For some, Rapid City is a captivating pitstop on the way to Mt. Rushmore. For others, it’s the prime destination for a beer and wine getaway in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where the taste of sweet malt and bitter hops flourish in Rapid City’s unassuming yet bold brewery scene.
So, if beer, wine, and the occasional food truck are your idea of a good time, look no further than Rapid City.
Cohort Craft Brewery
Cohort Craft Brewery, located in the Town Centre South Plaza on Rapid City’s southside, started as a thought scribbled onto a bar napkin. Now, it’s a Rapid City staple on a mission to provide “the most inviting customer experience possible.” While their tap beers routinely update, you can sip and savor beers such as Fascination Street, a spin on the ordinarily caramelly and bready amber lager, or the Lavish Habits, a kettle sour with notes of dry cherry. Feeling hungry? The brewery hosts food trucks weekly. Pair one of their craft beers with pizza, tacos or pad Thai.
Firehouse Brewing Company
Housed in a historic firehouse from 1915, Firehouse Brewing Company has the honor of being South Dakota’s first brew pub. Decorated with fire fighting equipment, this brewery is also a wine cellar with a restaurant, bar and outdoor patio. The perfect joint for a bite and a sip – order the deep-fried wings tossed in cayenne pepper sauce and wash it down with a swig of the aggressively hopped and malty-sweet Chukkar Pale Ale.
Firehouse Wine Cellars
Adjacent to the Firehouse Brewing Company in downtown Rapid City, this wine cellar houses a tasting room made from exposed brick that’s over 100 years old and a working winery. Sip on the medium-bodied Battalion Blend, consisting of Malbec, two Cabernets, and Merlot with deep fruit notes and tongue-smacking tannins. Cleanse your palate with a crisp and refreshing Rushmore Riesling. Or, sign up for their Wine Club and enjoy complimentary tastings and two to four bottles per month!
Hay Camp Brewing Company
At the corner of Kansas City Street and 6th, you’ll find Rapid City’s first production brewery – Hay Camp Brewing Company. From the moment you step into the spacious taproom, you’ll feel right at home with the warm lighting, wooden booths, friendly atmosphere and expansive bar. Order a chocolatey Victory Stout brewed with cherrywood smoked malt, or try the Dino-Sour, a dry hopped American Sour with notes of mango and hints of orange and pineapple. The brewery also hosts food trucks weekly and events like trivia night.
Woodland Republic Brewing & Blending
Blended fruit sours are the name of the game for Woodland Republic Brewery and Blending, a rustic farmhouse-like brewery on 5th Street in downtown Rapid City. This brewery combines contemporary and traditional beer brewing in the name of wild and mixed fermentation. Try the Blueberry French Toast, a fruited sour breakfast mockup with a sweet and punchy tartness from the Sour du Jour series. Don’t miss the weekly events, from food trucks to trivia.
Lost Cabin Beer Co.
Lost Cabin Beer Co. is an outdoor-themed brewery across the Street from the 60-acre Founders Park. Gaslit lanterns, aging barrels and a wood plank bar add to the bar’s rugged theme, along with the vast selection of unique beer flavors. Try the Lord Grizzly Scotch Ale, loaded with rich malt and earthy notes of tobacco, plum, toffee, and molasses. Pair it with grub from one of the food trucks the brewery hosts nightly, and check out the event calendar for live music performances from bands such as The Pocket Junkies.
Dakota Point Brewing Company
Dakota Point Brewing Company lies at the foot of the Black Hills of South Dakota and steps away from Lost Cabin Beer Co. Another outdoor-themed brewery; you can sip and savor craft beers like Riley’s Irish Red Ale with sweet, caramel malt flavors and the Badlands Brown Ale – a mix of English yeast and American hops with notes of chocolate and caramel. Stop by for one of the weekly food truck nights and enjoy a relaxing evening by one of the bonfires with views of the gorgeous South Dakota landscape.
Last Mile Brewery
Last Mile Brewery established its small footprint just east of downtown Rapid City. Inside, you’ll find a select tap list of contemporary and traditional beer styles like the citrus-forward house Hazy IPA and the slightly sweet and highly refreshing Honey Kolsch. Make the most of the brewery’s limited hours by grabbing a few beers and heading to the arcade next door.
Bonus Brewery: Zymurcracy Beer Company
Zymurcracy Beer Company is just minutes from downtown Rapid City, boasting an expansive view of the Black Hills. The veteran-owned and fermentation-fixated brewery uses a science-focused brewing approach to craft its unique flavor of beers. Indulge in the full-bodied NEIPA #2, a hazy IPA with tropical notes like pineapple and mango. Or, try the Hefeweizen, which comprises banana and clove flavors with a soft and grainy mouthfeel. Don’t miss out on the weekly events at the brewery, from trivia nights to food trucks serving delicious grub like tortas and cookies.
