The craft brew has swept the nation and Cook County is getting in on the craze with its own local brewery: The Voyageur Brewing Company.
Located on the corner of Highway 61 and 3rd Ave W near the heart of downtown Grand Marais you will find a modern-warehouse-looking building that houses this amazing local company. Come in for the beer and food, stay for the live music, and make some friends along the way. Voyageur is a family-friendly, upbeat local hangout that brings tourists and locals together. With its rooftop deck, outdoor patio, and dog-friendly atmosphere it is welcoming to all. Even non-beer drinkers can come to enjoy the ambiance.
The brews have been expertly crafted by area locals who keep the taste buds of Minnesotans in mind when creating the recipes for their beers. There are the regular favorites like the Devil’s Kettle (an India Pale Ale), Trailbreaker (a Belgian Wheat), Palisade (a Porter), and the Boundary Waters Brunette (a Brown Ale). Then, there are seasonal beers that come in for a short period of time to keep the menu fresh.
These have included December 2016’s Otter Slide Imperial Brown Ale (a Brown Ale with Maple and Peanut Butter). February 2017’s Cold Hunter Milk Stout. August 2017’s Autumn Sun (a Grapefruit Double IPA). And September 2017’s North Road (Fresh Hop Ale). They also offer a unique selection of Beer Cocktails which include the Michelada (a Boundary Waters with Bloody Mary Mix), Beermosa (my personal favorite, the Trailbreakter with Orange Juice and Orange Zest), and the Radler (the Trailbreaker with Grapefruit Juice, Lime, and Ginger).
Looking to pair your beer with some great food? Or, not a beer drinker at all but a lover of quality eats? The Voyageur’s menu may be small, but it’s far from simple in both taste and quality. Keeping in the spirit of being a small craft business, most items are made fresh right in the kitchen, with limited packaged ingredients. Fish comes in fresh straight from Lake Superior and the bread is baked each day in-house. The cheese curds are a must-try. Check out the menu for the full back-story on the curds.
The Picnic Board is another popular dish. Easy to share bread, cheeses, fruit, and steelhead trout. The Sliders, Tacos, Wings, and Flatbreads are available in a variety of styles and options. All of the food is designed to be shared with friends and family around the table. For the little ones, there’s a kid’s menu, with dishes named after the children of staff members. Be sure to save room for a Bacon Toffee Sundae, Porter Float, or a Root Beer Float, too!
Voyageur Brewing Company set out to be a meeting place as well as a company that would give back to the local economy. Since opening, they’ve done just that. Local businesses have hosted private parties here and used the dining area for lunchtime meetings. Softball teams like to swing by after their games. People also gather here before heading out on other North Shore adventures. Live music brings in visitors from all over the Northland.
They host events like board game night and markets featuring local artists. In addition to all of that, Wednesdays are known as Raise a Pint Night, where local non-profits have an easy way to raise money for their cause. In 2017 the company gave over $20,000 monetary and product donations to several area Non-Profits. Some of these have included the North House Folk School, WTIP (local public radio station), Cook County Food Shelf, and the North Shore Health Care Foundation. They are a company that cares not only about providing quality brews and food for customers to enjoy. But also giving back to the community that has made the brewery so successful.
So be sure to swing by for a visit on your next trip to Grand Marais. Hours of operation, a live music schedule, a full menu, and more can be found on the Voyageur Brewing Company website. Be sure to connect with Voyageur Brewing Company on Facebook for even more news and updates. And watch our interview with owner Mike Prom to learn more about this great company.