Duluth is in Minnesota, and Superior in Wisconsin. The two cities are considered as one in terms of the metropolitan area, and they comprise one big and important port. We spent much of the day in Superior on Friday, August 1, and it seemed to us that Superior is to Duluth as Oakland is to San Francisco; it's an admittedly shallow observation, but one seemingly borne out here: Duluth vs. Superior
Yes, Superior has an ample supply of payday loan storefronts and empty lots… but you can buy booze on Sundays and have fires on the beach. Advantage Wisconsin.
That said, we had much fun in Superior, which to me is pleasantly summarized by this photo.
More specifically, there was a drive to nearby Wisconsin Point, where the lighthouse at the Lake Superior entry can be accessed via ankle busting boulders. We duly clambered over them.
Lunch was at the Thirsty Pagan Brewing Company. Upon being seated, the first thing I noticed when the server passed through the swinging kitchen door was a familiar growler, situated second from the right atop the walk-in cooler.
It was a very good omen. The beer and pizza were superlative, and the vibe somewhat "Rich O's" in overall feel.
The Thirsty Pagan brewer is Allyson Rolph, who gave us a brief tour. Her house beer lineup, brewed on two small systems, was nicely balanced -- something I'm coming more and more to appreciate. Thirsty Pagan's ABVs generally are on a milder end of the spectrum, but there was plenty of interest, including a dark spruce-spiced ale and a brown ale with rhubarb.
I didn't have a bad beer in Duluth, and in fact, they all were quite good. Consequently, I'll probably catch a measure of flak for saying it, but seriously, and in my brief experience in the area, the best beer in Duluth is found across the state line, in Superior, at Thirsty Pagan.
It's just my opinion, and with purely intentional analogies to the metro Louisville area, of course.
Returning to Duluth later in the afternoon, we parked across from Leif Erickson Park and caught the pedway downtown, emerging at Tycoons Alehouse & Eatery, located in the restored former city hall in the epicenter of downtown. Tycoons, which is a nod to Duluth's gilded age glory, serves Fitger's beer and offers a local smoked fish appetizer plate.
A better way to say goodbye to Duluth? I can't think of one.
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