About us
In December 2010, future Bent Paddle Brewing Co. founders Bryon, Colin, Laura, and Karen met at a charity event in Minneapolis
– Bryon and Colin, both head brewers at the time, quickly bonded over shared brewing philosophies and a vision to create a sustainably operated brewery. Laura and Karen soon joined the conversation, bringing business, design, and organizational expertise to the table.
From 2011 to early 2013, the four poured their energy into planning, fundraising, site selection, and building out the brewery—culminating in Bent Paddle’s launch in May 2013. Their partnership felt meant to be: they married just nine days apart in 2008 and welcomed their children, Liam Tonnis and Adella Mullen, three days apart in 2012.
More than a decade later, Laura and Colin have stepped away from daily operations, leaving Bent Paddle in the capable hands of Karen, Bryon, and the dedicated team that continues their shared vision.
The mission of Bent Paddle Brewing Co.® is to brew craft beverages with a concentration on sustainability for our business, employees, the environment and the greater community – all while “Bending the Traditions” that we encounter, for a more unique and interesting craft beer + beverage experience.
FAMILY + 50% FEMALE OWNED, OPERATED & COMMUNITY DRIVEN
Bending Tradition® in Duluth, Minnesota since 2013
Our Founders
Co-Founder / CEO + Director of Brewing Operations
Co-Founder / VP of HR & Operations
Co-Founder / President + VP of Systems & Brand Development
Co-Founder
Co-Founder / CEO + Director of Brewing Operations
Co-Founder
Co-Founder / VP of Operations
Co-Founder / VP of Outreach & Marketing
Bryon Tonnis – Co-Founder, CEO & Director of Brewing Operations
Bryon Tonnis, co-founder and CEO of Bent Paddle Brewing Co.®, is originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), where he met his wife and fellow co-founder, Karen, in 1996.
With over two decades of brewing experience, Bryon brewed professionally for 13 years before launching Bent Paddle. He began his brewing career in the Twin Ports area at Twin Ports Brewing Co. (now Thirsty Pagan Brewing). In 2004, he earned his International Diploma in Brewing Technology from the Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy, a dual-location program based in Chicago and Munich. The following year, he joined the Head Brewers Apprenticeship Program at Rock Bottom Brewery in Portland, Oregon, which led to a seven-year tenure as Head Brewer at Rock Bottom Minneapolis—where he earned a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival for his Bastogne Blonde Ale in the French/Belgian Ale category.
As CEO, Bryon helps guide the overall vision and strategic direction of Bent Paddle, working closely with the leadership team to ensure continued growth, innovation, and community connection. He also oversees all aspects of day-to-day brewing operations, including raw material procurement, equipment acquisition, production scheduling, and financial forecasting. In addition, Bryon manages all co-pack partnerships and leads recipe R&D efforts for both Bent Paddle and contract brewing clients—collaborating closely with the brewery’s exceptional production team.
Bryon has been actively involved in the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild since 2005, serving on the board of directors and chairing the festival committee. His commitment to the broader craft beer community continues to influence Bent Paddle’s collaborative and forward-thinking approach.
An outdoor enthusiast at heart, Bryon’s love for paddling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and his passion for brewing helped inspire the name “Bent Paddle.” When he’s not at the brewery, you’ll likely find him skiing, biking, hiking, or exploring the great outdoors.
Colin Mullen – Co-Founder
Colin Mullen, co-founder of Bent Paddle Brewing Co.®, is originally from St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, where he earned a dual degree in Orchestral Music Performance and Psychology. It was during his college years that Colin discovered homebrewing—a passion that would ultimately shape his professional path.
From 2002 to 2008, Colin worked at Midwest Homebrewing Supply in St. Louis Park, focusing on new product development and technology support. In 2004, he stepped into the professional brewing world, working part-time under brewmaster and mentor John Moore at Barley John’s Brew Pub in New Brighton. Known for its scratch-made food and bold, award-winning beers, Barley John’s provided the perfect environment for Colin to refine his craft. He eventually became head brewer, a role he held until early 2012, when he left to fully focus on launching Bent Paddle Brewing Co.®
Colin has also been an active contributor to the broader Minnesota brewing community. Since 2005, he has been involved with the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, serving on the board of directors alongside fellow co-founder Bryon. He chaired the marketing committee and played a key role in organizing the Guild’s flagship beer festivals—Autumn Brew Review, Winterfest, and the inaugural All Pints North Summer Brew Fest in Duluth. His wife and Bent Paddle co-founder, Laura, also produced these events for the Guild from 2007 through 2012.
Colin blended his musical background with his passion for brewing, bringing both a creative and thoughtful vision to Bent Paddle daily leadership for over a decade. In addition to his brewing expertise, he played a critical role in developing the company’s IT systems, communication tools, and technical infrastructure systems, in which he continues to support today in a part-time capacity.
Karen Tonnis – Co-Founder, VP of Operations
Karen Tonnis, co-founder and Vice President of Operations at Bent Paddle Brewing Co.®, oversees the company’s administrative, strategic, and human resources functions, and has recently taken on marketing to help align brand storytelling with the company’s values and goals. She also partners closely with her husband and fellow co-founder, Bryon Tonnis, managing financial operations and overall business leadership.
Karen and Bryon met in 1996 while attending the University of Minnesota Duluth. After more than a decade living and working in other cities, they were thrilled to return to Duluth to open Bent Paddle and raise their son, Liam, in a vibrant, outdoor-loving community. Karen is proud to help shape a values-driven business that gives back while doing what it loves.
Bringing nearly 14 years of experience from her tenure at Sysco Asian Foods, Karen’s expertise in operations, logistics, and human resources fuels her passion for creating a workplace that supports, empowers, and grows with its people.
She also oversees Bent Paddle’s “Paddle It Forward” program, the brewery’s charitable arm, reflecting her strong commitment to community impact.
An adventurer at heart, Karen enjoys traveling, discovering new experiences, and spending time with family and friends. The Tonnis family embraces an active lifestyle, enjoying the great outdoors year-round.
Laura (Salyards-Fryberger) Mullen – Co-Founder
Laura (Salyards-Fryberger) Mullen is a born and raised Duluthian with deep family ties to the area. She graduated from Marshall High School in Duluth and earned a BA in Behavioral Science & Law from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2001.
For over a decade, Laura played a key role at Bent Paddle Brewing Co., focusing on marketing, media, and community relations. She also worked closely with Karen Tonnis for many years on the Paddle It Forward charitable program. Laura is married to fellow co-founder and owner Colin Mullen, and together they have a daughter, Adella, born in 2012, along with many beloved pets.
Before Bent Paddle’s launch in 2013, Laura began her career in event design at the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in Savannah, GA. After relocating to Minneapolis in 2004, she founded Laura Mullen Event Design at age 25 and served as Guild Coordinator for her largest client, the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. A longtime volunteer and leader, Laura has been involved in environmental stewardship, reproductive healthcare, the arts, and local business organizations, and notably served as the first female president of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild board of directors.
In 2025 Laura resigned from her role at Bent Paddle Brewing to pursue new professional endeavors. She remains proud of her time helping to shape the brewery’s growth and impact, as well as celebrating that she and Karen helped make Bent Paddle 50% female-owned.
Laura continues to enjoy Minnesota craft beer history and the camaraderie of the local community in Duluth.
Our Brewery
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.® is a 30-barrel production craft brewery and taproom located in the beautiful northern Great Lakes port town of Duluth, Minnesota.
The brewers of Bent Paddle Brewing Co.® use the amazing water of Lake Superior to brew the freshest and most dependable craft beer and ▲9 hemp derived canna beverages possible. Lake Superior is 10% of the world’s fresh surface water and 100% of our products are made with that water. It is incredibly soft and mimics the water of Pilsen, Czech Republic, the birthplace of Pilsners. Our year-round beers, as well as specialty seasonal offerings and canna, are available in varied keg sizes as well as 12 & 16 oz. cans at bars, liquor stores, restaurants and event facilities throughout Minnesota and beyond, as well as by the glass, 25.4 oz. crowler or 64oz. growler to go in our taproom.
It is our goal at Bent Paddle Brewing Co.® to produce beers and beverages that “Bend the Tradition” of the classic style that they represent. We strive to make drinkable, balanced beers with an edge of inventiveness for all beer lovers to enjoy. We have won over 65 awards for our business, taproom, and beers including several Great American Beer Fest medals including a Gold for 14° Amber Ale, multiple Minnesota Brewer’s Cup awards including Best In Show for our pilot beer Roasty Toasty Porter, and a World Beer Cup Bronze for Bent Hop IPA.
One of the top 10 breweries in Minnesota by barrelage annually, Bent Paddle is now considered a “Legacy Brewery” given the rapidly changing landscape of Minnesota beer in recent years. We are proud of our products, being 50% Women owned, our team, community building, awards, and for being one of the main catalyst business’ that rapidly advanced the revitalization of our Lincoln Park neighborhood in Duluth.