Spearfish Brewing Set for Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting

SPEARFISH, S.D. – Spearfish Brewing is excited to announce the opening of a brewery and taproom in the heart of downtown Spearfish at the intersection of Jackson and Main. This brand new space will offer patrons indoor and outdoor seating in a modern taproom space where they can enjoy locally crafted beers from more than a dozen classic American and international styles and a flavorful pub menu built for sharing with friends and family.

A highlight of the taproom will be a huge window that allows beer drinkers to see the brewer crafting their beverages on a beautiful new American made brewhouse. Brewmaster Nathan Venner explains, “American Beer Equipment from Lincoln, Nebraska has built us a stainless steel 10 barrel (341 gallon) two-vessel brewhouse with the capacity to brew up to 3,600 barrels a year.” The process begins with a state-of-the-art carbon and nano water filtration system that allows the brewmaster to create beers using a water profile specifically “built” to highlight the flavors in each style. Another unique feature to this new brewery is a pair of horizontal lagering tanks that will allow Spearfish Brewing to craft clean and clear amber and light lagers. According to Nathan the vision of Spearfish Brewing is to create an “honest American brewery that produces clean, consistent lagers as well as classic American craft styles like IPA and stout.”

Our brewmaster, Nathan Venner, is a Pierre native who draws on his 11 years as a commercial brewmaster and 13 years in the brewing industry in Laramie and Lander, Wyoming to give this new venture a solid foundation. In addition to the classic lager beers this brewery is built around, Nathan plans to recreate some of his favorite and most acclaimed beers from his years of brewing like a classic American wheat beer that has earned him numerous awards including two silver medals at the Great American Beer Festival, an award-winning rye beer, and a seasonal chili beer that Nathan brags, “won medals at the North American Beer Awards for seven consecutive years.”

The brewery will also have a pilot system to brew small amounts of creative and experimental beers that will be available only at the downtown Spearfish taproom. “We really want the pilot system to be part of the community,” says Nathan, “we want to invite local homebrewers and those who want to learn into the brewery space” and “use the pilot brewhouse as an educational tool.” Other community oriented events are also in the works, and Spearfish Brewing is excited to get involved in city events and festivals throughout the black hills. “Community is important to all of us at Spearfish Brewing,” says Nathan, “and we hope to promote community events in downtown Spearfish.”

Spearfish Brewing has received ongoing support from state and local economic development organizations and will be part of continued efforts to bring tourism and commerce to the local economy. “The craft beer industry has seen substantial growth in South Dakota, especially in recent years,” said Commissioner Scott Stern, Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). “Taprooms like the one Spearfish Brewing is opening is a lucrative business where tourists and locals alike can enjoy craft beer in a unique environment.” “Spearfish Brewing Company will be an excellent addition to our ever-growing business community,” said Kory Menken, Executive Director of the Spearfish Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). “SEDC is pleased we were able to help play a part in bringing this exciting project to fruition.”

Food will be available in the taproom, featuring a “gastro-pub” menu created by chef Kyle Smith from the adjacent RedWater Kitchen. The family friendly taproom will also have a selection of locally produced non-alcoholic beverages on tap. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. MST on Thursday, February 1st and regular business hours start on groundhog day, February 2nd. Spearfish Brewing beers will be available on tap at local bars and restaurants by summer.

Spearfish Brewing would like to thank the Spearfish Economic Development Corporation, the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, our partners at Black Hills Community Bank, Pioneer Bank and Trust, GPNA LLP, and the Spearfish community for their continuing support and enthusiasm for our business and the South Dakota craft brewing industry. We would also like to thank the local contractors and tradespeople who built our brewery: Hemeyer Enterprises, Dakota Electric, Johnson Plumbing, Culligan of the Northern Hills, Black Hills CO2, Rasmussen Mechanical, Forcoli and Sons Painting, Baete-Forseth HVAC, Triangle D cabinetry and millwork, Hurley-Anderson Drywall, and Stadler Industrial.