Naturally Brewed, Naturally Better

Beer brewing was the first industry at the Head of the Lakes, started in 1859 by German and French immigrants. Pioneer breweries bounced between economic booms and busts until 1885, when August Fitger took charge of the Lake Superior Brewery. Four major breweriesFitgers, Duluth Brewing & Malting, Northern, and Peoplesserved Duluth and Superior through their boom times, struggled during Prohibition, and thrived after its repealbut could not survive the post-war consolidation that put an end to most regional breweries. Fitgers closed in 1972, marking the end of Duluths oldest manufacturerbut the historic facility survived to incubate the areas craft-brewing industry, helping to make the Twin Ports the beer-lovers paradise it is today. Naturally Brewed, Naturally Better tells that story using nearly 600 historic and modern photos, lithographs, and illustrations.