USA, MN: Warrior Brewing Co. planning a nano brewery in historic Duluth Armory

Warrior Brewing Co. 's co-owners, Matt Caple and Ben Gipson, have expanded their Lincoln Park taproom and also plan to open a nano brewery in the historic Duluth Armory on the horizon, the Duluth News Tribune reported on May 18.

Having surpassed their original five-year business plan after just two years from opening, the veteran-owned and operated brewery strives to continue providing an engaging space for its patrons, said Caple.

"We're constantly making sure we don't put the cart in front of the horse, so to speak," he said. "Our taproom expansion is paramount to us continuing to grow here at this location."

Warrior Brewing is located at 2711 W. Superior St. in the building owned by King Chris and King Dan revocable trusts, and is managed by King Properties Duluth .

The new taproom space was previously occupied by CPL Imaging , which recently relocated to 2301 W. Superior St.

At their distributors' request, Warrior Brewing increased its production capacity to meet the growing demand for their product.

Gipson added: "There are still a lot of people knocking on our door trying to get us to go bigger."

As they expanded, two 620-gallon (20-barrel) tanks and two 930-gallon (30-barrel) tanks were added to the mash tun, brew kettle and 310-gallon tanks the brewery began with.

Up to two-thirds of the company's beer production goes out to distributors each month. In the busy summer season, that averages 150 barrels, Caple said, and slows to around 100 barrels per month during the off-season.

The added production revenue afforded the additional lease, preparation for the new taproom and an outdoor patio.

"This is going to allow us to really kick out some beer this summer and not have to worry about tearing down and setting up again for the taproom," Gipson said.

"We have been putting in sweat equity since we started," Caple said.

Warrior Brewing owners knocked a hole in the wall to connect the production area to their new taproom, built a stage, put up lighting, installed a fan and built more tables.

"We want to keep it somewhat intimate, where the proprietors are always somewhat involved," Caple said. "You don't get that at a lot of breweries."

Since first opening in May 2021, it was production-only at Warrior Brewing until the original 30-seat taproom debuted on the production floor in September 2022.

"It's not an ideal spot because if we're actively brewing, we can't have the taproom open. It's a legality thing," Caple said.

Moving the taproom to the expanded building space will double the seating capacity.

Food trucks will be on-site through fall, and bands playing live music on the weekends. Caple anticipates needing to hire some part-time weekend bartenders this summer.

The production space will remain available for private events.

19 May, 2023