The Story of Bent Paddle Brewing Co. – Bending Traditions and Making Great Beer Since 2013
Like many native Duluthians, Laura Mullen wanted to experience life elsewhere for a while before settling down. But, the siren song of Duluth – including the chilly climate and “perfect beer-brewing water,” among other enticements – ultimately brought her home.
Today, with a husband, child, her parents living nearby, and a busy career as the co-owner of a successful business, Bent Paddle Brewing Co., Mullen’s roots are planted deeply right here in Duluth – which is where she plans to stay.
Chance Encounter and Partnership
While organizing a small, non-profit beer festival through her company, Laura Mullen Event Design, Laura met a variety of brewers from across the state. One of whom was her future husband, Colin Mullen, originally from St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
At the time, Colin – who got into home brewing during college after the experience of enjoying a Magic Hat #9 “blew his mind” – was brewing at Barley John’s Brew Pub in New Brighton, MN. As the relationship blossomed, the Mullens’s became acquainted with another couple in the beer industry – Karen and Bryon Tonnis. All four possessed the entrepreneurial spirit needed to start a business.
In 2010, the foursome put their heads together and decided to open a brewery in Laura’s hometown of Duluth, Minnesota. The Tonnis’ were no strangers to Duluth; they met while attending the University of Minnesota – Duluth in 1996.
Bryon worked in Superior, Wisconsin at Twin Ports Brewing while attending college, and fell in love with the art and science of brewing. He later went on to obtain an International Diploma in Brewing Technology from the Siebel Institute and World Brewing Academy, studying in both Chicago, IL and Munich, Germany.
Bryon brewed professionally for 13 years prior to opening Bent Paddle. Karen worked in human resources and operations management for Sysco Asian Foods for 12 years prior to launch of Bent Paddle.
Acknowledging the importance of water in brewing, both Colin and Bryon loved the thought of opening a brewery in Duluth because of the incredible water chemistry of Lake Superior. It’s perfect for brewing – it mimics the water tables and mineral content of the Czech Republic, where Pilsner beer was born. At that time, there were no production breweries of scale in Duluth, and they saw an opportunity to build roots and create an amazing brewery.
The co-founders are proud to be connected to the Duluth community, and proud to have contributed to the revitalization of the Lincoln Park Craft District. Bent Paddle is thrilled to welcome travelers from all over the world to the taproom and to share the Duluth vibe in their products throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.
Bent Paddle
Bent Paddle Brewing Co. opened its doors in 2013. Their mission is to brew craft beer and hemp beverages with a concentration on sustainability for its business, employees, the environment, and the greater community – all while “Bending the Traditions” that it encounters, for a more unique and interesting craft beverage experience.
Originally, the brewery and small taproom were housed under one roof at 1912 West Michigan Street. The operation quickly outgrew the available space, and another adjacent building, at 1832 West Michigan Street, was secured for a larger taproom which opened in 2018, along with a smaller award-winning pilot brewery run by brewer, Neil Caron.
The taproom is vibrant and warm, offering plenty of space for friends and families to stretch out, listen to live music, order in food, and enjoy a delicious pint of year-round, specialty pilot beer, or hemp-derived THC beverages. There is space available at the taproom for semi-private events in the Enger and Olson room. Another amenity is the fact that the brewery’s outdoor heated patio and a green space, called The Yard, which is pet-friendly.
The Beer + Beverages
Bent Paddle currently offers seven year-round (sometimes referred to as “flagship”) beers for distribution, plus eight hemp-derived THC beverages. Their year-round beers include:
Venture Pils
Bent Hop IPA
14° Degree Amber Ale
Black Ale
Cold Press Black
Light Lager, and
The new Retro Haze
Other regularly available distributed options include Lime Light Lager, Munchin’ Pretzels, and various seasonal assortments, like the fan favorite Christmas Cookie Cream Ale. In the taproom, beer lovers can enjoy a variety of selections plus experience a rotating assortment throughout the year of 20-30 pilot beers created by brewer, Neil Caron, sold by the glass, growler, or crowler.
After nine years in business, Bent Paddle’s top five beers underwent an exciting rebrand. Each beer’s packaging now depicts a different iconic local Lake Superior beach view.
Some cans showcase well-known North Shore vistas – like Split Rock Lighthouse or Duluth’s hillside viewed from Park Point – while others shine a light on lesser-known lakeshore spots like Ioan’s Beach. On each box, customers will find a set of geo coordinates to the exact beach location of the beers’ artwork.
Bent Paddle made another large shift in the summer of 2022 when the Minnesota Legislature passed the law allowing consumers age 21+ to purchase products containing hemp-derived THC. Initially, Bent Paddle sold products directly to consumers in the taproom and online. Now Bent Paddle distributes and ships all of their craft hemp beverages and edibles to businesses in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Home
After the herculean effort required to get the brewery up, running, and successful, witnessing the fruits of their labor is incredibly rewarding for Bent Paddle’s owners. Mullen and the rest of the leadership team receive a jolt of excitement every time they see someone purchasing Bent Paddle beer, Bent Paddle canna, or wearing Bent Paddle merch.
“You get this little thrill every time you see people walking out of a liquor store with our beer, hemp derived canna product, or ordering one of those options at a restaurant,” Mullen noted. “It’s like we’re seeing that we’ve exported the water of Lake Superior into a product people love. It’s fun to watch.”
Despite giving life a go in a couple of other locations, Duluth is the only place that is truly home for Laura Mullen.
