Wisconsin | Minnesota Beer Activists

Twin Ports’ brewing pioneer announces new venture

It has been 50 years since Superior, Wis. has had a brewery producing beer for the regional market, when Northern Brewing Company shuttered its doors in 1967. Continuing with their mission to support the re-localization of brewing, Tim Nelson and his company Bev-Craft have announced plans to build Earth Rider Brewing Company to service the Twin Ports, and the South and North Shores of Lake Superior.

The brewery will reside on the north end of Tower Ave., nestled between monolithic grain elevators of Superior’s working harbor, and restaurants and bars of the entertainment district. The location at the foot of the High Bridge (1617 N 3rd Street, formerly the Leamon Mercantile Co) offers easy access from anywhere in the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior.

Nelson expects redevelopment of the structure to begin in the spring with the first batch of beer brewed in late summer. Earth Rider’s brewing operations will occupy a 16,300-square-foot facility, with a project budget to exceed $2.5 million in private investment with support from the City of Superior, Superior Choice Credit Union, Wisconsin Business Development, Douglas County Development Association, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Northland Foundation, Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, and APEX.

Earth Rider is the second brewery to be announced by Bev-Craft, with Hoops Brewing in Duluth being the first. Bev-Craft is a brewery-incubator consultancy. Their team includes 22-year industry veteran Nelson along with some of the region’s most decorated brewers, including Frank Kaszuba and Dave Hoops.

The brewery taproom will be the historic Cedar Lounge, which was originally built by the Northern Brewing Company as a tied house in 1912. Renovations to the Cedar were completed in August and it is currently operating as a beer-centric tavern. An outdoor beer garden and event space will provide a lively connection between the brewhouse and the taproom.

Nelson co-founded Minnesota’s fifth craft brewery, Fitger’s Brewhouse, in 1995 and has remained an instrumental figure in the industry ever since. He says the Twin Ports have numerous benefits for brewers including a strong workforce, pristine Lake Superior water, and a growing number of craft beer drinkers.

“The head of the Great Lakes have a strong and growing indie beer culture, the best brewing water anywhere, and several outstanding breweries,” said Nelson. “We’re excited to produce a local product that bolsters the economy and culture.”

Last Friday, after taking the kids over to Hudson Wisconsin’s Giggle Factory, I found my way to a relatively new local brewery and taproom, American Sky Beer. An aviation themed brewery located in the industrial park area of Hudson at 1510 Swasey Street. A stones throw from Fleet Farm. They are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Thursday and Friday 4-8pm, Saturday 2-8pm.

The taproom, affectionately called “The Hangar”, offers a horseshoe shaped bar, high top tables and picnic tables. A large brew space that houses a 15 barrel mash tun and boil kettle, 15 barrel fermenters and bright tanks, and bottling line. Some of the equipment came from Grand Teton and O’so breweries. Nothing fancy. More industrial. Fitting based on the theme. Not nearly as warm as say 612 or Indeed brewing.

They had 6 beers on draft and 1 in a cask (it was Firkin Friday). Their flagship beers were the Tailgunner Gold, Amber Salute and USA IPA. Their specialties were a British Bitter, Belgian IPA and a Scottish Ale. Most of the beers are self describing. The Tailgunner was a blonde ale. The firkin was the IPA on Amarillo and Citra.

I ordered a Flight and a firkin pour. Can’t turn down a cask ale. I went in order of the board. I started with the blonde. A refreshing slightly fruity session ale. Nothing to exciting here. Pretty much an accessible starter for the less crafty. The amber was a little confusing. Personally when I think amber I think of a slightly hop forward beer with some fruity esters. But I actually liked the way they put it together. Malty with a nutty fruity flavor. Malty nose with similar aromas to the flavor. I liken it to a lighter brown ale. The IPA was hoppy, citrusy, and well balanced malt profile. The owner noted that he uses wheat in the mash. I mentioned to him that with my homebrew I do the same. It adds a nice stickiness to the head and builds a nice body. Not the most aggressive IPA but not bad either. The British Bitter was probably my favorite beer. Heavy Maris Otter biscuit bready flavor. Solid bitterness from what I thought was East Kent Golding hops. I could drink that all day. Light with a good amount of body for such a low ABV. The Belgian IPA was forgettable. I found the esters to be muted. Just a lack of complexity. The Scottish ale was actually pretty decent too. I won’t pretend that I am a Scottish beer lover. It’s usually not the first beer I reach for. I find them to be too sweet. In this case it was well attenuated. Slight dry finish. Caramel, roast and malt dominate. In my opinion well done. And finally the cask IPA. Oily, grassy and smooth. I will say I thought it was a little under carbonated. I think the beer was a little young.

My overall impression? Decent. Obviously there is some growing to be done here. I really dig the space. They offer live music on Saturday nights starting at 5. The owner was very courteous. He shared a sample of a new beer with me off the fermenter. I’d say if you find yourself in Hudson its worth a visit. Cheers!

American Sky Brewing
1510 Swasey St
Hudson, WI 54016
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Tag Archives: Wisconsin

Earth Rider Brewery is Coming to Superior

Twin Ports’ brewing pioneer announces new venture

A Visit to American Sky – Hudson, Wisconsin

Beer Consumers in Minnesota