Bent Paddle to celebrate 10 years at Saturday’s ‘Festiversary’

DULUTH, MN. (Northern News Now) - The local brewery is hosting the annual block party Saturday to mark their 10th year of serving pints to Northlanders in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

This year’s festivities include events for people of all ages, including live music, making it a family-friendly affair.

“We have a climbing wall. We have snowboard demos from Damage Boardshop. We’ve got silent disco with Locally Laid Eggs, chickens, all sorts of goodies,” Jenn Hansen, the Social Media and Communications Coordinator for Bent Paddle Brewing, said.

In addition to fun activities, the brewery is taking a fun twist on their staple beers.

“We have a campfire s’mores Cold Press Black, we’ve got a strawberry orange Kanu, we have a Canadian Martini Light Lager which is all of the Light Lager which surprisingly delicious,” Hansen said.

They ordered 29 pounds of marshmallows for the s’mores-inspired Cold Press Black Ale.

“We’re going a little overboard I’m not going to lie, we were kind of just going nuts,” she said.

According to Hansen, around 3,000 Northlanders will make their way to Michigan Street on Saturday for the annual event.

“It’s just a fantastic community,” Hansen said.

At the event, Hansen said there are several secret activities throughout the day.

“You just need to explore everything as much as you can because there’s just little tidbits everywhere,” she said.

This year marks the local brewery’s 10th year serving up frosty beer.

“It helps that the community loves Bent Paddle too, so when I tell people that I work with Bent Paddle they’re always excited,” she said.

“Festiversary” Music Line-up:

• Woodblind (w/ special guests) - Cedar Bound Stage - 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• The Gemstones honoring AfroGeode - Main Stage - 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Feeding Leroy - Cedar Bound Stage - 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Community Toast to 10 Years - Main Stage - 4:45 p.m. 5 p.m.
• Charlie Parr - Main Stage 5 p.m to 6 p.m.
• New Salty Dog - Cedar Bound Stage 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
• Big Wave Dave & The Ripples - Main Stage - 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Officials say beer enthusiasts can taste this year’s “Festiversary” beer lineup, featuring the first tapping of Bent Paddle’s special “10-Year Anniversary Imperial Stout.”

Bent Paddle is also crafting several one-off specialty beers for the event.

Guests can expect spin-offs of fan favorites including an Orange-Berry Kanu, a Campfire S’mores Black Ale, and a Canadian Martini Lager, the brewery’s Light Lager garnished with green olives.

For fans of vintage and rare beers, stop at the Barrel Aged Hut for Double Shot Double Black vintage releases dating back to 2016 as well as Extra Baked pasty stout with chocolate, vanilla & coconut.

Casks inside the Production Brewery include Tequila Lime Light Lager, Poblano Jalapeño Black Ale, and Old Fashioned 14° Degree Amber Ale.

“We went a little overboard with the beers, but it’s our 10-year anniversary so we decided to just go for it,” mentioned brewery co-founder Colin Mullen.

The Frost River Festibear will also make its annual debut.

Historically, taking a selfie with the giant stuffed bear has become an annual tradition for eventgoers.

Other “Festiversary” activities include tarot readings by The Northwoods Witch and dancing in a silent disco with an emotional support chicken courtesy of Locally Laid Egg Co.

Families with children can enjoy the Frost River Kids Area filled with activities ranging from the fan-favorite climbing wall, to snowboard demos by Damage Boardshop, to adoptable puppies.

“Festiversary is a perfect opportunity to bring your family and friends for a fun-filled day at Bent Paddle. Our music lineup, kid-friendly activities, and delicious food options will make this a memorable event for everyone,” co-founder Bryon Tonnis said.

The event will also have a variety of food vendors available.

Mama Roots Food Truck will be serving all vegan dishes, Howard’s Que will be cooking up authentic neighborhood BBQ, and Oasis Del Norte will be serving authentic Mexican tacos, nachos, and burritos.

Looking back at the last 10 years Laura Mullen says, “It’s been a lot of work, but we are so happy we started a business in my hometown of Duluth, and even more so in the wonderful community of Lincoln Park. There are moments every day when we see people out in the town buying a 6-pack, ordering a pint of Bent Paddle in a restaurant, or wearing some of our branded apparel and it lets us know that we are doing something right.”

“Festiversary” tickets are available to purchase in advance online and in the taproom until closing time on Friday for $30.

On the day of the event, tickets will be $35 at the gate.

Tickets include guests’ admission, access to all live music and vendors, a commemorative pint glass, and the first pour of beer is free.

Kids under 14 are free and anyone 14 to 20 plus designated driver tickets are $15.

Full details on “Festiversary” can be found here.

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