The Dakotas

Discussion in 'Midwest' started by JohnGehan, Jun 13, 2017.

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  1. JohnGehan

    JohnGehan Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2016 Massachusetts

    Hello,

    I am seeking two beers, one from each Dakota state. Would anyone be willing to trade something from the New England region for the Dakotas?

    Thanks,

    John
     
  2. HammsMeASAP

    HammsMeASAP Pundit (907) Jun 14, 2012 Minnesota

    South Dakota might be difficult.......? North Dakota is much easier. Keep us posted and me or someone could help out.
     
  3. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (3,964) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    There is a place from South Dakota that distributes to west-central Minnesota...Perham, Park Rapids for sure...Fernson Brewing Company out of Sioux Falls...anyone in those areas should have access..
     
  4. Victory_Sabre1973

    Victory_Sabre1973 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,561) Sep 15, 2015 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I know they don't make it to St. Cloud. From what I've heard, not a bad thing.
     
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  5. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (3,964) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    The one I had wasn't terrible....not recommended but not the worst..
     
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  6. sahd-1

    sahd-1 Savant (1,155) Jul 2, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    Ok, so my family and I are vacationing in SD this summer. I posted a similar question asking South Dakotans for their best beer/brewery and everyone who replied (maybe 3) all said their breweries were average at best. Is this really true?
     
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  7. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,326) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Well, some are OKer than others, but I have not experienced one that knocked my socks off. These are all pretty small and/or young breweries for the most part. Only one distributes outside the state, and then only a few miles into adjoining states. That said, I have not tried them all, but do live near Sioux Falls where a large number of them are. At this point, my favorite two are Woodgrain in Sioux Falls, and Miner in the Black Hills. Crow peak is not far behind.

    Where specifically will you be vacationing?
     
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  8. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (807) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    I assume you will be vacationing in western SD, (most everyone does). Depending where you are coming from or going to, the following are decent to very solid beer stops in the area:

    1. Wooden Legs Brewing Co. in Brookings SD
    2. Bank Brewing Co. Hendricks MN (western MN)
    3. Brau Bros. Marshall MN (SW MN)
    4. Disgruntled Brewing, Perham MN (W central MN)...*best of the bunch, well worth the drive*.
    5. Junkyard Brewing Co. Moorhead MN

    Nothing in SD, ND, or western MN is very close, so a few extra miles behind the wheel maybe required to get beer from the area.

    You have a tough choice as to what beer route you want to take coming from IL. You could come up through WI, load up on Central Waters, New Glarus, & other great WI beers, then hit the Twin Cities metro area for MN beers or you could head west & catch TG, Pulpit, & the other great Iowa beers...Hmm, tough call.

    Have a great vacation, South Dakota is a great state w/ a lot to see! Cheers!
     
    #8 barrybeerdog, Jun 17, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2017
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  9. sahd-1

    sahd-1 Savant (1,155) Jul 2, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    These last 2 posts sound more encouraging. Wood grain and Wooden Legs have shown up on my radar after some research. I'll look into the other suggestions and see what's feasible. We'll be staying in Custer National Park with several stops along the way via I90 including Spearfish, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and a detour to Decorah on the way back.
    Thanks for the feedback.
     
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  10. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (807) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    You should be able to find good beer along the way. I haven't tried it, but the Midwest BA folks are raving about Forager beer in Rochester MN, (you'll be going right through while on 90) might be something to check out. There is a new Forager thread going right now.

    Are you camping at Custer State Park in SD or going to the Little Bighorn site in Montana? Either way, enjoy your trip & good luck on the beer hunt! Cheers
     
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  11. ZAP

    ZAP Grand Pooh-Bah (3,964) Dec 1, 2001 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Great recap...personally I still have Junkyard in front of Disgruntled but definitely more of a detour if coming from the south....both are excellent...splitting hairs but I'd at least call them co- best of the bunch.
     
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  12. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (807) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    Yeah, those two places maybe a little out of his way from I-90, but well worth the detour in the area!
     
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  13. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,326) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Be sure not to dismiss anything without trying it for yourself, as reviews can be biased. You'll have a chance to visit Miner Brewing which is owned by and co-located with Prairie Berry Winery, not far from Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Miner has some decent Belgian styles which I tried recently. There is also a Prairie Berry wineroom and Miner taproom on 8th street in downtown Sioux Falls.
     
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  14. HammsMeASAP

    HammsMeASAP Pundit (907) Jun 14, 2012 Minnesota

    Disgruntled and Junkyard are waaaaay out the way from I-90. Both are fantastic. But that's quite the detour.
     
  15. SD-Alefan

    SD-Alefan Initiate (0) Dec 12, 2013 South Dakota

    Wooden Legs in Brookings, Woodgrain in Sioux Falls, Lost Cabin in Rapid City as well as Miner and Crow Peak all do solid, and occasionally, outstanding stuff.
     
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  16. sahd-1

    sahd-1 Savant (1,155) Jul 2, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    We're staying in a cabin at Custer State Park in SD. We've got a 7 and 10 year old who haven't roughed it much outside of Chicago. Doing most of the touristy SD stuff.
     
  17. sahd-1

    sahd-1 Savant (1,155) Jul 2, 2013 Illinois
    Trader

    This is always my attitude going in provided the reviews don't totally pan a place. Again, thanks everybody for all the suggestions.
     
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  18. barrybeerdog

    barrybeerdog Pundit (807) Aug 17, 2012 South Dakota

    Nice! What a great vacation plan for young kids! They will have a blast, so much to do & see out that way!
    Have a great trip!
     
    #18 barrybeerdog, Jun 19, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2017
  19. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,326) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    If they - and you - are used to being "connected" (Wifi and cell coverage) it will be a break from that! Coverage can be spotty to non-existent, particularly in the hills. Just saying - you may want to do your research ahead of your trip, and print it out. You'll have coverage in town though.
     
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  20. CarolusP

    CarolusP Zealot (566) Oct 22, 2015 Minnesota

    Have fun on the vacation. I'm biased because I'm a SD native, but I've always loved the Black Hills area. There are tons of things to do, and it isn't horribly crowded like places such as Disney Land (that is, as long as you don't go while the Sturgis motorcycle rally is in full swing).

    As far as breweries in the Black Hills area, be sure to check out Miner Brewing Company. My wife and I stopped there on our honeymoon two years ago, and I was impressed with the flight I bought.
     
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