Like many good stories…this one started with wine.
The story
began when Rob and Kim Livingston had an idea—they wanted to bring a winery
tasting room to the Black Hills. They
searched for business partners and found an Oregon winery looking to expand. In 2011, the initial Naked Winery Tasting Room was opened in Custer, and the Hill City location soon followed. (Read one of my very early blogs about Naked Winery's opening here.)
Rob and Kim
jumped into the world of wine head first.
They expanded their tasting room in Hill City while expanding their
clientele. They brought in additional
wines and blended their own.
But this is not the end of the story. Quite far from it. It is actually the beginning of another
story.
Not long
after Naked Wines became a success in the Black Hills, Rob and Kim knew they
wanted to diversify. Rob had long been a
beer lover, especially of beer heavy on hops that add the strong, biting flavor. It was a match made in heaven between the
wines already at the tasting room and the beer Rob wanted to produce, so he
again expanded, and Sick and Twisted Brewing was born.
Sick and
Twisted stays in the same vein as Naked’s wines—a little bit of naughty and a
whole lot of fun. If you blush easily,
some of the names might make you uncomfortable, but if you take your beer more
seriously than you do yourself, this is the place for you.
On any
given day, Sick and Twisted has 18 beers on tap, but that doesn’t include
numerous other batches that might be brewing in back. Rob and Kim both love to cook, and this love
is where many of the beer ideas originate.
Rob creates all the recipes, and always makes sure to have a variety of
styles on the menu. For instance, there
is always an ale, a stout, and an IPA from which to choose.
Though
these are the “usual” suspects most expect to see, there are many very unusual
options here as well. Yes, a blonde ale
is common. But what about a watermelon
blond ale? An IPA is also common. But what about a Black Hills spruce tip IPA? Other unique features
include Juicy Ginger and Sour Puss—both fun, citrusy options. Then there is the Sexy Senorita, a chocolate,
coffee, chili stout.
As Rob
comments, he is “having a gas” making these beers. The twinkle in his eye is visible when he
talks about his creations. One
especially has him grinning. At the
Great American Beer Fest in 2012, he saw a peanut butter beer. He came home determined to make his own. He took his Nut Hugger, an already earthy and
nutty beer, and added peanut butter. Each
time he makes it, he changes the jelly flavoring. However, also each time he makes it, it is a
huge success. The last time Rob poured
this at a tasting event with the public, the first keg tapped out in an hour
and twelve minutes; the second was gone in an hour and fifteen minutes.
Sick and
Twisted’s story continues with Rob’s newest project, the exclusive contract for
producing Rushmore beers. The names and
labels will not only reflect the four presidents on Mount Rushmore, but they
will also be unique brews. The first is
Honest Abe, a red ale for President Lincoln. The Never Lie Porter
represents George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson is on the label of Declaration of Independence
IPA. Perhaps the most unique Rushmore
beer is the Big Stick Lemongrass for President Roosevelt, a lemongrass and mint
beer inspired by a mint julep.
Sick and
Twisted cans several beers and fills growlers too, so these unique Black Hills beers
can be enjoyed no matter where home is. Food options consist of pizzas, sandwiches,
soft pretzels, and cheese plates. Fun
events, including comedians and costume parties, are a continued example of the
fun vibe Kim and Rob try to encourage here.
The story
of Sick and Twisted all started with a love of wine. However, the appreciation of beer soon
followed to continue to thicken the plot for Rob and Kim Livingston. They are having a ton of fun taking the “pecksniffery”
out of both quality wine and craft beer.
They take customers on quite an entertaining trip, all via a pint of
beer. Luckily, their story is not finished
yet.
Easy Amber—This is the beer for beginners and Bud Light lovers. Just 4% alcohol and only 1.5 IBU
(international bitterness units), this is a light-bodied beer any drinker will
love.
Naughty Red Head—The imperial red ale is a beer for all
year. The more serious beer aficionado will
enjoy this one due to its slightly heavier alcohol and much heavier IBU (43.1)
than the Easy Amber.
Peanut Butter and Jelly—So unique and so popular, this is a
medium-bodied, nutty, earthy beer. Mix
this with the smoothness of peanut butter and the sweetness of jelly, and the
PB&J is a hit.
4th Anniversary Hop on Top—“Hop heads” will unite
behind this fourth generation IPA. This is Rob’s personal favorite; he loves
the citrus and grapefruit with the hop finish.
At 102.7 IBU, this beer packs quite a punch.
