Earth Rider Brewing, Superior, WI
- 4 Paws Marketing
- May 9
- 3 min read
Located just across the bridge from Duluth in the port city of Superior, Earth Rider Taproom is the kind of stop that makes you wonder why you didn’t come sooner. With its lakeside roots, strong community ties, and an event space that practically begs you to linger, this brewery doesn’t just brew great beer—it builds a whole vibe around it.
Earth Rider was one of the later stops on our Duluth-area tour, and even with a full day of sipping the day before, this one still stood out, as exceptionally unique - and small town.
Drinks:
While Tapped In is all about the sours, Earth Rider isn’t exactly a sour-focused brewery—but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking. Their lineup is broad with a few tangy selections that are worth mentioning.
I lucked out on stopping in while they were pouring Pêche, their seasonal kettle sour made with real peaches at a 5.5% ABV. It definitely felt like sunshine in a glass. You can really notice the stone fruit aroma when drinking this one. The flavor? Light and crisp with a little bit of tang. If Earth Rider decided to keep this on rotation year-round, and sell it state-wide, I'd pick some up - especially during the summer.
Sour score? We’ll go with a 3/5, not for lack of quality, but just because the sour selection is more of a side note.
Food:
Earth Rider doesn’t have a kitchen, but sounds like you’ll find local food trucks parked outside, especially during weekend events. If you're planning a stop, check out their socials to see who’s in charge of serving up the grub that day. We arrived in an awkward mid-afternoon window when they just opened, so no snacks for us, but the setup looked great for grabbing a beer and hanging outside on a perfect spring day.
Dog Friendliness:
Pup lovers, well, not bad: dogs are welcome out on their huge outdoor space! And we’re not saying they're tolerated—we’re saying water-bowls, clean up bags, and lots of room to roam. We spotted a few optimal sports where dogs can chill with their humans on the deck.
Rating: 2/5 – not fully dog-friendly, but patio dogs are welcome.
Atmosphere:
Earth Rider is tucked into Cedar Lounge, a building that is full of old-school character. Brick walls, steel beams, and a vibe that fits the surroundings and small-town Wisconsin.
What really gives Earth Rider its edge is the outdoor fest area—the taproom opens into a huge beer garden-esc area that must also be a live music venue. There's room for full-on concerts, with fire pits, and events that make this place feel like much more than just a bar.
Atmosphere score: 2.5/5 - probably not a truly fair score, we didn't get to really experience the true brewery atmosphere since we were the only ones there.
Merch & More:
Earth Rider's branding is pretty good. From flannels to pint glasses and stickers (of course), their selection is well-thought out and worth browsing. I wanted to walk out with a sour-focused tee, but there were none to be had.
Rating: 2.5/5 for merch– solid selection, but shirts for every brew except the sour it felt like!
Overall:
Earth Rider might not lead the pack when it comes to sour beer, but it doesn’t need to. What it does do is deliver a solid lineup of well-crafted brews in a setting that’s authentic, inviting, and full of Superior charm.
If you’re doing a Duluth-area and have some time to kill, it might be worth crossing that bridge, if there's something go on. Otherwise, I'd save your gas. Earth Rider Brewery is unique, but you have to really appreciate the small-town, corner bar-type vibe.
Overall Vibe: 2/5
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