Beer Snob

​UnPillage Happy Hour

August 26th, 2015

By Krissy Ness

In recent weeks Drekker Brewing Company has been kicking off their UnPillage Program with a special weekly happy hour. From 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday one dollar from every pint is given to a local charity to help the community, and so far the turnout has been great! About two weeks ago 4 Luv of Dog Rescue brought in volunteers for information about their rescue program. It brought out lovers of dogs and supporters of the cause. It was wonderful to witness strangers…

Read more...


​Now in Moorhead: Bent Paddle beers

July 22nd, 2015

By Krissy Ness

If you weren’t able to make it to the Rare Beer Picnic last weekend there is still a chance to try Bent Paddle Brewing’s beer. Beginning in late July, Bent Paddle will be distributing beer in Moorhead. 99 Bottles and JL Beers in Moorhead will be hosting a special meet and greet with the owners of Bent Paddle and supplying their beer with a tap takeover!

I had the opportunity to speak with Karen Tonnis and Colin Mullen, two of the four owners, over the phone, and here…

Read more...


Rare Beer Picnic

July 15th, 2015

By Krissy Ness

If you plan on attending the Fargo Street Fair, then don’t skimp on the last day. Enjoy the fair and then shimmy over to the other side of the river into Moorhead’s Davy Park, near Ushers, for the Rare Beer Picnic on Saturday, July 18. The beer will be flowing from 4 to 8 p.m. with special events and food for you to snack on.

Rare Beer Picnic is an event put on by Junkyard Brewing, Bottle Barn in Moorhead and Ushers that focuses on aged, sour and infused beer. Bigger…

Read more...


A look at Kilstone Brewery

July 15th, 2015

Photo by Megan Redfield By Krissy Ness

Two months ago Kilstone Brewery opened in Fargo. Located on Seventh Street in north Fargo, this brewery is tucked among the many warehouse buildings in an industrial area. The owners of Kilstone Brewery started their business among family and close friends.

As a resident of the Fargo-Moorhead area, I think it is a great thing to see in our community. Actually, my first thought about Kilstone was, “No, it is not a sheep farm!” (If you Google Kilstone as of right now you…

Read more...


American Craft Beer Week

May 20th, 2015

Photo by Mike KniecBy Krissy Ness

This past week was American Craft Beer Week, and the whole country was talking about it. From taprooms to Twitter, people were ranting and raving about exclusive new beers, some of which sold out within hours of their releases.

Barrel Aged 2014 Surly Darkness (ABV 10.3% IBU 85, Minnesota)

This highly sought after Russian Imperial Stout scored a 99 (out of 100) on BeerAdvocate and 100 on RateBeer. I was fortunate enough to try this beer on tap and in bottle condition. On tap,…

Read more...


​Pints & Pumps celebrated beer in style

May 13th, 2015

By Krissy Ness

Fargo’s first ever beer-fueled fashion show took place last Monday, May 4. Pints & Pumps was held at Drekker Brewing Company and put together by Michelle Durenksy, a sibling of Darin Montplaisir, co-founder and head brewer of the brewery. It featured unique clothing, spring fashion and lingerie from local boutiques in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

I spoke with Michelle about the inspiration and idea behind Pints & Pumps, and in one sentence she summed it up: “It makes zero…

Read more...


​99 Bottles expands its location

April 23rd, 2015

By Krissy Ness

April 30 is going to be a good day for the beer and wine community.

99 Bottles will unveil a new addition to its 100-year-old liquor store with two times more square footage for beer and almost double the amount of space for its wine selection.

In addition to more storage and coolers for its vast collection of liquor, wine and beer, 99 Bottles will also add a 20-person tasting bar, new selection of barware and monthly wine and beer classes.

On top of its wine tasting, which…

Read more...


​Meat Sweats at Fargo Brewing Co.

April 8th, 2015

Krissy Ness

By Krissy Ness

Fargo Brewing Company had yet another celebration for the people who sell and distribute their beer in late March.

“Meat Sweats,” properly named for the massive amounts of grilled and smoked meat, so much so that it induced sweating, was an opportunity to thank the restaurant and bar community and beyond for the great support of locally brewed beer and their great success.

I had a wonderful time people watching, enjoying a pint and catching up with new and old friends…

Read more...


​Barrel-aged beers

March 25th, 2015

Photo by Abigail Maki

By Krissy Ness

Whiskey and bourbon and oak, oh my!

This week we will dive headfirst into some pretty heavy barrel-aged beers. They will keep you warm on those chilly spring days.

Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Stout (2014)(ABV 9.5 percent)

This Wisconsin beer has a decent head that sits atop the deep-dark imperial stout, which is aged in oak bourbon barrels and smells as potent as it tastes.

Large notes of vanilla attack your tongue while the not-so-subtle aftertaste of bourbon warms your…

Read more...


​BEER-thoven Drekker Brewing Co. retrospect

March 4th, 2015

By Krissy Ness

The band wasted no time kicking off the final BEER-thoven fest event as the music bounced off the walls in an excited manner, while guests bellied up to the bar to get one of Drekker’s delicious beers. During the event I was able to speak with a number of people in the crowd and get their perspective on the event and the beer as well.

I spoke with a group of ladies who were laughing and having a good time while sharing a pint. They each had something great to say about…

Read more...


Tracker Pixel for Entry EmpireAUG2021 Tracker Pixel for Entry Cottonwood2 Tracker Pixel for Entry 7Clans Tracker Pixel for Entry Farrms Tracker Pixel for Entry blackbird Tracker Pixel for Entry NewSalem2

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakota communities will join a “nationwide day of defiance” against authoritarianism and President Donald Trump’s policies on Saturday, June 14. A range of "No Kings" events…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

Fighting the good fightBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Over two thousand rallies took place nationwide June 14 as part of the “No Kings" protest. Ten of those protests were held in North Dakota, with thousands in attendance.…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWe need Paul Revere on a Harley: “ants and autocrats are coming!”The Asian needle ant has been nesting in the American South since at least 1932. It probably hitched a ride on a freighter from…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com The weather warmed up quickly here in the upper Midwest this spring, sparking prime eating season. This means burger battles, food trucks and lake-season food travel. The 2025 Downtown Fargo Burger…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com The June 9 death of musician Sylvester Stewart, known much better by stage name Sly Stone, saw an outpouring of tributes, memorials and appreciations from some who knew him personally and many…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comAct Up Theatre, in partnership with Minnesota State University Moorhead, will present “The Sound of Music” on June 10-14. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota State Moorhead’s…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…