In ancient times, paganism was a prevalent belief system that encompassed a wide range of practices and rituals. One common aspect of pagan traditions was the offering of libations or drinks to the gods and other spiritual entities. These libations were meant to quench the thirst of these higher beings and were seen as a form of tribute and communion. The concept of a "thirsty pagan" refers to the idea that these gods and spirits are constantly in need of nourishment and sustenance. It suggests that their power and influence are contingent on the offerings they receive from their worshippers. In many pagan cultures, the act of giving a libation was seen as an act of reciprocity.
Thirsty Pagan Brewing
“They changed locations recently,” I said to my wife. We were on the Blatnik Bridge, Lake Superior lay calm to our left with the St. Louis Bay on our right. “Oh really, I don’t remember their old location. Where did they move?” she replied. “They’re in an old train depot, it looks neat,” I said. Our goal was an easy dinner, we had begun a winter trip to Duluth. Pizza sounded the ticket, and craft beer wouldn’t be bad either. Thirsty Pagan it was.
I like trains. I’m no railfain, but the fact that I know the term says something in itself. There is an allure to the industry. It’s cloaked in history—a great deal of cities in the United States owe their existence and growth to the expansion of rail. The fact that so much of our economy still relies on that network continues to impress. No wonder that some of my favorite taprooms happen to neighbor rails, especially when they’re still active. That signature rhythmic sound of the wheels hitting the joints in the rail—it stokes my coals.
Thirsty Pagan moved to their new location in 2019, a train station built in 1908. For most of its life it functioned as a passenger depot, gathering travelers for the Soo Line. A marvelous retro neon sign remains above the building. Rebrands can be an improvement, but when I look at Soo’s new logo compared to their old one I shake my head. What a waste of a beautiful thing. And if you were a 90’s kid and watched the movie Iron Will, you saw this building in it. Much of the charm of an old passenger depot remains. There’s vintage millwork, narrow width hardwood floors, tall ceilings, large windows, and the taproom wanders through hallways and rooms that conjure the past. The wooden doors still have handwritten letters denoting their former purpose. Unless there are still superintendents or general engineers on premise.
We tucked our children on the inside of a booth in the largest area of the taproom. The Wednesday evening crowd was sparse, only a handful of people in the bar (brought from the original location) and a small group of in one of the smaller rooms. Our server approached while we were still settling the kids. We glanced at the beer list and put in our order. The longer we visit breweries the more we lean towards standard styles, of which Thirsty Pagan has many. We stuck on the flagship side of the list, tasting the North Coast Amber Ale, Derailed Ale Pale Ale, and Burntwood Black Dark Ale.
The food was a blur. They sling hand-tossed pizzas with a wealth of toppings. Samantha and I split a Chicken Alfredo pizza while the kids shared cheese bread and snacks. Always snacks. One of the biggest adjustments with having two small children is that restaurant dynamics are a constant wrestling match—with two wrestlers who don’t know the rules and two referees creating them as they go. Our parenting theory is not laissez-faire, we approach things with the mindset of teaching the kids to function as good citizens. But it means a constant stream of “don’t dump marina sauce on the booth” and “don’t shove the bread in dad’s face” and “please just eat.” A little exhausting, but they figure it out eventually.
As we sat and enjoyed our meal, a musician setup on a small stage near us. A few more people had gathered now but it was still intimate. After a few songs, a train rolled through the tracks, visible through the windows behind him. Near forty, novelty is rare. This was an experience I’d never had before. The click clack of the train providing a percussion track to the guitar and vocals was a toe tapping delight. I think about it often when I remember that trip up north. I encourage you to visit Thirsty Pagan and see if you can catch your own lightning in a bottle.
Thirsty Pagan Brewing
In May of 2006 Susan and Steve Knauss purchased the existing Twin Ports Brewing Co. This simple sentence gives insight to the simple approach that these two took in producing a wonderful company, Thirsty Pagan Brewing. Building on a firm foundation of pizza and beer, our two entrepreneurs quickly took a down and out location to a thriving destination. "We recognize our potential in focusing on just two things, pizza and beer. Do those two things correctly, and the world will come to us," says Steve Knauss; and obviously, they have. In February 2011, Gustave Axelson of the New York Times hit the road for a midwestern beer tour of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Axelson's tour included a stop at Thirsty Pagan, but you'll have to read the New York Times article to find out the rest. Just recently, Thirsty Pagan has celebrated their 7th anniversary. "We continue to fine tune our well-oiled machine, and look out for our next great adventure, just around the corner!" What that is, Steve would not allude to. However, with the Pagan's pizza and beer as their foothold on the restaurant community, we can only imagine what these folks may have up their sleeves. Show Less
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Thirsty Pagan's version of a West Coast style IPA, it has a medium light body with a tropical fruit like finish!
Thirsty Pagan's version of a West Coast style IPA, it has a medium light body with a tropical fruit like finish! Read Less
Thirsty Pagan Brewing
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In many pagan cultures, the act of giving a libation was seen as an act of reciprocity. It was believed that by providing the gods with something they desired, humans could establish a mutually beneficial relationship. This was not solely about appeasing powerful entities, but also about maintaining harmony and balance in the natural world.
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The practice of giving libations varied across different pagan traditions. In some cultures, water or milk was poured onto the ground as an offering, symbolizing the sustenance of life. In others, alcoholic beverages such as wine or mead were used, representing the intoxicating power of the gods. Pagan rituals often incorporated the pouring of libations into larger ceremonies. The libations were typically accompanied by prayers or invocations, reinforcing the connection between humans and the divine. These rituals served as a way for individuals to communicate their desires, seek guidance, or simply express gratitude to the gods. The idea of a "thirsty pagan" can be seen as a metaphor for the human need to connect with something greater than ourselves. It acknowledges the universal longing for meaning and purpose, and the belief that there is a spiritual aspect to life that must be acknowledged and nurtured. While the belief in thirsty pagans may no longer be as prevalent in modern society, the concept of offering libations or engaging in symbolic rituals has persisted in various forms. Today, individuals may create altars or sacred spaces in their homes where they can make offerings of food, drink, or other items as a way of connecting with the divine or expressing their spirituality. This practice highlights the enduring human desire to establish a relationship with something beyond the material world. In conclusion, the concept of a "thirsty pagan" reflects the ancient belief that gods and spirits are in constant need of nourishment and tribute. The act of giving libations was seen as a way to forge a connection with these higher powers and maintain harmony in the natural world. While this belief may have subsided in modern times, the desire to connect with the divine and engage in symbolic rituals remains a fundamental aspect of the human experience..
Reviews for "Thirsty Pagan Herbalism: Unlocking the Healing Properties of Plants"
1. Robin - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Thirsty Pagan" after reading some positive reviews, but I was sorely disappointed. The plot was uninteresting and lacked depth, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about their fates. The writing style was also off-putting, with excessive descriptions that dragged the pacing. Overall, "Thirsty Pagan" failed to engage me and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Lauren - 2 stars - "Thirsty Pagan" had an intriguing premise, but it fell flat in execution. The world-building was confusing, and the magical elements were poorly explained. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow and dragging sections, and then rushed and underdeveloped climactic moments. The character development was also lacking, making it difficult to empathize with or care about the fate of the protagonist. Ultimately, "Thirsty Pagan" left me feeling disinterested and wanting more from the story.
3. Michael - 1 star - I couldn't get past the first few chapters of "Thirsty Pagan." The writing style was convoluted and pretentious, making it hard to follow the narrative. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, often sounding more like a poorly written play than a novel. The characters were unlikable and their motivations were unclear. I had high hopes for this book but was incredibly disappointed by the overall execution. "Thirsty Pagan" was a complete miss for me and I wouldn't recommend it to others.