Bent Paddle Brewing Co. is expanding with the addition of more brewing tanks. And that's allowing the Duluth microbrewery to extend its distribution to the Twin Cities.
The 30-barrel production brewery last weekbegan delivering six-pack cans of its flagship beers -- Bent Paddle Black ale, Venture Pils pilsener lager and Bent Hop, a golden India pale ale -- to five craft beer liquor stores in the Twin Cities.
The small production brewery opened in a warehouse at 1912 W. Michigan St. in May with the city's first bona fide taproom. Its beers are sold on-site by the glass and growler.
"We started with six tanks, and we are adding four larger tanks for a total of 10 tanks," said Laura Salyards-Fryberger Mullen, one of the owners. "And that doubles our brewing capacity from 4,500 to 8,000-plus barrels of beer a year."
The owners are experienced brewmasters Colin Mullen and Bryon Tonnis and their wives. The two 30-something couples from the Twin Cities chose
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Duluth to start their brewery because they saw more room for potential for growth in the Duluth area and because they say Lake Superior water is good for brewing.
They launched their business with their first two flagship beers -- the black ale and golden IPA. They've since added the pilsener lager as another flagship beer, sold by the keg and in 12-ounce cans. Bent Paddle beers are available at area bars, restaurants, liquor stores and special events.
