Kelsey Picek and Allyson Rolph in the Thirsty Pagan beer garden

Beginning this weekend, Twin Ports beer lovers have another option for outdoor imbibing. Thirsty Pagan Brewing’s new beer garden held its soft opening on Friday. The brewpub at 1623 Broadway in Superior is known for its tasty brews and delectable deep-dish pizzas.

The beer garden occupies a space behind the building that is fully fenced and can be accessed via the parking lot. It features several oversized picnic tables and can seat about 25 people with standing room for about 25 more.

There’s also a small stage near the bar area. Beer garden manager Kelsey Picek says the stage will feature live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. There are plans to grow herbs in containers in the garden for use in pizza. Lemon balm was grown last year and used in beer production.

Brewer Allyson Rolph plans to pour some special firkins and seasonals in the beer garden that aren’t available inside the pub. Dates aren’t solidified, but she says sour beer and bourbon-barrel aged beer festivals may be on tap for fall. The Pagan had its first sour fest in October in the beer garden, but the garden hasn’t been open since.

Thirsty Pagan is celebrating its 10-year anniversary next week, on May 4. The beer garden’s grand opening weekend begins Thursday, May 5, which overlaps the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival’s Superior night. Festival music starts at 9:45 p.m. inside the pub, but Kyle Ollah will be playing outside in the beer garden at 6 p.m.

Regular beer garden hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and noon to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.