Not much distributed out of SD yet. I think Crow Peak may be one of the only ones. Sioux Falls and near Rapid City are where most of the breweries are located though.
You'd almost have to go there to get anything worthwhile. I'll give a shout out to Wooden Legs, in my hometown of Brookings.
Honestly there isn't much worth while in Sioux Falls SD either. Woodgrain and Hydra are alright I can't stand Fernson. Pile o dirt isn't that great either.
Someone said not much distributed out of South Dakota. I don't know of any South Dakota beers distributed outside the state.
I know that when I was in Fargo, there was a South Dakota beer in the liquor store. I jus don't remember the name.
OK, I was mistaken. Looks like Fernson does distribute cans in Western Minnesota, Western Iowa, Northeast Nebraska, and Southeast North Dakota.
Yep thank god Fernson is shipping out their crap so it all doesnt just sit here in Sioux Falls. Dont be tempted by it so many better options out there any IPA is pretty much better than theirs.
Fernson makes an OK beer, good enough to complete your 50, and it's your best bet to find without traveling to SD. That said, you would have to get close enough to SD in Western MN or IA that you may as well hit Sioux Falls for a short beercation. Stay at a newer hotel on 8th Street and within crawling distance you'll find five taprooms (brewery and non-brewery); Fernson non-brewery taproom, Gandy Dancer/Monk's is a brewery taproom with a great selection from all over, Miner brewing taproom at the Prairie Berry wine bar, Woodgrain brewing taproom, and JL Beers non-brewery taproom. Another brewery/taproom is opening on 8th street this summer.
I would vote against Fernson if you want a below average beer sure nothing to seek out for sure. Hydra is alright and I assume would be just as easy to get in your situation since you wont be close to any other state that thankfully takes Fernson off our hands. You could try Crow Peek too over Fernson as well.
Taking the family out to the Black Hills this summer by way of Chicago. Gun to your head, what's the SD brewery that you South Dakotans are most proud of?
Well, Fernson is really not bad, though I can't say they're a favorite. Instead of hating on them, I'll just hang in there and see if they improve, and if they don't then no big deal. In Sioux Falls Woodgrain is pretty good. I really don't have enough experience with other SD beers, but I'm sure someone will have an opinion.
Fernson sucks man trust me stay away from them! Nothing worth wasting your money or time on. Lions paw and the IPA are garbage if that's the only SD beer you can get stay clear!
So, lacking any other takers, I can tell you that if you can find it on tap, Fernson Porter Nitro is pretty good, but I didn't care for their BA Stout. Out in the hills you'll find Sick 'N Twisted, Miner, Crow Peak, Firehouse, Dakota Shivers, Hay Camp, Knuckle, and Lost Cabin. Of those, I've been to the Miner taproom next to the parent Prairie Berry winery. This is near Mt Rushmore, and worth a stop if anyone is into wine and beer. You'll want to research the others, as I haven't tried them. Have a great trip, hopefully nobody is addicted to cell coverage, pretty dicey up in the hills.
