Over the last five or so years, the craft brewery movement has grown exponentially in Minnesota. The Associated Press says licensing records show two-thirds of Minnesota breweries have opened just since 2010. So, we decided to help you – and your livers – keep up with the taproom trend by stopping by some of these Twin Cities brewhouses. This week, we’re featuring Canal Park Brewing Company in Duluth.

When comparing the breweries of the Twin Cities to those of Duluth and further north, there’s one striking difference that is often mentioned: the use of Lake Superior water in the brewing process.

Whether or not the iconic great lake’s water really produces a noticeably better beer is certainly debatable. That being said, breweries up north take great pride in the fact that their beer is made from the lake’s naturally cool, crisp freshwater.

And Canal Park Brewing Company is no exception. I mean, the lake is right outside the brewery’s front door.

But that’s not all Canal Park has to offer, of course. It’s technically a modern brewpub, so along with beer, the brewery also serves up a complete menu of great food – while using as many local and organic ingredients as possible.

Kitchen manager/chef Jonathan Katzmark sums it up quite nicely.

“At Canal Park Brewery, we match craft food with craft beer. We use seasonal ingredients and change the menu to match the changing season to offer a unique experience that differs from other restaurants in the twin ports area,” he said. “Our food reflects our ‘northcoaster attitude’ by bringing lots of flavor on the beautiful shore of Lake Superior.”

The brewery also has another claim to fame: A state-of-the-art brewing system — named Gus. Yup, they named the system Gus! It’s manned by head brewer Ryan Woodfill.

“Our 15-barrel brewing system, Gus, is a state of the art stainless steel brewing system from DME (Brewing Solutions). It has a lot of nice features, like a touch screen control panel that would make a lot of brewers jealous!” Woodfill said.

So, for more on the inspiration behind the brewery, challenges it has faced, and more, check out the interview below.

First things first, how did the brewpub come to be?

Co-owner Rockie Kavajecz: Growing up in the northland we heard stories about Fitger’s brewing in Duluth from our mothers cousin, Max, whose father worked at Fitger’s. Max Sr. would bring beer to the family picnics on the farm in Iron River, Wisconsin, back in the 1960s. We were fascinated as youngsters with the Fitger’s brewing complex in Duluth because of the photos and picnics at the farm. Fitger’s was on the waterfront of Lake Superior and we all found that building to be intriguing.

Years later, when the microbrewing industry was in its infancy, we would visit south shore brewing as they started a microbrewery in Ashland, Wisconsin, back in the early-90s at the old Soo Line railroad depot building. We asked Bo Belanger, resident brewmaster, a lot of questions and subsequently created “North Shore Brewing LLC” with hopes of doing the same somewhere in Duluth, Minnesota. It wasn’t until 2007 that we found a location we thought a brewpub would work on and that is where we now have Canal Park Brewing Company. We have considered the brewing business since the 1960s. It took a long, long time, but now that were here and making great beer, we could not be happier.

Canal Park Brewery is a family affair with everyone helping. It takes a team effort and that has never been more true than what happens daily at Canal Park Brewery. Paul Kaz is the main go-to guy for the family and Sara works with Paul to achieve goals set.

Why Duluth? What do you love about your location? Are there certain challenges?

Rockie Kavajecz: The obvious answer is “Lake Superior”. Lake Superior is directly out the front door at CPBC. We are located at pinnacle or point at which Lake Superior (great lakes) begins or ends, depending on how you view the map. Being on Lake Superior is why we were intrigued years ago about Fitger’s and now we’re just down the lake shore from that grand old building.

Duluth is a dynamic town that has the feeling of being on the edge of the wilderness and all that is to the north and benefits greatly with the Twin Cities to our south, only 2 hours away. Our site was the last industrial building in Canal Park, the spring steel manufacture, which made leaf springs for Zambonis, amongst others.

It was an environmental disaster.

We volunteered to undertake an MPCA cleanup with the help of the city of Duluth. It took 1-and-a-half-years to do that before we could start construction.

We won the Brownsfields Rescape Award for doing so. It was nearly $1 million to clean up the property when accounting for all the costs associated with it.

Now for beer…. Why beer? What excites you about it/what do you love about it?

Ryan Woodfill: We brew beer because we must. Duluth is full of brewing history and rich with beer culture.

What’s the philosophy behind canal’s brews?

Ryan Woodfill: At Canal Park Brewing, we brew epic batches of beer. All the beers brewed are flavorful, true to style ales and lagers inspired by the adventurous spirit of the city.

What are your flagship beers?

Ryan Woodfill: Our two best-selling beers are Stoned Surf IPA, which is a classic American IPA, and Nut Hatchet Brown, our award winning English brown ale.

A person new to the area walks into the brewery … what should they start with first beer-wise?

Ryan Woodfill: For someone new to Canal Park Brewing or to craft beer, I would suggest trying a flight of all our beers and then seeing which one they like most. With eight beers on tap that are constantly rotating, there is something for everyone.

What sets you apart from other breweries?

Rockie Kavajecz: Lake Superior water and being located on Lake Superior shoreline, along with state-of-the-art brewery within a building designed to fit the historic Duluth waterfront.

Aside from our brewing system, our brewery is unique in that we are able to use Lake Superior water, some of the best brewing water in the world.

Lastly, what’s next for canal? Steady as she goes, or are there higher ambitions in the works?

Rockie Kavajecz: We have ambitious plans for the future, namely to create for our employees the best possible work conditions, atmosphere and to provide a workplace that benefits all so that each may make a good living wage!