Bent Paddle Brewing Company is a

microbrewery Craft beer is a beer that has been made by craft breweries. They produce smaller amounts of beer, typically less than large breweries, and are often independently owned. Such breweries are generally perceived and marketed as having an emphasis o ...

located in Duluth,

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the List of U.S. states and territories by population, 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minne ...

. In May 2013, their brewery and taproom opened to the public with distribution of kegs and cans in the Duluth area beginning shortly thereafter. In November 2013, limited distribution of cans to liquor stores in the

Minneapolis Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with list of lakes in Minneapolis, thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. ...

- St. Paul area began. An expansion was simultaneously announced with a stated goal of expanding production from 4,500 bbl to 8,000 bbl per year. As of 2015, Bent Paddle reported 13,850 bbl produced for the year.

History

It was founded by Bryon & Karen Tonnis and Colin & Laura Mullen. Bryon Tonnis had most recently worked as the head brewer at the

Rock Bottom Brewery SPB Hospitality is a multi-brand restaurant operator headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company owned several casual dining restaurant chain brands, including Logan's Roadhouse, Old Chicago, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants, and Rock Bottom R ...

location in Minneapolis while Colin Mullen had been the head brewer at Barley John's Brew Pub in

New Brighton New Brighton is the name of several places, sports teams etc.: Australia * New Brighton, New South Wales, a town near Ocean Shores Canada * New Brighton, Calgary, Alberta, a neighborhood * New Brighton (Gambier Island), a settlement in British ...

, Minnesota. Karen Tonnis manages the brewery's operations and distribution while Laura Mullen manages outreach and events (areas in which both have prior professional experience). The origin of the brewery's name comes from both a bent canoe paddle Bryon Tonnis had used to mix his brewing mash as well as the brewers' shared love of

canoeing Canoeing is an activity which involves paddling a canoe with a single-bladed paddle. Common meanings of the term are limited to when the canoeing is the central purpose of the activity. Broader meanings include when it is combined with other ac ...

. The original taproom closed to the public in April 2018, while a new one opened just a block away. The original building remains Bent Paddle's primary brewing facility.

Awards

As part of their "Best of MN" awards, the

Minneapolis Star-Tribune Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

named Bent Paddle the best new brewery in Greater Minnesota for 2014. The brewery also won a bronze medal at the 2014

Great American Beer Festival The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is an annual beer festival hosted by the Brewers Association, held in Denver, Colorado. Typically held in late September or early October, the event is currently held at Denver's Colorado Convention Cent ...

for their 14°

ESB ESB may refer to: Education * École supérieure du bois, a French engineering College * Edwards School of Business, at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada * English Speaking Board, a British educational charity * ESB Business School, at R ...

. The same beer won gold at the 2017 festival.

Logo dispute

In August 2014,

Long Trail Brewing Company Long Trail Brewing Company is a regional brewery in Bridgewater Corners, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1989 by Andy Pherson in the basement of the Bridgewater Woolen Mill, the company relocated to its current brewing facility and visitor c ...

filed a

trademark infringement Trademark infringement is a violation of the exclusive rights attached to a trademark without the authorization of the trademark owner or any licensees (provided that such authorization was within the scope of the licence). Infringement may ...

suit against Bent Paddle for using a logo of a hiker with a backpack similar to their own. The suit was amicably settled in December 2014 with Bent Paddle agreeing to discontinue the use of that logo and both breweries making charitable donations to hiking-related groups in one another's states.

References

Beer brewing companies based in Minnesota 2013 establishments in Minnesota American companies established in 2013 {{coord, 46.767726, -92.122010, display=t