Some of you may remember the Hamm’s Beer Commercials with Sascha the bear and trainer Earl Hammond. What you may not know is many of the commercials were filmed at the end of the Gunflint Trail.
It’s difficult to get a dog to behave in a canoe so imagine getting a fully grown bear to ride around in a canoe. That is exactly what the red canoe hanging above the retail area in the taproom was used for. Sascha stood on the gunwales in the bow of the canoe as Earl motored at the stern.
Ralph and Bea Griffis, owners of Chik-Wauk Lodge at the end of the Gunflint Trail, hosted Earl and Sascha at the lodge during the filming of the commercials. The canoe hung in their lodge until 2000 when the USFS took over ownership of the property. We were good friends with the Griffis and when we had an opportunity to purchase the canoe we couldn’t pass it up. It hung in our lodge at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters until 2015 when we moved it to the taproom where more folks could enjoy it’s beauty.
Today you can visit Chik-Wauk during the summer months, it’s a great museum and nature center at the end of the Trail. If you’re up there, stop by Voyageur Canoe Outffiters and enjoy a Voyageur beer!
Susan Thompson of North Road Hops just up the road in Hovland, Minnesota has spent the summer growing a variety of hops for Voyageur Brewing Company. Amazingly, hops grow wild in our harsh northern climate and even other varieties will thrive as perennials. Thompson says, “The latitude of the hopContinue Reading
I knew there were tons of different beer glasses out there but I didn’t know which to use for each beer. Who knew beer could taste so different? We’ve come a long way baby. My first beer was probably Milwaukee’s Best out of an aluminum can, how about you? ThanksContinue Reading
One of our goals in building the brewery in Grand Marais was to buy or use local whenever possible. We feel we have done an excellent job at that by using local carpenters, plumbers, electricians and tradespeople on the brewery. Another way we have contributed to reaching that goal isContinue Reading
A dream team with experience and passion for the craft will help launch this new brewery in Grand Marais, MN Owners of Voyageur Brewing Company in Grand Marais, MN, today announced its brewing team. The new production brewery and taproom plans to open in Grand Marais, MN, in early 2015.Continue Reading
It isn’t Christmas yet but that didn’t stop us from placing a tree on top of the Voyageur Brewery in Grand Marais last week. This was done according to a Scandinavian Tradition known as “topping-out.” In the past it was a religious rite to place a tree or branch onContinue Reading
Are you looking for a change of scenery and ready to have some fun at work? Then we may have what you are looking for at the Voyageur Brewery in Grand Marais, Minnesota. We’re interested in people who have a positive attitude and who others describe as energetic, enthusiastic, hard-working,Continue Reading
It has been very gratifying to have friends and neighbors comment on the progress of our brewery in Grand Marais, and ask for more photos and information. Thank you! As the season changes we scurry like ants, making decisions on the building and equipment, and brainstorming ideas for future events.Continue Reading
Voyageur Brewing Company made the front page of the Duluth News Tribune in this Sunday’s paper. What a great article Jana Hollingsworth wrote accompanied by some awesome photos taken by Clint Austin. Thanks for coming up to visit us in Grand Marais, can’t wait until we can offer them aContinue Reading
There is always something to do in Grand Marais, Minnesota and we’re so excited to be a part of all of the future happenings. People visit for a number of reasons including attending a class at the North House Folk School, staying at a resort, visiting relatives, going on aContinue Reading
Don’t Miss Out on our Head Brewer Position at Voyageur Brewing Company This is an opportunity of a lifetime for someone who wants to create exceptional beer for a successful brewery opening soon. Voyageur Brewing Company is currently under construction and plans to be brewing by the end of summer. Continue Reading