"The Witch of Willow Hall" is a captivating historical fiction novel written by Hester Fox. Set in the late 18th century, the story revolves around the Montrose family, who move from Boston to the rural town of New Oldbury, Massachusetts. The protagonist, Lydia Montrose, is a young woman struggling with a dark secret and her uncertain place in society. The novel begins with Lydia's family, consisting of her father, mother, older sister Catherine, and younger sister Emeline, settling into their new home at the remote Willow Hall. The Montrose family has left Boston under a shadow of scandal, which is only mentioned briefly at first but gradually becomes a central theme throughout the story. Soon after their arrival, strange occurrences start happening at Willow Hall.

Thirsty pagan brewery

Photo by Lissa Maki

Thirsty Pagan Brewing entered its 14th year of business on May 1. There was no fanfare, simply because owner Steve Knauss was so busy he forgot. Knauss and his staff have been working around the clock to ready the brewpub’s new spot at 1615 Winter St. for opening.

Final inspections and finishing touches were wrapping up Monday at Thirsty Pagan’s new location in the historic Soo Line Depot in Superior. A soft opening is set to happen this week and an official grand opening date is planned for June 8.

Remodeling of the 110-year-old building started in January. Renovations included a new kitchen and HVAC system as well as electrical work. The brewpub’s original location at 1623 Broadway St. in Superior has been closed since May 13 to enable the move.

The former Thirsty Pagan location took the Broadway Street space over from Twin Ports Brewing in 2006. Since then, the establishment has become a mainstay, drawing tourists and locals alike to sample craft beer, gourmet pizza and live music.

Knauss said his goal was to own the building where he operated his business within 10 years. He asked to purchase the Broadway Street location a couple of times but was turned down by the owner, so he decided to look for a building to purchase.

He found the old Soo Line Station, originally built as a passenger depot in 1908, attractive for several reasons: it’s an iconic building in Superior that has better visibility and parking than the previous location. Knauss expects to serve about 20 percent more customers due to these advantages.

New Thirsty Pagan new location – Photo by Lissa Maki

The craftsman-style building doesn’t have additional seating but patrons can expect improved seating. They’ll be able to see and hear the bands better, according to Knauss. Four private rooms are available for event rentals.

The floor plan and expansive ceilings make the new Thirsty Pagan feel spacious, as do the ample windows and natural light. As an added bonus, “It’s one of few places where you have food, beer and restrooms all in the same location,” said Knauss, noting the taproom trend that puts the onus on patrons to order take out.

Regulars will notice some familiar aspects from the old brewpub. The original bar was relocated. The bar was literally rolled over to the new spot, which is only a block away from the old location. The beloved Miller High Life mural that depicts a woman sitting on a crescent moon was also preserved and moved.

Brewer Kathleen Culhane is taking advantage of the move to improve brewing operations and efficiency. The new brewery has room for three more fermenters, which almost doubles its potential capacity, as well as more serving tanks. There will be 16 taplines.

Kathleen Culhane – Photo by Lissa Maki

Culhane started at the Thirsty Pagan in June 2018. The previous head brewer, Allyson Rolph, left to take a job at Earth Rider Brewery.

Rolph had established an esteemed sour program at the Pagan, and Culhane hopes to continue the tradition. “Now that the house beers are solid and stable, I’m looking forward to getting a chance to experiment,” she said, noting that she’s looking to hire an assistant brewer.

Knauss said the feedback from the community so far has been overwhelmingly positive. “Everybody I’ve talked to in the past two months is excited — especially people in Superior — to see this old building revitalized,” he said. “We’re hoping to exceed expectations.”

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Thirsty Pagan Brewing Company

The Thirsty Pagan Brewing Company opened in Superior in 2006, in the former Twin Ports Brewing space. In June 2019, it moved to a new space in another classic old building. We’ll get to all that – but first, the beers!

Thirsty Pagan makes a variety of craft beers, including bourbon barrel-aged varieties and a growing line of sours. When we visited, we really loved the Reinhold Berlin(er) Weisse with rhubarb, a summer sour seasonal. They have several sours named after women’s names from way back. They include the Tilly and the Evelyn, both mixed fermentation sour ambers. Another is Mosie, a blend from a few barrels pitched with Brettanomyces bruxellensis, which creates earthy and mango characteristics with a dry finish. House specialties include the North Coast Amber, Derailed Ale (lots of railroads lead to Superior), an India Pagan Ale, Burntwood Black, the Trouble Maker Triple, Velo Saison, a light lager called Lawn Chair, and more. Some ciders and additional brews are available at times, including a Cracked Pepper Pilsner, American Stout NITRO, and a curious Peanut Butter Oatmeal Stout, which is piquing our curiosity for the return trip.

The main bar at the original location of the Thirsty Pagan Brewing Company.

The Thirsty Pagan brews everything in-house and sells everything on the premises. They offer tours every Saturday at 2pm, which takes about an hour and covers the whole building. It’s best to reserve your spot, as they go in groups of 12 and get filled up quickly. The place originally opened in 2006 in the former Twin Ports Brewing Company. which is where all our pictures are from.

Certain songs are off-limits when bands play The Thirsty Pagan.

As of June 8, 2019, you’ll find the Thirsty Pagan on Winter Street, one block east of Highway 35/Tower Avenue along of U.S. 2/Belknap Street. I-535, U.S. 53, and Highway 13 are also close by. This building is the Soo Line Freight Depot, which was built in 1908 and served the railroad until 1989. It made an appearance in the 1993 Disney movie Iron Will. We’re ready to visit the Thirsty Pagan again in its new location!

Hours:
Monday – Wednesday, 11am – 10pm
Thursday – Sunday, 11am – 11pm

Thirsty Pagan Address:

1615 Winter Street
Superior, WI 54880
(715) 394-2500
Website

Thirsty Pagan Brewing

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Soon after their arrival, strange occurrences start happening at Willow Hall. These unexplainable events, such as mysterious noises, moving objects, and glimpses of a ghostly figure, instill fear and curiosity in Lydia. As the story unfolds, Lydia discovers that she is not the only one in the family with a secret, as her brother Charles also harbors a dark truth.

Amidst the supernatural happenings and family secrets, Lydia finds solace in Jonah, a kind and handsome young man from a neighboring estate. Their growing friendship offers Lydia comfort and companionship in a time of loneliness and confusion. However, their relationship is complicated by the social constraints of the era and the disapproval of Lydia's controlling father. As Lydia delves deeper into the mystery of Willow Hall, she uncovers hidden truths about her family's past and her own true nature. She discovers the long-forgotten power of her ancestors, which leads her to explore her own abilities as a witch. In her journey of self-discovery, Lydia must confront the prejudices and dangers associated with her powers, all while protecting her loved ones. "The Witch of Willow Hall" combines elements of romance, mystery, and the supernatural to create a compelling tale of family, love, and identity. Hester Fox's skillful storytelling and vivid descriptions bring the historical setting to life, immersing readers in the Montrose family's struggles and triumphs. Throughout the novel, Fox explores themes of female empowerment, societal expectations, and the search for one's true self. Lydia's journey from a timid young woman to a strong and independent witch showcases the power of resilience and self-acceptance. "The Witch of Willow Hall" is a captivating and atmospheric novel that will transport readers to a world of secrets, magic, and forbidden love. With its rich historical backdrop and compelling characters, this book offers a thrilling and enchanting reading experience..

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escape to witch mountain 1974