FARGO – The Fourth of July might be in the rearview mirror, but there’s still plenty of summer to celebrate. One way to savor what’s left of the warm months is to explore the area’s beer scene via the Craft Brew Trail.
Wondering where to start? The FMCVB’s recommended itinerary is below, along with facts about some of the stops on the brewery tour.
Drekker Brewing began in 2014 as a North Fargo brewery and taproom. In 2023, Drekker introduced Brewhalla, a 100,000-square-foot market, hotel, and event center combination that is helping the brand achieve its stated purpose of being a group. As misfits we decided to build a network and have a smart time.
Today, Drekker Brewing has seven owners, including: Mark Bjornstad; Jesse Feigum; Darín Montplaisir; Mason Montplaisir; Tom Knowlton; Hailey Hoffner; and Nathaniel Navratil.
Bjornstad said Drekker specializes in crafting hazy IPAs, boundary-pushing fruity sours, barrel-aged stouts and a variety of classic lagers.
“We have everything for everyone,” said Bjornstad, who added that Drekker has been ranked among the top ten most sensible breweries in the world through Untappd, a networking service and app that is one of the largest creditors of beer critics in the world. .
Hours: 10 a. m. to 10 p. m. Sunday to Thursday 10 a. m. to 12 p. m. Friday and Saturday
Hours: Market Shops, 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. m. to 6 p. m. m. , daily Thunder Coffee, 6 a. m. – 8 p. m. m. to 6 p. m. m. , daily Unicorn Park, House of Noods
Jared Hardy and Aaron Hill co-founded Fargo Brewing in 2010 and the company began brewing beer in Fargo in 2013.
In 2021, Fargo Brewing added a new ballroom and event hall called “The Hall. ” That same year, Fargo Brewing’s campus welcomed Nice Barber Company and Nova Eatery.
North Dakota’s oldest brewery specializes in what it calls the art of making classic craft beers available in the Midwest style. When it comes to beers, Woodchipper, Stone’s Throw and Kenny’s are among local favorites, according to Fargo Brewing.
Opening hours: 4 p. m. to nine p. m. , Monday11 a. m. to 10 p. m. , Tuesday to SaturdayNoon to 6 p. m. , Sunday
Icewind Brewing Co. opened in Mapleton in June 2020, at the start of the COVID pandemic. At the time, their owners were hoping that at least a few other people would show up.
What they really felt was overwhelming from the network and that continues to this day.
“Icewind has been embraced by the entire community. We have a lot of very unwavering regular customers from Mapleton, Casselton, Kindred and surrounding areas. People love it,” said Jess Larghe, Icewind tasting room manager.
Larghe said all breweries in the domain are smart in their own way and said one thing that sets Icewind apart is the ability to offer other styles of beer.
“We don’t just have mild beers or IPAs. We have great seasonal beers, we have great classic beers that pay homage to Germany and Belgium,” Larghe added.
The owners of Icewind are Rick Brandvold and Tyler Mangin, the latter of whom is also Icewind’s head brewer.
Larghe described Mangin as detail-oriented.
“Their thoroughness is simply helping to produce a product,” he said.
Opening hours: Monday, closed at 4 p. m. to 10 p. m. , Tuesday to Thursday, noon to h, Friday and Saturday at 2 p. m. , to 8 p. m. , Sunday
Junkyard Brewing Co. in Moorhead in 2012 and have temporarily become a vital component of Moorhead’s business scene.
The Moorhead Junkyard location, owned by Aaron Juhnke, is described as a family-friendly environment with a constantly rotating menu that generates a new beer experience with the visit.
All beers have been brewed at Moorhead Brewery for over 10 years, from mild ales, stouts and IPAs to more sours and slushies.
Junkyard’s logo expanded last October when it opened a giant tavern complex in a former bank in West Fargo. The West Fargo location features two giant patios, one of which is a rooftop terrace, as well as 3 bars and plenty of seating.
Michelle Juhnke, owner of the West Fargo store, says her rotating menu of beers and regional offerings is popular, as are her seltzers, slushies and wines.
All this, he says, creates a “pleasant and satisfying atmosphere”.
Opening hours: From 12 to 24 h, Monday to Thursday From 12 to 24 h, Friday and Saturday From 12 to 22 h, Sunday
Hours: 2 p. m. to 10 p. m. , Monday and Tuesday from 12 p. m. to 11 p. m. , Wednesday and Thursday from 12 p. m. to 12 p. m. , Friday and Saturday from 12 p. m. to 9 p. m. , Sunday
Pixeled Brewing Co. opened in the Union Building west of downtown Fargo in 2018.
The brewery’s arcade has a commercial feel and is home to dozens of video games from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.
Hours:
5 p. m. to 10 p. m. , Monday to Thursday 5 p. m. to 00 a. m. , Friday 3 p. m. to 00:00 a. m. , Saturday 12:00 p. m. to 6:00 p. m. , Sunday
Swing Barrel Brewing opened in Moorhead in July 2020, but closed shortly after due to the COVID pandemic.
It reopened in the spring of 2021 and Swing Barrel now offers a varied list of faucets that have something for everyone, according to Sean Syverson, owner of Swing Barrel with John Kapla, Nic Bordwell and Cole Field.
“We have everything from mild lagers to stouts, West Coast and East Coast IPAs, fruity wheats and sours,” Syverson said, adding that when it comes to seltzers, consumers can customize the flavor and strength of their drink.
Syverson said Swing Barrel recently expanded into the Dirty Bird event space in the nearby Armory Annex building.
The expansion, he said, Swing Barrel to host larger events, personal parties, sold-out musical acts, trivia nights and national comedy acts.
Opening hours: 4:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. , Monday 4:00 a. m. to 10:00 p. m. , Tuesday to Thursday 12:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. , Friday and Saturday 2:00 p. m. At 8:00 p. m. , Sunday