Thirsty Pagan Brewing (Superior, WI)

Earlier this summer while visiting Superior, WI, some friends and I had dinner at Thirsty Pagan Brewing. With such a unique name I wasn’t quite sure what to expect at Thirsty Pagan Brewing! But one of my friends had heard that the food was really good (and I later learned from locals that it’s a well known place in Superior!), so we gave it a try. I quickly found that Thirsty Pagan Brewing was an easy spot to relax with friends, listen to live music, and enjoy delicious food. Come along as I share more about this hot spot in Wisconsin!

In May 2006, Thirsty Pagan Brewing opened at its original location (1623 Broadway Street – one block south of its current location) and became a full-fledged brew pub in Superior’s North End. Under the original and current owner, Steve Knauss, the brewery quickly grew, not only from its beer sales, but it’s gourmet pizza. Starting with a staff of five employees, Thirsty Pagan Brewing currently employs over 30 people. In 2013 Thirsty Pagan Brewing purchased a 7-barrel system to keep up with production. That same year their “wild” or sour beer program began. With a large and dedicated brewing staff, the brewery department excelled, creating world class beer. The staples at Thirsty Pagan Brewing are North Coast Amber, Derailed Ale (American Pale Ale), Burntwood Black (their India Pagan Ale), and their cream ale, “Lawnchair.”

In 2019 Thirsty Pagan Brewing moved to its current location in Superior (1615 Winter Street), which is the old Soo Line Depot. According to the Zenith City Press, the Wisconsin Central Railroad had a passenger depot built in Superior in 1908 (opened for service on December 29, 1908). The depot included a freight station, store houses, a machine shop, and a roundhouse. In 1909 the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Sault Saint Marie Railroad, known as the “Soo Line,” purchased Wisconsin Central Railroad taking over the railroad and the Superior passenger station along with it. The Soo Line still operates, but it has not offered passenger service through Superior (or Duluth) since 1967. The station was used as a freight depot until it closed in 1989. In 1993 the Soo Line Station was used in the Disney film, Iron Will, much of which was shot in Duluth. Have you seen the movie? I remember seeing it not long after it was released and thinking it was a pretty good movie!

According to Trains Magazine, a large Soo Line “dollar” lighted neon logo is on the roof of the depot, but it does not belong to Thirsty Pagan Brewing. After the Soo Line Depot closed, the sign was donated to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, where it was placed in storage. A few years later, the then-owner of the building inquired if he could get it back. A deal was struck: the sign would be returned to the building on indefinite loan from the museum, provided the building owner restored and maintained it in operating condition, and would light it at the museum’s request. The current owner of the building is honoring that agreement and the sign will remain on the depot.

All the history of this old Soo Line Depot was definitely felt during my visit! I love history and checking out old places, so I found this place so much fun!

When it comes to the menu, Thirsty Pagan Brewing has something for everyone! They have an exciting selection of appetizers, salads, pizza, calzones, gluten free and vegetarian options, along with scratch-made desserts. During our visit, my friends enjoyed the Derailed Pizza (fresh garlic, spinach, pepperoni, salami, ham, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, house made spicy Italian sausage, black olives, and pepperoncini). It looked amazing and they said it was! Meanwhile, I devoured a pepperoni calzone with black olives that included mozzarella cheese and house made red sauce inside and on the side for dipping! Everything was delicious!

During and after our meal we enjoyed some live music, which Thirsty Pagan Brewing has daily. Monday through Friday and Sunday from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, and on Saturday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 9:00pm. It was nice to have some good conversation with my friends along with great music!

Thirsty Pagan Brewing offers Catering Services for when you’re looking for amazing pizzas delivered for office meetings or other important life events. They also offer Event Hosting for making your next event a hit by hosting it at Thirsty Pagan Brewing. Thirsty Pagan Brewing will serve fine crafted beer and specialty pizzas along with live music!

Be sure to follow Thirsty Pagan Brewing on Instagram to check out the live music playing daily, and for little reminders about upcoming events like Pretzel & a Pint every Thursday!

Be sure to check out Thirsty Pagan Brewing the next time you’re in Superior, WI! Enjoy some amazing food and drinks along with some history all in once place! Enjoy!