminent Summer Laziness, an easy-drinking beer for those sultry summer days. Take-home cans are beautifully designed.
Michigan
Soo Brewing Company
Located on Portage Ave in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, stop by to celebrate the microbrew culture at the Soo Brewing Company. Some of the unique brews include Caution To The Wind, a farmhouse ale, and Huskador a blend of the brewer’s 3 favourite U.S.-grown hops. Enjoy the taproom or use the patio on a sunny day. Pair your craft beer with a burger from their menu like the Murph Burger (can’t tell you what’s in the sauce), Pizza, appetizers like Laker Chips or tasty Beer Cheese.
Keweenaw Brewing Co.
When you’re riding through Michigan’s Copper Country, make Keweenaw Brewing Company a stop on your trip. Located in Houghton, the brewing company features a selection of fresh brews right on-site. The taproom includes a couple of bars, tables and chairs, and seating around their fireplace. In nice weather, enjoy the outdoor deck. Sacks of roast peanuts pair well with the atmosphere and take advantage of the free WiFi to connect with family and friends. Beers include November Gale Pale Ale and Widow Maker Black Ale.
Michigan House Café & Red Jack Brewing
Michigan House has occupied the same corner of 6th and Oak Streets in Calumet, Michigan since the 1890s. Today, the Red Jacket Brewing Company handcrafts a fine Coffee Oatmeal Stout. It’s dark, rich and smooth with a slight hops finish and reminiscent of days gone by. Typically, the brewpub offers a British Brown Ale, an American Pale Ale, and an IPA on tap. It offers a food menu with appetizers, soups and salads, burgers, and entrees. Try the Michigan House Steak a 16 oz Certified Angus Beef French-cut bone-in rib-eye steak, The Gipp Burger (named for George “the Gipper” Gipp who worked as a waiter in 1912), or A Drunken Pig pork sandwich.
Brickside Brewery
The craft beer extravaganza around Lake Superior continues at Brickside Brewery in Copper Harbor. The beer is unique and diverse and has become a go-to place for visitors in Copper Harbor since 2012. The brewery is family-owned and operated and is a nice spot to relax and have a beer. Dine outside in the beer garden at the new food truck serving up a tasty menu that includes fish tacos and pork enchiladas, pizza and hot dogs. For a list of what’s on tap follow Brickside Brewery on Facebook or Instagram.
Lake Superior Smokehouse Brewpub
Beer and smoked meats? Yes, please! Lake Superior Smokehouse Brewpub features a full bar with 20 taps of craft beer, hand-crafted cocktails, and domestic beer. Unique craft brew flavours include Blueberry Wheat, Chocolay Night, Stay A Little Lager and more. A unique feature of this brewpub is the Self-Pour Tap. Pair your craft beer with Sliders (pulled pork, chicken and brisket), Smokehouse Nachos, Links and Curds (sausage and fried cheese curds), or spice it up with Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos.
Wisconsin
Adventure Club Brewing
This is Wisconsin’s northernmost craft brewery and is located just off the Ride Lake Superior route in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The brewery offers a friendly environment to enjoy craft beer flavours at their taproom or outdoor patio. The line-up of their craft beer is ever-changing, so we recommend following Adventure Club Brewing on Facebook for what’s on tap, events and live music entertainment. Or just be adventurous and stop by for a beer!
Other Wisconsin Breweries on the Route: South Shore Brewery in Ashland, Wisconsin
Minnesota
Fitger’s Brewhouse
This has been a Duluth favourite since 1995. Fitger’s Brewhouse brews high-quality small batches and is Minnesota’s oldest brewpub. All natural ingredients are used including using the waters from Lake Superior itself. Enjoy house-made food with the menu at lunch o dinner with Beer-Battered Cheese Curds, a basket of Warm Pretzels, or try the Classic Wild Rice Burger using Minnesota harvested wild rice. Follow it with a slice of one of Betty’s Pies.
Other Minnesota Breweries on the Route: Bent Paddle Brewing
The Craft Beer Extravaganza Around Lake Superior continues on the Lake Superior route with the Ale Trail.
