South Dakota probably isn't on your craft beer bucket list, and that's exactly why it should be. While everyone else fights crowds at trendy breweries in Portland or Denver, you could be sipping award-winning lagers in a converted Black Hills mining building or tasting bourbon made from a Prohibition-era family recipe in the Badlands.
The surprising state of South Dakota craft beverages
Here's what shocked me when I started researching South Dakota's beer scene: this state has over 40 breweries pumping $245 million into the local economy. Even more surprising? South Dakota has the most relaxed beer regulations in America, with just 1,177 rules compared to the national average of 10,212. Basically, while other states tie brewers up in red tape, South Dakota lets them get weird with it.
The distillery scene might be smaller with around 10 operations, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in stories. We're talking family bootleggers turned legitimate, scientists crafting brandy that beats international competitions, and a recipe that supposedly got Al Capone drunk at a Chicago wedding. Not your typical tourist attractions, but that's kind of the point.
Where to find liquid gold in the Black Hills
Spearfish Brewing Company leads the pack
If you only visit one brewery in South Dakota (though why would you limit yourself?), make it Spearfish Brewing Company. These folks aren't messing around. They snagged two gold medals at the 2020 U.S. Beer Open Championship, beating out hundreds of other breweries nationwide. That's like your local high school basketball team making it to the NBA finals.
Master brewer Nathan Venner brings serious credentials with 13 years of commercial experience and two Great American Beer Festival silver medals under his belt. He installed South Dakota's first horizontal lagering tanks and a three-stage reverse osmosis water filtration system, which sounds fancy because it is. Try their Copper Midge Amber Lager or the Bobcat Logic Kettle Sour, though honestly, with seven award-winning beers, you can't really go wrong.
The brewery sits at 722 N Main Street in Spearfish, open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 9 PM, extending to 10 PM on weekends. They've partnered with Redwater Kitchen for food and Dakota Seafood for oyster nights, because nothing says "South Dakota" like… oysters? Just go with it.
Dakota Shivers Brewing embraces the altitude
Up in Lead (pronounced "leed," not like the metal), Dakota Shivers Brewing operates at exactly one mile high, and they won't let you forget it. Their 5280 Pale Ale makes the elevation crystal clear, while Dark Matter RyePA pays homage to the underground physics research happening at the nearby Sanford Lab. Yes, there are scientists hunting for dark matter beneath this tiny mining town. No, the beer won't give you superpowers.
What I love about Dakota Shivers is their motto: "The only thing we take seriously is beer." They use locally grown hops and chilis roasted at the town's Dakotamart, creating hyper-local flavors you literally can't find anywhere else. The Whistle Blowin' Stout features Colombian coffee beans, while Down The Hatch brings the heat with New Mexico chilis.
Crow Peak started it all
Before craft beer was cool in the Black Hills, there was Crow Peak. Established in 2007, they hold the title of the area's first craft brewery. Brewmaster Jeff developed his skills living in Germany and England, which explains why their beer actually tastes like beer and not just hoppy water.
Their 11th Hour IPA remains the flagship, but the seasonal experiments keep things interesting. Spruce tip brown ale? Sure. Old Bay and Chai red ale? Why not. The north Spearfish location offers mountain views that make everything taste better, earning them consistent praise as "hands down the best brewery in the Spearfish area."
Eastern breweries worth the detour
Fernson Brewing Company keeps it local
Down in Sioux Falls, Fernson Brewing Company has built their reputation on a farm-to-glass philosophy that actually means something. Their flagship Lion's Paw Lager showcases German brewing traditions, but the real story is their partnership with Wagoo Burger. The beef comes from a farm just 30 minutes away, processed by local small businesses. It's the circle of life, but with beer and burgers.
What sets Fernson apart is their genuine community focus. "Humbly made with people in mind" could sound like corporate nonsense, but spend an afternoon at their brewery and you'll see they mean it. They operate a main brewery plus a downtown satellite location, staying closed only on Mondays because even beer needs a day off.
Remedy Brewing Company brings the party
Three friends decided in 2013 that Sioux Falls "needed a better beer scene," so they created Remedy Brewing Company in a historic downtown building. Their Queen Bee Cream Ale clocks in at 7.3% ABV, which is aggressive for a cream ale but perfectly South Dakotan in its refusal to follow rules.
The Kickball Sour Series takes creativity to absurd levels by using an actual kickball in the brewing process. I can't explain the science, but I can tell you it works. With authentic German Oktoberfest tables, pickleball courts, and regular trivia nights, Remedy earned their TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice award by creating a place where beer is just the beginning of the experience.
Eponymous Brewing Company gets weird (in the best way)
In the college town of Brookings, Eponymous Brewing Company operates a two-barrel nano-brewery that punches way above its weight class. Founded by microbiologist Kyle McElhany and business partner Sean Weber, they specialize in the kind of beer that makes other brewers nervous.
Their barrel-aged sours age for two years using wild yeast and local raspberries from Brookings. If that's too tame, they've also ventured into THC seltzers with candy-inspired flavors, because why not? Their Double Bum Hazy Double IPA earned rave reviews, with one visitor declaring it the "Best IPA in SD."
Find them at 126 Main Avenue South, open Wednesday through Sunday with hours that accommodate both the after-work crowd and the college kids who don't know what "after work" means yet.
Distilleries that honor the past while breaking rules
Dakota Spirits Distillery claims first place
Pierre might be the state capital, but more importantly, it's home to Dakota Spirits Distillery, South Dakota's first legal distillery since Prohibition. Operating from a plateau above the Missouri River, this family-run operation has racked up medals faster than a decorated general.
Their Bickering Brothers Brandy has earned bronze, silver, and "Best in Class" medals from the American Distilling Institute. The 80-gallon copper still produces small batches using 100% South Dakota ingredients, and the state's climate creates perfect conditions for rapid aging in American Oak barrels. Take their intimate tour and you'll understand why destination distillery isn't just marketing speak.
Badlands Distillery keeps it in the family
Exit 150 off I-90 near Badlands National Park leads to more than just stunning rock formations. Badlands Distillery carries on a family tradition that started in the 1920s when great uncles got busted by federal agents for bootlegging. Now they're legitimate, but the rebel spirit remains.
Their Iron Hills Bourbon uses corn grown on the family ranch, while Badlands Special Reserve resurrects that original 1920s recipe. The tasting room features a signature wall where visitors from France, Germany, Poland, and Italy have left their marks. It's like a boozy United Nations, open daily with extended summer hours.
Stone Faces Distillery multitasks
Most distilleries focus on one thing, but Stone Faces at Valiant Vineyards in Vermillion decided to do it all. As part of South Dakota's first commercial winery, they craft wine-distilled vodka alongside gold medal-winning spirits like their Clay Turner 5-Year 108 Proof Rye Whiskey.
Using South Dakota apples for brandy aged in used wine barrels, they prove that local ingredients can create world-class spirits. It's the only place where you can taste wine and spirits made by the same people from the same land, which is either very efficient or slightly confusing after a few samples.
Planning your South Dakota sipping safari
The best time to visit depends on your tolerance for cold and crowds. Summer months from June through August offer perfect weather for brewery hopping, though you'll share the experience with Mount Rushmore tourists. For a more authentic experience, plan around November's Mountain West Beer Fest in Rapid City, where over 80 breweries gather for South Dakota's largest beer celebration.
Geography matters here. The eastern breweries cluster around Sioux Falls, where you can walk between several spots. Out west, Rapid City offers a similar brewery district setup. But reaching the real gems like Dakota Shivers in Lead or Badlands Distillery in Kadoka requires a car and a sense of adventure.
Here's what you need to know about South Dakota's refreshingly simple alcohol laws:
- Sales run 7 AM to 2 AM daily
- No weird Sunday restrictions
- Standard 0.08% BAC limit
- No open containers in vehicles
- Distilleries must use 30% South Dakota ingredients
For accommodations, Rapid City's Hotel Alex Johnson puts you near the brewery district with a side of historic charm. In Kadoka, the Budget Host Sundowner Motor Inn sits literally next door to Badlands Distillery, which is either very convenient or very dangerous. Book about a month ahead unless you enjoy paying tourist season prices.
The South Dakota Craft Beer Passport features 40+ participating breweries and gives structure to your tasting adventure. Think of it as Pokemon Go for adults with better taste in beverages.
Why this matters more than you think
These aren't just places to drink. That $245 million economic impact translates to real jobs and revitalized downtowns. In Lead, Dakota Shivers anchors the historic main street. Ben's Brewing in Yankton stays open 365 days a year because sometimes Christmas needs beer too.
Eastern breweries collaborate with local farmers for grains. Western operations credit Black Hills water for their unique flavor profiles. State law requires distilleries to use at least 30% South Dakota ingredients, ensuring every sip tastes authentically local.
What really sets South Dakota apart is how these craft beverages connect to the broader experience. You're not just visiting a brewery; you're exploring a state where Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and historic Deadwood provide the backdrop. It's the difference between drinking a beer and drinking a beer while watching the sunset paint the Badlands orange.
Time to book that ticket
South Dakota's craft beverage scene rewards the curious. Whether it's Remedy Brewing's Queen Bee Cream Ale that breaks all the style rules, Stone Faces Distillery's wine-distilled vodka that exists nowhere else, or Spearfish Brewing's technical innovations earning national gold medals, these places justify the journey.
The combination of favorable regulations, required local ingredients, and frontier spirit has created something special. These breweries and distilleries don't just serve drinks. They tell stories of bootleggers gone legitimate, scientists turned brewers, and communities rallying around copper stills and steel tanks.
So while everyone else crowds into the same overhyped brewery tours, you could be discovering America's best-kept craft beverage secret. Just don't blame me when you find yourself planning your second trip before finishing the first. South Dakota has that effect on people, especially after a few samples.
