In Duluth, we are blessed with many tasty restaurants. We are also home to several excellent craft breweries. However, there aren’t many places that can successfully do both. Canal Park Brewing Company (CPB) defies those odds.
Opened in 2012 in the heart of Canal Park (at 300 Canal Park Drive), CPB offers a ton of tasty brews (and seltzers!) made on-site, with fresh Lake Superior water. There are “guest” options from local cideries, too. They also have a comprehensive and well-rounded menu, with inventive ingredients and options for every palate.
There is both indoor and outdoor (patio) seating. The views of Lake Superior are top-notch. And the venue is perched right on the Duluth Lakewalk!
Please join us as we Eat & Drink Duluth … CPB style!
History
Per a friendly chat with the General Manager, Sandi Daytner, the establishment, which opened in 2012, is owned by Paul Kaz (shortened from Kavajecz). Some of CPB’s marketing materials advertise that they have been voted “America’s #1 favorite solar-powered brewpub.”
Beyond that, I pulled a few additional details from their website:
“Canal Park Brewing Company is a locally-owned family venture. We’ve successfully owned and operated many businesses in the Twin Ports and surrounding area for over 50 years.
“However, creating a brewery on the shore of Lake Superior was a longtime dream. Our ties to the brewing industry in Duluth go back as far as the 1940s and 1950s when our great uncle, Maxamillian Herrnberger, was employed by Fitger’s Brewery. As a treat, he would bring these handcrafted beers and sodas to family gatherings. We salute those who’ve mastered the art of crafting beer and we’ve passed on these rich traditions from one generation to the next.”
Vibe
The vibe at CPB is sort of industrial modern. The exterior is constructed of brick, and has several cool roll-up garage doors. Signage is bright red, with a blue and yellow logo.
Inside, the color scheme is black, brick, wood, and metal. There are planters filled with minimalistic snake plants, and interesting metal light fixtures and other décor throughout. There is bar seating, and table seating, along with that excellent outdoor patio. They even have a cool little gift shop!
Sadly, on the evening we dined, it was one of those unhealthy air quality days, due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires. So, while we desperately wanted to sit on the patio and sip a cold beer, our burning eyes and lungs convinced us otherwise, and we dined inside.
Our fellow diners that night spanned the entire human spectrum: young couples, elderly couples, large groups, families with kids and infants, and even a few dogs out on the patio with their people.
Food
CPB has a pretty comprehensive menu, featuring starters, sandwiches, soup, tacos, salads, burgers, desserts, entrees, and desserts. There is a kids’ menu, too.
I ordered the Canal Park Club. From the menu:
Premium roasted turkey, bacon, smoked gouda, lettuce, tomato, onion, and lingonberry mayo served on sourdough bread.
This generously-sized sandwich offered a yummy blend of flavors and textures. A huge serving of turkey was piled atop crisp, smoky bacon. The lettuce, tomato, and onion were fresh and crisp. The smoked gouda offered a deep, rich flavor.
While I normally pass on the mayo, I was intrigued by the “lingonberry mayo,” so I requested it on the side. It tasted nothing like mayo, but rather a sweet, creamy dip. I also requested a side of chipotle cream for dipping, which offered a zesty kick of heat.
The bread was thick, toasted, and buttery. And the fries were wide, rectangular, deliciously seasoned, and a nice combo of crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
Mike selected the CPB Co. Fish & Chips. From the menu:
Our craft beer-battered Canadian Walleye served with Northcoaster fries and house made tartar sauce.
Mike received a HUGE slab of meaty walleye, which featured a crisp, beer-battered, panko-style breading. When the GM, Sandi, stopped by to check on us, she shared that this dish is one of CPB’s most popular. Per our server, Emma, the fish is sourced from Lake Superior.
The homemade tartar was on the smooth side, with hints of dill. He received a large portion of those same delicious fries, and a slab of lemon on the side.
Beverages
Of course, CPB specializes in their own beer, which is brewed right on-site. There are many varietals to sample, from light and refreshing to darker and heavier beers.
There are also house-made seltzers, Uff Da Kombucha, cocktails, mocktails, Spring Grove brand soda, THC drinks, and wine.
To start, Mike and I chose to share a flight of beer, with four, five-ounce servings to sample. We selected:
Nut Hatchet Brown Ale
With flavors of toasted nuts, hints of toffee, sweet maltiness, and gentle caramel. This is CPB’s most popular brew. The Nut Hatchet is also an award winner; it won silver at the 2014 World Beer Cup, and gold at the 2024 MN Brewers Cup.
Actually, many of CPB’s brews are award winners. Click here to learn more.
Northcoaster Light – American Light Lager
This delicious lager is light, refreshing, and thirst-quenching. To my palate, it had light notes of sweet honey. Next time, I’ll request a lemon wedge.
Through a partnership with another Duluth business, Wild State Cider, we also sampled two ciders as part of our flight:
Hazy Pink Pineapple
The ingredient list features fresh-pressed apples, pineapples, and dragon fruit. This cider is tropical, juicy, and unfiltered.
Apple Pie
Ingredients include apples, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and nutmeg. It tastes cozy and well-spiced, offering the nostalgia of a homemade pie, fresh from the oven.
After finishing our flight, we both ordered a full-sized Northcoaster Light. This beer is the perfect choice for a hot, summer day!
Service
Our server, Emma Hass, has worked at CPB for a little over a year. She moved here from White Bear Lake to attend college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Emma was friendly and helpful, and even allowed us to try a small sample of beer before making our selections. She stopped by to check in on us several times, making sure we were satisfied and our thirst was quenched.
We were also visited by the wonderful General Manager, Sandi Daytner. We were surprised to see Sandi helping to work the host/hostess station throughout her shift, greeting customers in a friendly way, rather than staying behind the scenes.
Verdict
We had a wonderful experience at Canal Park Brewing. While most wouldn’t think a brewery would also have great food, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at CPB.
Hopefully the next time we visit, the smoke will clear. Because we really want to sit outside on that patio. Whether you’re thirsty, hungry, or better yet – both – consider giving CPB a try.
For more information, please visit Restaurant & Brewery, Local Brewpub, Places to Eat | Duluth, MN | Canal Park Brewing Company.
