On Saturday, August 15th, Castle Danger Brewery marked a major milestone with its 15th Anniversary Celebration. The team summed up the spirit of the weekend best: “The celebration was all about 15 years of dangerously good beer, incredible memories, and most importantly, the people who have made it all possible.”
The festivities kicked off Friday evening with live music, featuring a DJ set by The Current’s Bill DeVille followed by a live performance from Alex Lambert.
By 11:00 AM on Saturday, the main event was in full swing. Packed with family-friendly entertainment, the day featured yard games like cornhole and ladder golf, a bouncy house obstacle course, face painting, rock painting, and even a “Hug a Hen” station. Guests also enjoyed local vendors, food trucks, and an Anniversary ATV Giveaway.
From Small Beginnings to a North Shore Staple
Castle Danger Brewery got its start back in 2011 in Castle Danger, Minnesota, operating on a modest 3-barrel brewhouse with just four beers. A few years later, they moved to downtown Two Harbors, opening a taproom, upgrading to a 30-barrel system, and launching their first canning line. To keep up with demand, they expanded again in 2017 with a new Packaging Hall.
Fast-forward 15 years: the brewery now features 22 taps and a stunning view of Lake Superior. While much has grown, the core mission remains the same: brewing great beer on the North Shore and having a lot of fun doing it. Despite brisk weather during the anniversary weekend, hearty locals and North Shore visitors turned out in full force to celebrate. I personally tried the Blueberry Maple Märzen. It had a very full flavor with a hint of blueberry and was very enjoyable.
The Story Behind the Logo
Castle Danger’s logo is shaped like a family crest embedded with local North Shore history. Inside, you’ll find a view of Lake Superior and a white pine perched on a Castle Danger cliff. Before Highway 61 was built in the 1920s, travel along the North Shore happened by boat. Ship captains knew to stay far back from the shore between the two prominent cliffs (castles) to avoid the treacherous reef below. That is where the name and crest originated. Catch Them at the Minnesota State Fair
Today, Castle Danger is a staple across Minnesota, featured at events in Duluth, along the North Shore, and at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. If you’re heading to the State Fair, keep an eye out for their signature brews and specialty fair releases:
• Lemon Agua Fresca Lager (O’Gara’s Bar and Grill)
• Hazy Pineapple Whip (LutherAuto Pit Stop)
• Tropical Aurora Haze (The Hangar)
• Watermelon Sea Salt Lager (Dino’s Mediterranean Fresh)
• Maple Märzen (Ball Park Cafe)
• Sea Salt & Lime Lager (LuLu’s Public House, The Hangar)
• Blood Orange Cream Ale (O’Gara’s Bar and Grill)
• Castle Cream Ale (Giggles’ Campfire Grill, The Hangar, RC’s BBQ, Summer Lakes Boathouse)
• Hazy Sunday (Summer Lakes Boathouse)
To stay up to date on upcoming events and taproom news, follow Castle Danger Brewery on Facebook!
