Brineries of the Black Hills

Yesterday I took a group on the fourth annual Black Hills Brinery Tour--a great opportunity for many to experience different beer and wine options in the area with someone else doing all the driving...the bus driver!  Over the years, it has been so interesting to see the wine and beer industry grow in front of our very eyes.  (Read my blog about our second annual trip here.) The trip leaves many in awe at the wonderful changes happening in our little ol' Black Hills.  This year, Mother Nature was on our side; the weather was beautiful for wine sipping, beer drinking, and patio sitting. 

Since there is not enough time in one day to visit all the establishments in our ever-growing wine and beer trade, here is a list of possible stops for those who would like to create their own "brinery" day.  Cheers!
 

	Number and Variety of Beers	Growlers Filled	Swag	Food	Tastings
Bitter Esters: Custer, SD	Up to seven original beers on tap; many seasonal recipes rotating	Yes, any and all	Shirts, sweatshirts, and growlers	Menu of unique, pub-style food: sandwiches, burgers, appetizers	Build your own flight of 5 oz. tasters of any beers on tap; price depending on beer
Sick ‘N Twisted:  Hill City, SD	Up to fourteen original brews on tap; additional seasonal choices	Yes, any and all; will even trade for ones to add to their collection	Shirts, hats, pants, accessories, growlers, etc.	Soup, sandwiches, soft pretzels	Single 4 oz. taste $1.25; five 4 oz. tastes $6.25
Miner Brewing:  Hill City, SD	Up to ten original brews on tap; up to thirty beer recipes throughout the year	Yes, any and all	Shirts, hats, growlers, growlettes, etc.	Chips and munchies; Prairie Berry Winery bistro restaurant next door	Six 4 oz. tasters for $8.00; single 4 oz. taste $1.50
Firehouse Brewing: Rapid City, SD	Nine original brews on tap at any time out of thirty different brew recipes	Yes, any and all	Shirts, hats, growlers, etc.	Full-service restaurant available	Small tastings given free before purchase of pint
Hay Camp Brewing: Rapid City, SD	Five original brews on tap out of twelve different brew recipes	Yes, any and all	T-shirts and growlers	No food service; can bring in own food; nearby sandwich shop	Up to five 4 oz. tasters for a fee
Dakota Shivers:  Lead, SD	Two or three on tap out of eight different recipes; number will increase with growth	Not at this time; yes in the future when production capabilities increase	T-shirts; growlers in future	Pub snacks and munchies	Up to five tasters for $5.00
The Knuckle Saloon: Sturgis, SD	Seven original brews on tap; still expanding total number of recipes	Yes, any and all	T-shirts, growlers, etc.	Pizza, pasta, wings, salads, sandwiches, appetizers	Four 5 oz. tasters for $7.00; additional tastes $1.00
Crow Peak Brewing: Spearfish, SD	Eight original brews on tap out of twenty-four total recipes	Yes, any and all	T-shirt, growlers, hats, etc.	Pizza	Four 4 oz. tasters for $4.50

Our brinery group two years ago on the second annual tour at Crow Peak Brewing.

An another trip to Bitter Esters in Custer.

 

This year's group at Sick and Twisted/Naked Winery in Hill City.

	Number and Variety of Wines	Wine Club	Swag	Food	Tastings
Naked Winery:  Custer, SD	Grape wines from Oregon; up to 48 different styles of reds, whites, and roses from dry to sweet	Yes, five wine club options from two to twelve bottles, all red or pick own	Shirts, pants, hats, signs, etc.	“Fish and chips”—crackers and chocolate munchies	Six wines for $5.00; free for wine club members
Naked Winery:  Hill City, SD	Grape wines from Oregon; up to 48 different styles of reds, whites, and roses from dry to sweet; fruit wines	Yes, five wine club options from two to twelve bottles, all red or pick own	Shirts, pants, hats, signs, wine accessories, etc.	Soup, sandwiches, soft pretzels, “Fish and chips”—crackers and chocolate munchies	Six wines for $5.00; free for wine club members
Stone Face Winery: Hill City, SD	Grape and fruit wines, some from eastern South Dakota grapes; up to 19 different styles of reds, whites, and roses from dry to sweet	Information not available	Information not available	South Dakota cheese and bread for purchase	Up to four wines for free
Prairie Berry Winery: Hill City, SD	Grape wines and fruit wines; numerous different styles of reds, whites, and roses from dry to sweet	Yes, Legacy or Cru wine clubs with the choice of dry or sweet wines	T-shirts, hats, wine accessories, glasses, home furnishings, books, food products, etc.	Full bistro restaurant with soups, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and desserts.	Up to five wines for free
Firehouse Wine Cellars: Rapid City, SD	Grape wines from South Dakota and west coast grapes; up to 13 different styles of reds, whites, and roses from dry to sweet	Yes, two, four, six, and twelve bottle options with discounts on wine and merchandise	Shirts, hats, growlers, etc.	Full service restaurant two doors down at Firehouse Brewing	Taste as many wines as desired for $1.00 per 1 oz. pour
Dakota's Best Wine and Gifts-- Schade Vineyards in Deadwood, SD and Twisted Pine in Hill City, SD	Dry and sweet styles of red and white grape wines from South Dakota hybrid grapes; sweet and dry fruit wines from South Dakota grown fruit	No wine club options available	Wine accessories and many South Dakota made products	South Dakota cheese plate with complimentary glass; other South Dakota food items for purchase and consumption on premise	One complimentary taste; up to five tastes for $3.00
Belle Joli Winery: Sturgis and Deadwood, SD	Grape wines from estate grown South Dakota and west coast grapes; up to 9 different styles of reds, whites, and desserts from dry to sweet; sparkling wines produced in the traditional style	Yes, wine club members can choose red or white and dry or sweet options	T-shirts and wine accessories	Meat and cheese tray options; flat bread pizzas; cater special events	Up to five wines for $5.00; free for wine club members

Past tour participants enjoying lunch and wine at Prairie Berry Winery.

This year's crew getting the personal treatment at Firehouse Wine Cellars.

The new beautiful Belle Joli facility in Sturgis.

Enjoy the unique wineries and breweries popping up all across the Black Hills.  It is a beautiful area producing some quality beers and wines.  Create your own tour soon...or catch our bus again next spring!