Fitger's Brewhouse

dfried

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +3.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

This is basically the best brewhouse in Minnesota. Every brew here is an above average beer. They know how to do it here. The food is awsome, the service is pretty good, decent atmosphere. The stand out feature of this place though is the quality of the beer. I could drink here all the time, it's nice living a couple hours away so it maintains its novelty, but I would be here everyday if I lived in Duluth. The beer is just so good across the board, and they are so creative seasonally that they keep things interesting. If you are in Duluth, you must stop here as a BA, but it might even be worth planning a trip for.

05-13-2006 01:36:30 | More by dfried

pweis909

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I've been to Fitgers many times, but only once since I started reviewing beers and place s on BA. The brewhouse is located in the old Fitgers Brewery, which has been converted into a shopping complex, hotel, and microbrewery.

Last time I was there, I noticed a sign that says that the brew pub offers tours, although I don't know the details.

I was there at dinner time, and the joint was hopping. A few spaces at the bar, but the tables were all full. I was there for food and to sample a beer. I was faced with a 2 hour drive afterwards, so it was just one beer. Too bad, because they had many available. I had an IPA or a DIPA, either way, was excellent. The friend I was with had the same, and was quite happy.

I took my dinner at the bar -- I had a burrito and my friend had a burger. We both enjoyed the food, which ran us around $8-10 per entree, if I remember correctly. Although busy, we had good service at the bar, and the food arrived promptly.

07-18-2006 12:16:23 | More by pweis909

Sixpoint

New York

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4

What a great place.

I first visited this place by accident. I was on a fishing trip with my father in northern Wisconsin. It started pouring rain one day and we decided to take a day trip and go to Lake Superior. We ended up in Duluth, and soon afterwards, we were at Fitger's Brewhouse. What a score...


Housed in an awesome location overlooking Lake Superior, the atmosphere is great. The brewery is on sort of a balcony overlooking a bluff, and the dining room is adjacent. Not only does the bar have fresh beers on tap, but there is also live music on most weeknights.


I met both of the brewers while I was there. They were very friendly and accomodating, and they also let me have some of their fermenting beers right out of the taps.

When I was here, there were at least 10 different beers on tap, maybe more. Also, the lunch I had was pretty good, and our waitress was very friendly.


Definitely check this place out. All of the beers were very tasty and I'm sure if you like quality you will feel your money was well spent.

12-05-2004 05:51:45 | More by Sixpoint

shadow1961

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I dropped by the Brewhouse, located in the historic Fitgers building yesterday for a drink and a bite to eat. I had last tried the place way back in the early 90's but somehow never made it back for another taste until this tuesday.

The first thing you need to know about the place is that Fitgers is a retail, hospitality, and hotel complex located in what was Fitgers, a gone-but not forgotten Minnesota brewery that went out of business in the late 70's. The sprawling building, located on the shore of Lake Superior, has long since been renovated and it is gorgeous. On the outside the familiar silhouette of the building is preserved- the smokestack with FITGERS painted on the side, and the bright red watertower that used to feed the copper brew kettles (one of which is preserved in the museum on-premises). The exterior is the dark brick typical of local architecture of that vintage, covered in engelman ivy, which is just now coming into it's fall colors. Inside, the building is of lighter red brick and dark old wood. It can be a little daunting getting around, but luckily there are "you are here" map kiosks located throughout the complex. As I said, there are many retail and other shops within, but my interest was the Brewhouse, which happens to be just inside the main entrance and to the right. There are large glass windows set into the hallway, where you can look at the stainless steel kettles and tanks. I was pleased to see that there were also wooden aging tanks. The brewmasters were hard at work within (there are several other clubs in the complex that use their beer as well). I think it's always a plus to be able to drink absolutely fresh beer and to see the actual people who made it. To the side of the brewhouse was the Brewhouse Bar. The decor is all dark wood and brick, very much like I imagine an English pub might be like- wooden columns all covered in placards and booths and tables off to the side in the restaurant side of the pub.
If you sit at the bar, as I chose to do, you can see into the kitchen area and watch the cooks at work. As it happens, one of them (Hi Jessy!) was an old acquaintance from Brainerd, so we visited a bit between orders.

The Brewhouse has 12 beers on tap at any one time- I imagine there are others that rotate in and out as well, but the active ones are displayed on several chalk boards- you can also get growlers of most of them as well, just ask your barman. I had the Big Boat Oatmeal Stout (6.6%), the Hair O' the Monk triple (10%), and the El Nino Double-Hopped IPA (7%). All were good and fit into their respective styles, though I was particularly taken by the wonderful apricot and grapefruit nose of the IPA. Also, even though they were all just 10 oz pours, I was slightly bent- but that's what a lack of sleep an an empty stomach will do for you. Luckily, the Brewhouse has a big menu- with a bewildering selection of the usual bar food and appetizers, as well as a surprisingly large veggie menu. Jessy made me a chicken sandwich with chutney and blue chips. Tasty. All told, with 3 pours, dinner, a growler, and a ten dollar tip, it came out to about forty bucks- a bargain.

To really get the most out of the Brewhouse, plan on getting a room there as well. As it happens, there are several big music festivals and other events in Duluth- it seems like just the place for a short vacation.

09-05-2007 23:27:07 | More by shadow1961

mnstorm99

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Walking in this place has a small bar with tables all around, unfortunately it is a little stuffy in there, but then wheather at the bar or at a table I have always received good service. Those nice servers then bring me whatever wonderful beer I ordered, some of the best beers you can get at a brewpub. The Hoops brothers know what they are doing (head brewers here and at Minneapolis Town Hall). There is always an IPA to choose from as well as some maltier offerings and sometimes even an extreme beer of some sort. They are not afraid to experiment and for that we win. The food has always been good and worth the money you spend on it.

04-16-2008 18:44:21 | More by mnstorm99

objectivemonkey

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$

I had no idea that Fitger's is such a large place. Well, the complex is large, but the brew house is a little more compact. Housed in the remnants of the old Fitger's brewery, its housed on the land locked side, so no Lake Superior views (not good planning, imo). But the place is pretty sweet. Entering, the bar to the left, some general dining ahead and to the right, we (coworker and I) sat up in the loft, at the table with comfy upholstered seats. There was a chalkboard with the beers listed by ABV, and we had several between us, with plenty more available. There were a variety of beers, all pretty good, some better than average, none a knock out, but all were quite good. Service was nice, attractive, attentive, mostly knowledgeable about the beer. I had a bacon BBQ burger, which was pretty stock for pub food. The beer was cheap, the food a little pricier. All in all, I'd most definitely visit any time I'm in Duluth, and am glad to see them whenever they make it down for beer festivals.

02-27-2009 03:35:37 | More by objectivemonkey

dirtylou

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Stopped in at Fitger's twice to/from Isle Royale. The first stop was just for a burger and a pint but the second stop was for a burger and 5 pints.

The brewhouse is located in the Fitger's building, which I didn't get a great feel for. There is an inn, bottle shop and a few other establishments of varying atmosphere.

There were 8-10 taps and a cask. On our first visit Surly Bender was listed as a guest tab. There wasn't anything too crazy going on from a seasonal standpoint but the El Nino IPA, Stafire Pale and Big Boat Oatmeal Stout were all absolutely top notch. Selection has to go to 4.5 due to there being 3 top class standards.

The bar area was pretty small but we managed to land a couple stools for our long 2nd visit. I got the feeling that the place was larger than meets the eye, but didn't really explore outside of the main bar area. The service was mostly strong - just don't try and buy an overpriced tshirt after 9pm as they lock all that stuff up.

The food, while limited mostly to burgers and other pub-fare kind of stuff, was great. Locally raised beef highlights really strong burgers with a variety of options. The onion rings were winners too - perfect for a first meal after coming out of the woods.

The nalgene adventure growlers were pretty - just dont forget about the backwards "no beer on sunday" laws in Minnesota.

Great local brewpub in a very cool town.

08-24-2010 00:24:30 | More by dirtylou

blackie

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

The dirtman and myself made two stops at Fitger's - once en-route to Isle Royale for a quick dinner, and an extended bar visit on the return trip towards Minneapolis

Located within a renovated 1885 brewery that houses a hotel as well as a range of shops, dining, and offices, the brewpub builds upon the inherited rustic ambiance. Lots of wood and brick, low lighting in the evening, lively but not uncomfortably so on a Friday night. Pretty cool half-square shaped bar, though not providing much by way of seating.

Current taps are chalked in various places around the restaurant. On draft were something like 5 standards and 3 seasonal/rotational beers. Everything tasted was fresh and well crafted: the IPA, pale, oatmeal stout, smoked helles, and black wit were all enjoyed. Selection gets a good score in part for the creativity displayed. Both standard glass and clear poly "adventure" growlers were available, though I heard rumour that the latter were lesser in volume.

Went with burgers both visits (nothing like some dead cow after 3 nights of dehydrated camp food), both the beau and the bleu, and very much enjoyed each. Quality beef supposedly fed with brewery grain, on a nice bun, and well topped. As burgers go, those at Fitger's sit pretty high on the chain. Only complaint would be that the cooking was inconsistent, though preferences were never solicited - my first was well-done, while the second cooked to the preferred medium-rare. Fries and onion rings were good, though the latter a little greasy.

Service was good at both bar and table. Samples provided upon request.

08-26-2010 02:12:36 | More by blackie

ndolover

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

The Brewhouse is located in the Fitger's complex. An old brick building located just off the lake. It is a mall, a hotel, a entertainment complex.

The quality of the beers is exceptional. I had a Schwartzviezen black wheat wine. It was crazy good. I also had an IPA and Oatmeal Stout.

The service is good and attentive, but don't expect too much as it is a Up Nort place, don't cha know.

I believe there were about 14 taps of different brews. A standard IPA and a list of different quafables. The did have a beer engine, but it was not online while I was there.

The food is very good for the veggie minded. I may be over selling the food, but I have never had a bad meal and I love the options.

Overall, this is the place to go in the Duluth area. The Thirsty Pagan is in WI, but if I only had one choice for beers in the Duluth area it would be Fitger's

03-30-2011 23:28:57 | More by ndolover

mwilbur

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +1.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Stayed at Fitger's over the 4th. For the atmosphere, the rating is based upon the entire Fitger's experience (their superb location sitting on Lake Superior, the aroma of brewing beer as you walk through the complex, etc.) not just the inside of the brewpub.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of both brew and grub. They had several offerings on tap (and on the menu was a sampler of 7 beers for 7 bucks). I went for the Starfire on cask and the nitro-tap oatmeal stout (excellent!). They offer good pub fare...I enjoyed the salmon burger (the salmon comes from the local Northern Waters Smokehaus...also worth a visit) and would have it again next time. If you are in Duluth, you should do yourself a favor and stop in!
PS--If you are headed to the BWCA and can bear the weight, fill up one of their nalgene adventure growlers.
PPS--Also gotta love a brewpub that will deliver growlers to you (within the Duluth area)!

07-11-2011 04:44:03 | More by mwilbur