A Guide to the Northern Superior Brewing and Tap Room

Craft beer brewing has had a long and rich history in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario for well over one hundred years. Since 1907, Northern Superior Brewing Company has seen many changes and rebrands—yet through it all the brewery has continued producing quality craft beer. Check out their origin story here. Originally known as Northern Brewing, Northern Superior has thankfully kept the original wolf logo, a nostalgic sight for locals. 

Today Northern Superior Brewery Co. is owned by Jeff Dicorpo and Tim Lukenda. They are hands-on owners and very much part of the daily operation of the company. This successful brewery enjoys a loyal following both locally and throughout Ontario. 

I met up with Liza Scali, the Tap Room Manager. “Our main focus is local”, said Liza. “We have partnerships with local restaurants, bars, local music, charities, service clubs, the Soo Greyhounds hockey team and the community."

Their products are distributed through the LCBO (Liquour Control Board of Ontario) retail outlets, as well as in grocery stores across the province. Local customers can also buy kegs, cases, and six-packs from the Tap Room and the brewery. 

The head Brew Master is Blake Winter, who completed an intense apprenticeship program with a master brewer in the Niagara area. He learned the art of beer making and brought his skills to Northern Superior Brewery more than a decade ago.

With Blake and his team’s expertise and guidance, Northern Superior brews eight types of beer along with seasonal and custom brews.    

A List of Northern Superior Brewing Beers

Red Maple Irish Ale 
“A signature brand beer, incorporating locally sourced maple syrup in an easy-drinking red ale with a distinctive northern Canadian flavour.”

Northern Superior Lager 
“Our flagship beer that put us on the map for craft beer fans. Clean, crisp Canadian lager with a dry finish made with northern water.”

Northern 55 Amber Lager
“A traditional marzen, or Oktoberfest style beer. Enjoyed year-round for its malty full-bodied flavour accented by slight spice hop bitterness and amber colour.”

11 PM Lager
“Traditional German black lager will delight your taste buds with notes of chocolate and coffee in a surprisingly easy-drinking beer.”

17 North Pale Ale
“All-natural unfiltered wheat pale ale with a distinct citrus mango flavour and the hoppiness of a true pale ale designed for the adventurous craft beer fan.”

Gitche Gumee Northern IPA
“This double IPA made with centennial and cascade hops featuring pin, citrus and floral notes will bring you back to camp on the shores of the greatest freshwater lake in the world.”

Northern Lights Pilsner 
“Our all-natural light pilsner! A clean crisp pilsner that is light and refreshing for when your thirst demands more than just one.”

Hound Town Golden Ale
“This special edition golden ale was crafted to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of our hometown team, the Soo Greyhounds, it’s an easy drinking ale that can be enjoyed year-round. 

Visit the Tap Room at Northern Superior Brewing

In the Tap Room, situated across the street from the brewery, visitors can enjoy a sampling of beer by the glass or as a flight of three.

They also offer a selection of alternative beverages like wine, cocktails and whiskey, including non-alcoholic beer. Seasonal brews and bites are also available depending on the time of year. The Tap Room also serves Tap Room Bites, like sourdough pretzels with house-made beer cheese or mustard, Dogos with ketchup and mustard or house-made beer cheese, marinated olives, Qdoba Chips with queso or salsa and a Tap Room Charcuterie Board. 

The Tap Room is open year-round—they have popular heated igloos on the patio, where guests can enjoy their favourite beverage and snack outside during the cold winter months. In the summer, the rooftop deck has become the go-to place to meet up with friends and for visitors to enjoy the downtown nightlife overlooking the river. 

Northern Superior Brewing has worked hard to build local partnerships and to make its clientele feel welcome and at home. “Our Legends Club has been a big hit with our clients, along with our game and trivia nights, and our lineup of live music,” said Liza. “We enjoy getting involved with local charities, for example, we were able to make a donation to the Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society from donations from trivia nights, legends nights and private contributions. We also live stream the Soo Greyhounds games," she added. 

Did I mention dogs are welcome to the tap room inside and outdoors? Yes, Northern Superior Brewing loves dogs and has created events to ensure that furry friends are included.

The brewery and tap room are located in the downtown area of Sault Ste. Marie with the Canadian Heritage Bushplane Centre next door and the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site across the street. Northern Superior Brewing is a member of the Ontario Craft Brewers and is on their beer trail which attracts travellers from all over the world. 

Liza and the whole Northern Superior Brewing Co. team have created a sense of community and a culture of making their guests feel welcome. You’re invited to check them out!

Northern Superior Brewing Co. & Tap Room

50 Pim Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (next to the Bush Plane Heritage Centre)
Phone: 705-450-SHOT (7468)

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