Best North Dakota beers

seekabrew.com. There ain't much up there and it will depend on where you are going. There is a brewer called "Fargo" that cans.

 

Where will you be in ND? That will make a difference.

 

Check out FMBeer.com. It's a blog that focuses on the Fargo/Moorhead area that may be of use to you.

 

This... if you are in Fargo, you are in MN territory basically as well and have tons of options (ie Surly). If you are in like Bismark or Dickinson, then you are kinda screwed for good beer. Fargo Brewing Co, is ok imo... but coming from Colorado you are most likely going to be severely disappointed.

 

I think Bismarck has two or three now and Minot maybe one....Laughing Sun is one in Bismarck I have heard decent things on but have yet to try...

 

That's good to know, My wife is from near Dickinson so we travel through Bismarck when visiting and stop and visit her extended family there... but haven't been there in a while (which is nice, but don't tell my wife I said that ).

 

Was at Laughing Sun two years ago and really liked the vibe there and the beers were also very good. Worth checking out in Bismarck.

 

I had a good experience in Fargo at Drekker about a month ago. I've also heard good things about Barnyard across the river in Moorhead, but I didn't have time to check it out.

Overall, the North Dakota beer scene is growing, but still leaves quite a bit to be desired.

 

Its Junkyard Brewing in Moorhead. They don't do beers with the barnyard funk yet but they just doubled the size of their brewing system and they do lots of different things so their taplist is always changing.

A few years ago ND didn't have a single brewery in the state other than a Granite City fermenting beer so percentage-wise, ND's growth is HUGE. Fargo gets another brewery next month, a meadery by the summer and probably another brewery by the end of the year. Liquor stores in Grand Forks and now Fargo will be filling Growlers Bismarck will proabably start soon.

We're still years behind other states but that gap is closing with more local breweries and better distribution (Laganitas and Lakefront just started limited distribution). Liquor laws are actually pretty good with self distribution allowed, Sunday sales, and growler fills at bars and liquor stores. No grocery store sales though.

 

When will those growlers fills begin in Grand Forks at liquor stores? Any idea on pricing?

 

Both Happy Harry's in GF have been filling growlers for a while. The new Bottle Barn in West Fargo just opened and they also have a Growler Station setup. Prices there were very competitive at $10 or less for most beers and they fill any growler too. Not sure about the prices at the HH locations.

 

I know it's Junkyard, I just had a derp moment.

 

We're headed up to the Moorhead area this weekend. From this thread, I assume Junkyard is the place to check out? Thanks for any suggestions...

 

Junkyard, Drekker, and Fargo Brewing are all in the area. I'm partial to the first two based on their beers I've had offsite. If you're looking for a liquor store, Bridgeview Liquors in Moorhead is the one you want. 99 Bottles (also in Moorhead) is good and just expanded, but I think a lot of their expansion was for more wine and I really found the selection and staff more beer-focused at Bridgeview. Have fun!

 

I was there a couple weeks ago. I had a Lemongrass Gose that was killer.

 

For great burgers, fries, and a good taplist, JL Beers is the place to go. There are a few locations in the area, including Moorhead.

 

Yes to Junkyard. Fargo Brewing is really putting out a solid product these days. When I was at Drekker, every single beer was gross. Straight up gross. 3 of us couldn't finish a flight. JL Beers is solid, especially for the prices on food. Wurst Bier Hall is like New Bohemia with better food (get the pretzels... seriously).

 

I definitely agree that Junkyard is producing the best local beer in the FM area. Fargo Brewing is decent and I won't say anything about Drekker because my Mom taught me that if I don't have anything nice to say...

 

By looking at the reviews for Drekker on here, it doesn't appear that their beers are too gross, although those reviews only come from a handful of people.