Brews on Broadway, a pop-up patio taproom is now open through the Summer and will be pouring beers from the Fargo Brewing Company.  It is located downtown on Broadway in the former Schumacher Goodyear location at 409 Broadway North.  Their hours are Thursday and Friday from 4PM-10PM and Saturday 9AM-10PM throughout the Summer   Besides the beer they will feature live music picnic tables and bean bags.  Brews on Broadway takes cash only to hit the ATM before you get there.

Follow Brews on Broadway on Facebook to keep up with the schedule for live music and what beers will be on tap.

Stonehome Brewing Company is coming to Watford City, ND and they are looking for a head brewer.  If you or someone you know is interested, send a cover letter and resume to sixshooterhr@gmail.com

Position:
Head Brewer

Job Description:
Stonehome Brewing is a seeking a passionate, technically gifted, quality focused, enthusiastic and qualified head brewer to join our new brewery and brewpub. The head brewer will be responsible for all brewing operations. Duties will include raw materials acquisition and handling, recipe formulation, brewing, cellaring, packaging, boiler maintenance, RO maintenance, and cleaning and sanitation. This is a ground floor position; the head brewer will be intimate with the development and future success of the brewery. The direction Stonehome Brewing follows will hinge on the ability and creative prowess of the brewer. Quality and consistency will be paramount, adherence to procedures and detailed cleaning regiments will be required. This will be a public position; meaning the brewer will have interactions with customers and shall be able convey their passion to the public to promote craft beer. The brewery will be part of a larger operation that has been built on past experience and success in the restaurant industry. We treat beer as food and expect to showcase our beer beside our food.

Job Requirements:
The successful candidate for this role will have formal training at an accredited brewing school or a degree in an applicable science with at least 2 years of brewing experience. The head brewer will operate a new 15 bbl two-vessel steam jacketed brewhouse with (5) 15 bbl fermenters and (2) 15 bbl bright tanks. The brewer will be expected to maintain an acceptable inventory of raw materials and beer, maintain cleanliness and sanitation of all equipment, tanks and work areas to achieve consistent beer quality. They will also be responsible for recording and submitting brewing logs for in-house and state and federal use. The brewer must be able to perform all physical aspects of the position not limited to lifting 55 pounds, twist/turn, reach over shoulders, moonwalk, bend/stoop, and stand/walk on a continual basis. Applicant will also be required to assist in sales in the pub, future outside sales and interact with customers to promote our beer and the craft beer industry. This is a family business looking to expand a shared conviction towards the passion, creativity, and uniqueness of craft beer.

Compensation:
Stonehome Brewing offers competitive compensation, health insurance and a relocation fee for qualified individuals.

Location:
Watford City, North Dakota, the land of oppurtunity

How to Apply:
If you are interested in making your mark on the world, please send a cover letter and resume to sixshooterhr@gmail.com.

The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County presents a new exhibit at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead; Wet & Dry: Alcohol in Clay County 1871-1937.  This exhibit opened on February 16th and will shown for 2 years.

Keep checking back here for more information and a schedule of events associated with this exhibit.

Exhibit website and upcoming events

This exhibit explores the spirited debates around the morality of alcohol, from our Wild West birth through the end of Prohibition, encompassing three major periods: Settlement (1871-1890), the Saloon Era (1890-1915) and Prohibition (1915-1937).

People have enjoyed alcoholic beverages for thousands of years. It’s an important part of our culture – and a multi-billion dollar industry – but alcohol is also a dangerous, addictive drug that can lead to irresponsible and violent behavior, destroying lives and families. Efforts by Clay County residents to resolve this disconnect – to give the people what they want but still maintain social order – are marked by extremes.

Settlement

When settlers founded new communities, they debated whether or not alcohol would be part of it. Once the Northern Pacific Railway arrived in 1871, thousands of settlers streamed into Clay County, claiming land for new farms and creating new villages. As each new community formed, a debate began between those who would ban alcohol (the Drys), those who welcomed alcohol (the Wets) and everybody in between.

The Saloon Era

When Fargo went dry in 1890, Moorhead became infamous for its many – and rowdy – saloons – 45 of them in a town of about 3,700. Moorhead’s Prohibition was more wet than dry, with criminal networks keeping Clay County drinking. City officials and voters could have responsibly regulated and limited the influx of saloons, enforced the law and used the liquor license fees paid by the saloons wisely. But they didn’t. Corruption, law breaking and bad financial decisions plagued Moorhead throughout the 1890s.

Prohibition

In 1915 reformers succeeded in outlawing liquor completely. But Prohibition also did not work out. Although legally dry, Clay County had a very wet Prohibition. Residents did not stop drinking. “Rum-runners” smuggled in large shipments of alcohol from Canada or other parts of the USA. “Moonshiners” secretly made hard liquor in home distilleries. “Bootleggers” sold alcohol on the streets or in cafés. Scores of local businesses and private homes were “Blind Pigs” or “Speak Easies,” illegally selling alcohol under the table or even operating as not-so-secret illegal saloons.

Repeal

As soon as the Drys succeeded in making alcohol illegal in America, Wets went to work trying to repeal (or overturn) Prohibition. The Repeal movement gained support as the American public saw that Prohibition was not working. The Repeal Movement gained steam during the Great Depression. With unemployment soaring, many saw that reviving the alcohol industry would put people back to work and bring needed revenue to the government through alcohol taxes. On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution completely repealed National Prohibition. Although many Clay County communities allowed 3.2 beer in April of 1933, the county did not legalize hard liquor and strong beer until 1937.

From Disgruntled Brewing:

PERHAM — After months of construction and social media excitement, Disgruntled Brewing is set to open its craft brewery and public taproom in Perham. The soft opening and official “first pour” at the taproom and brewery will be held February 7, from 10am to 4pm.

Brett Doebbeling, co-owner and head brewer of Disgruntled Brewing, brings years of brewing experience to the business.

“The building may be new, but the plans to open the brewery have been in the works for six years,” says Doebbeling. “Disgruntled Brewing came from my determination to craft the best beer possible. For years, my family and friends said I’m always a bit ‘disgruntled’ about finding quality craft beer. The disgruntled description stuck and has now become our brand.”

The taproom’s interior design features windows overlooking the brewing area so patrons can view the equipment—from brew house to fermenters and kegs—and see where the beer is created.

“What began as a personal pastime has now evolved into the business of brewing great beer for the public,” says Doebbeling. “We use only choice hops and fine malt and if it takes a little grumbling to get results, it’s worth it.”

Disgruntled Brewing is located in the industrial park at 735 2^nd St. NE, in Perham.

Taproom hours are Thursday through Saturday, 3pm-10pm and Sunday, 11am-4pm.

Using the hashtag #grumpyisgood and with frequent updates on Facebook, Twitter @DisgruntledBrew, and Instagram, Disgruntled Brewing keeps its growing fan base informed leading up to the grand opening this summer.

More information about Disgruntled Brewing can be found in the Growler Magazine article Now Open (Or Damn Close) Disgruntled Brewing

“Doebbeling says he plans to produce several year-round beers from the beginning, and add seasonals to the rotation as he goes—including IPAs, imperial stouts, kettle sours, and fruit beers. His brewing style covers a wide range, from familiar English and German beers to less traditional Americanized recipes. The only thing he doesn’t do, he says, are Belgian beers. One of his planned flagships is Toasted Blond Ale, which utilizes toasted malts. He’s also working on an espresso-infused brown ale. The expectation is to open small and build his lineup in time for a bigger grand opening this summer.”

“Doebbeling plans to focus on in-house sales while anticipating some keg delivery within a 30 mile radius, including Detroit Lakes and Wadena. After that, he says he’ll think about adding 750-milliliter bottles, too.”

2015 was a banner year for breweries in the United States according to the Brewers Association.  They report that as of the end of November, there are now 4,144 breweries in the country, topping the historic high of 4,131 breweries in 1873. (link)
During 2015, 6 new breweries opened in Fargo/Moorhead and surrounding area:

• Bird Dog Brewing (Mandan)
• Kilstone Brewing (Fargo)
• Prairie Rose Meadery (Fargo)
• Rhombus Guys Brewpub (Grand Forks)
• Tavern Brewery (Detroit Lakes)
• Union Pizza & Brewing Company (Fergus Falls)

So lets look ahead into 2016.  A couple of new breweries have been recently announced while some others have been in development for some time.

Disgruntled Brewing

735 2nd St NE, Perham, MN
https://www.facebook.com/TheDisgruntledEmployeeBrewingCompany
https://twitter.com/disgruntledBrew

Disgruntled Brewing started with a bare lot and constructed their building and brewery in 2015 and have recently received their federal Brewers Notice approval.  They are still need to wrap up things with the city and the state before they can open.

They hope to be open in early 2016.

UPDATE: They will have a soft opening on February 7th from 10am-4pm.

From the Growler Magazine – Now Open (Or Damn Close) Disgruntled Brewing

Flatland Brewery

3140 Bluestem Drive, Ste 105, West Fargo, ND
https://www.facebook.com/Flatland-Brewery-692079760920076
http://flatlandbrewery.com/

Flatland Brewery signed the lease to move in to their space in Boulevard Square on Veterans Boulevard back at the end of October and they they hope to be open later in 2016.  They will have a 3bbl brewhouse and initially their beer will only be available their taproom with local distribution possible after that.  They will strive to source as many of their ingredients as locally as possible. Flatland also plans to always have cask conditioned beers available – with two beer engines pouring when they open and may more as time goes on. In addition to mainstay beers plus rotating seasonals and one-off’s, they look to casks for a unique opportunity for experimentation as well, with in-cask additions.

Revelation Ale Works

146 Atlantic Ave, Hallock, MN
https://www.facebook.com/revelationaleworks
http://www.revales.com/
https://twitter.com/revelationales

Located in an old service station in Hallock, MN which is 70 miles north of Grand Forks, Revelation Ale Works hopes to be making beer for everyone by the Fall of 2016.  They are currently running a Kickstarter to help fund the brewery (Kickstarter Link).  The owners already own Red River Hops, a hopyard supplying fresh hops to other local brewers, but they also want to supply beer and a local meeting place to the community.  Their 3 bbl brewhouse will produce stable beers plus some experimental batches and donate a portion of sales to local non-profits.  Their taproom will be family friendly and they will also be brewing nonalcoholic gluten free kombucha and root beer.

Here is an article in the Grand Forks Herald about them – link

Drumconrath Brewing

Fargo, ND
https://www.facebook.com/drumconrathbrewing
https://twitter.com/drumconrathbeer

Drumcontrath Brewing is still working on financing for their brewery in Fargo.  A GoFundMe fundraiser is still on progress so you can help them out – https://www.gofundme.com/drumconrathbrewing

Little Deep Brewing

Minot, ND
https://www.facebook.com/littledeepbeer
http://littledeepbeer.com/

Little Deep took some time off from planning and fundraising in 2015 to spend time with the family and during that time, their very own Jon Lakoduk was one of the first two people in North Dakota to receive the title of Certified Cicerone® after taking the exam in early July.  They plan on coming out of the gate in 2016 stronger and more prepared than ever before.

Drumconrath Brewing hopes to be the next brewery in Fargo and they have started a gofundme to help work out some of the startup costs for the brewery.  There are lots of great rewards again. Check it out and help them get up and running!

www.gofundme.com/drumconrathbrewing

North Dakota is known for being remote, cold, and having the highest per capita beer consumption in the nation.  What North Dakota isn’t known for is great beer.  North Dakota’s 2013 Legislative Assembly worked to try and change that, by overturning an outdated law that all but forbade the production of beer in the state.  With new laws in place, a handful of small breweries have opened up in North Dakota trying to bring great beer to our craft beer impoverished state.  The Drumconrath Brewing Company wants to joint the battle against macro-brewed, average beer, but what we need is your help.  Funds will help us buy equipment large enough to satisfy our immediate needs and allow us the capacity to grow with our community! Funds will also help us secure our location and begin the build-out process.  Lets not leave this great state out in the cold!  North Dakota deserves great beer!

Drumconrath Brewing benefits from its small scale in that it can regularly rotate beer styles on tap, keeping the beer menu fresh and exciting! There will also be a few staple beers that are almost always on tap. The brewery will also benefit from having FOUR NITRO TAPS!!! Why? Because nitro is fun!

Our staple beers will include…
     Drumconrath Irish Dry Stout
     Up the Drums Red Ale
     Gael Abú IPA
     Old Centralia Pale Ale
     Captain Farrell English Bitter
Our rotating beers to include…
     Cascadian Dark Ale
     American Oatmeal Stout 
     English Strong Bitter
     Scottish Ale
     Apple Cider/Graff
     A number of Almost Gluten Free* (AGF) brews!
And many more! And anything we get a wild hair to make!
*Cannot be marketed as gluten free as they are made on the same equipment as gluten containing beer. However, these beers are made strictly from gluten free ingredients.

Entertainment…
     Folk Fridays – Local folk, bluegrass, and traditional musicians will be showcased, bringing that rural pub feel to America’s heartland.
     Local art – We will regularly showcase art and exhibitions from local artists, giving them another venue to engage the community and bring more of the community to our taproom!
     Games, puzzles and more! A wide variety of board and card games, puzzles and special game events…because come on, who doesn’t like a good old fashioned skipbo! tournament?

Drumconrath Brewing can be found on facebook at www.facebook.com/drumconrathbrewing and on twitter @drumconrathbeer

Another brewery is being built in the lakes area of Minnesota.  Tavern Brewing will be brewing their own beer this Summer in Detroit Lakes and now Disgruntled Brewing is setting up operations in Perham, MN and hope to be open in the Fall.

I talked with Brett Doebbeling, the brewer for Disgruntled Brewing and he said “Well we’ve started construction on a new 5000 sq ft building in the industrial park in Perham, MN.  We’ll have a 1000 sq ft taproom attached to a 4000 sq ft production brewery.”  They’re plan has been reviewed and approved by the Deptartment of Agriculture and will soon apply at the Federal level to the TTB.  The two other partners that are involved are Andy Pettow and Craig Salmela of the Perham area.

 Disgruntled Brewing has ordered a 7bbl brewhouse that should arive in late August. Their website and facebook page are in the works and should go public soon.  They plan to have pints, flights, growlers, and 750ml bottles available in the taproom with 1/2 bbl and 1/6 bbl kegs for self distribution.  Cans and/or bottles may be offered in the future. 

 Brett is very excited to bring his own style of brewing to the masses and plans to have 7 year round offerings plus a different seasonal offering every month.

Prairie Rose Meadery is now open at 3109 31st St SE, Suite E, South Fargo (just west of the Flying J Travel Plaza).  Hours are Thursday 5-9pm, Friday 4-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday noon-6pm.
Prairie Rose Meadery on Facebook

Prairie Rose Meadery website

Drumconrath Brewing Company is planning to be the next brewery to open in the Fargo/Moorhead area in the Fall of 2015.

UPDATE – 6/24/2015 from Drumconrath:

Well our Kickstarter didn’t succeed. Big thanks to every that pledged! This is just another bump in the road. No one ever said starting a business was easy right?!

Press Release May 21st:

Fargo, North Dakota, May 22, 2015: Another brewery coming to Fargo. The Drumconrath Brewing Company is planning on opening its doors fall 2015. Named for a small village in Co Meath, Ireland, the brewery’s taproom will be modeled after a rural Irish pub. The brewery will showcase a number of Irish, American, Scottish, and English brews. The upstart hasn’t nailed down an exact location, but is actively looking for the right spot. Drumconrath Brewing is launching its Kickstarter Campaign today. “I’m hoping the community can help get this dream to reality,” says proprietor Sam Corr, “Because that’s what pubs are really about in Ireland, bringing the community together. Community sports, community arts, community in general…all around a good pint.” Drumconrath Brewing can be found on facebook at www.facebook.com/drumconrathbrewing and on twitter @drumconrathbeer

The village crest of Drumconrath Ireland

Lakeside Tavern which is naturally right on the lake in Detroit Lakes has been building a large addition that will house the Tavern Brewery and its 5 barrel brewing system.  Detroit Lakes City Council gave them approval back in December and their brew system showed up in February.

They indicate that Lakeside will have 24 beers on tap and 2 of those beers will be their own beers with plans for a year-round ale along with a rotating seasonal beer.

Lakeside’s plans are for a Grand Opening over Memorial Day weekend.

Fargo Forum article about Lakeside Tavern brewpub

http://www.tavernbrewery.com/

http://lakesidetavern.com/