Driving Across North Dakota - Must Stops?

Laughing Sun in Bismarck. Cool place and good beers.

 

@MNBeerGeek

Are you going to make it through the Twin Cities at all?

 

Go to Billings and then to MPLS, forget ND Billings to MPLS in 12 hours at the worst.

 

If you stop in Fargo-Moorhead, there is some solid beer to be had these days. I really believe Junkyard brewing in Moorhead, MN is not to be missed if you are in that area. Fargo brewing company is worth checking out. Their "taproom" leaves a lot to be desired, but nice dudes and solid beer. If you do stop overnight, I can provide food/bar recommendations as well. Despite what mnbearsfan asserts, Fargo is starting to be not forgettable as far as beer, and has a lot of excellent food these days.

 

Also keep in mind that you'll be passing two of this country's finest national parks: Theodore Roosevelt and Glacier.

 

Theodore Roosevelt is literally divided in half by the highway. It's definitely worth taking a few hours to explore a bit.

 

Drekker is a new one in Fargo as well. Have heard from friends that it's a decent place. If you're stopping in Fargo, I would recommend checking out JL Beers in Fargo for good burgers and beer or if you like pizza, Rhombus Guys make some phenomenal pie and they have a few local beers on tap too.

 

I really hope Drekker improves. When I went there three of us couldn't finish one flight. They were all straight up gross.

 

Happy Harry's is going to have your biggest selection for Fargo. ND is a lot like SD and the distriubution isn't very good. Most of the time when I swing through Fargo on the way to Northern MN to my parents place, I stop at Bridgeview, which is actually Moorhead, just so I can get my Surly fix again.

 

I'd also recommend Bernie's Liquors in Fargo on the ND side. Decent selection, really nice guys, and very convenient from I-94. Just across the boarder (literally the next exit off the interstate from Bernie's) are several bottle shops that small but worthwhile selections. I frequent 99 Bottles on Main Ave, but Bridgeview Liquors is right off I-94. In either case, you'll be able to find some Surly, which is the main attraction, of course.

 

Happy Harry's used to be the best place for beers but in the last few years as the distribution to ND has greatly improved, they haven't really kept up while other places have run past them with their craft selections.

I second the recommendation for Bernie's in Fargo and also note that the new Bottle Barn locations are getting better. In Moorhead. Bridgeview an 99 Bottles are the top but a stop in the Twin Cities could give you an even better selection.

 

Unquestionably, Bridgeview Liquors in Moorhead, MN. Good selection, awesome service. Plus the fact that they are in Minnesota means they see a wider distribution than anyone in Fargo. I was there yesterday and came out with muuuuch more than I needed!

 

I would like to state for the record that although I am sure that the beer scene in Fargo/Moorhead area has increased exponentially in quality in the past few years, I am more in love with the notion that good beer is so abundant nationally that great national parks need to be mentioned as places of visit before breweries.

 

Laughing Sun in Bismarck is worth stopping at. It's a must for me when I go to visit the in laws

 

Any word on Founders KBS in Fargo or Moorhead next week?