Tapping into Adventure: 8 Local Beer in Grand Forks

Am I excited about the opportunity to write about a few of my favorite places in our incredibly vibrant beer scene in the Grand Forks region? Absolutely, yes. Am I excited to talk about some of my favorite people doing brilliant, innovative things with that sweet, sweet grog? Also, yes. Am I excited about getting complaints via email about how someone took this list as a bar crawl instructional and ended up feeling terrible the next day? No, I’m not. So, here’s a quick disclaimer courtesy from our friends at the University of North Dakota: Know your limit, and know how to drink responsibly. That being said, let’s get into it, shall we?

There are 48 beers on tap at Brick and Barley! 48! Cracking into the beer menu makes you feel like you’ve begun reading War and Peace; but don’t be intimidated! Fortune favors the bold, so dig deep and try something new and exciting! Their helpful staff is more than happy to help you find something you’ll like. In addition to their great food and beer selection, they also host trivia every Wednesday evening and karaoke Thursday evenings, each beginning at 7pm.

As the name “Spud” suggests, this place does potatoes in a big, beautiful way. If you like your starches and beer golden-brown, this place is heaven on earth. The open secret at this bar involves sliding a door on a bookcase that hides the Prohibition Comedy and Event Room, where you can indulge in some late-night laughs over a locally made pint or two. If you aren’t a beer person and you’re still reading this, first thank you so much and second, The Spud has a wonderful Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas.

I know this article is about beer but humor me for a second. What goes better with an ice-cold beer than hand-tossed, straight-from-the-oven pizza? With over 40 beers (and wine on tap too!) to choose from, you’re going to find the perfect pairing with one of their unique and delicious pizza offerings. How unique? Try their “Drunken Rooster”, which is made with pheasant sausage, whiskey glazed apples, pistachios, and béchamel sauce. I’m allergic to pistachios and I get it anyway, if that tells you anything about how good it is and/or how dumb I am.

Named after the beautiful flowing ivy that hugs its exterior walls and the elephants that decorate its bar, Ely’s Ivy specializes in weekly rotating menus made from scratch with local ingredients. They work with local producers like Szymanski Farms (MN), South 40 Beef (ND), and The Pasture North Dakota to curate farm to table experiences as unique as they are. What’s that you say? This is a beer article? Of course, all of their taps are dedicated to local microbrews, so all of your libations are just as handcrafted as the food. They feature beers from all around the region, which makes them a perfect place to try a beer flight or two.

They serve beer at the River Cinema Movie Theatre, you guys. How neat is that? But if you’re not in the mood for catching a movie, you can still be transported into your favorite stories by visiting The Shire! Yes, that’s a Lord of The Rings reference, and it’s apparent as soon as you walk in where a statue of Gollum is perched over the entrance. Once inside, you’re greeted with serious nostalgia. Movie props and décor as far as the eye can see. They make you an offer you can’t refuse with great local beers on tap and a menu full of wonderful movie puns. You’ll leave saying, “I’ll be back!”

Wait…coffee AND beer? You read that correctly, friend! This unique taphouse was the brainchild of two established local entrepreneurs: Sandi Luck of Bully Brew Coffee, and Kathryn Gunderson of Half Brothers Brewing. Anyone who thinks that coffee and beer don’t pair well together hasn’t tried their Bully Brew Coffee Brown Ale. You’re gonna be reading the word local a lot in this article.

When the half-sibling owners started Half Brothers, they set out to craft not only unique and delicious beer, but a place that fosters the arts and community. After a very successful Kickstarter campaign, Half Brothers is now accomplishing what they set out to do. They have live music every weekend in their recently completed basement venue, and their walls are covered in art made by local artists. They serve pizza by the enormous slice, as well as many other interesting options for the foodie in your life. Need a beer recommendation? Try one of their many sour beers! Their delicious Morning Dreams fruited Berliner Weisse has converted even the most adamant sour beer haters.