Bigger and Better Things a-Brewin’: Fargo Brewing Company Expansion

Beer Snob | April 22nd, 2021

By Kris Gruber

Spring is here (mostly), and our area is buzzing with people eager to get back out and about -- many newly vaccinated and feeling a bit safer.

Partnering with Jade Events, Fargo Brewing is just getting started, with exciting musical acts and events planned throughout the year.

Enjoy brand new spring brews (check out "Bramble On" -- a blackberry raspberry sour, or "Stimulus Czech" -- a Czech Pilsner) in the outdoor patio space or explore the new music venue and event center "The Hall," along with Nice Barber Company and Nova Eatery.

HPR spoke to Fargo Brewing Company co-founder and managing partner Aaron Hill about the April 20 grand opening, the unexpected benefit to expanding during a pandemic, and looking to the future.

High Plains Reader: Going back to the beginning briefly, can you talk about how you became a founder of FBC?

Aaron Hill: Co-Founder, Jared Hardy, moved back from Portland with a business plan to start a brewery in Fargo. He likes to say he asked me to join, but I’m pretty sure I invited myself along. We ended up meeting two brothers who knew how to brew beer. Jared had a background in business and finance, I had a background in sales and fundraising. When the four of us joined in the winter of 2009, we decided we had a good team in place to get it started and named it Fargo Brewing Company. We officially became a company the summer of 2010.

HPR:Tell us about the grand opening, and the events taking place.

AH: We are hosting a grand opening event on Tuesday, April 20th with the launch of our Double IPA 1.21 Gigahops. We typically do a party on April 20 to launch that beer, so figured this would be a nice tie-in to open our new space on that day. We will have live music! Doors open at 4pm -- no charge.

HPR: Did you discover any unforeseen benefits from the challenges the pandemic has raised in regards to the expansion?

AH: It ended up working out well that the entire construction occurred during the pandemic. So, having our parking lot ripped up and unusable for a couple months in the summer would have been much more stressful during “normal” times. Same for the interior construction. Disrupting our entire business operations seemed less stressful when our business was already severely disrupted because of the pandemic.

HPR: What are you most looking forward to in regards to this new chapter for FBC?

AH: We are looking forward to connecting more in our community and neighborhood. The previous model focused on wholesalers and retailers, which lead us into many other communities. While we plan to still maintain that model, our focus is shifting into doing more business in Fargo and with Fargoans. Basically, we are excited to deepen our ties in our own backyard.

HPR: Is there anything you want the public to keep in mind when they come to Fargo Brewing, and check out the new facilities and businesses?

AH: We look forward to seeing everyone again! We hope to make Fargo proud!

IF YOU GO

Grand Opening, Fargo Brewing Taproom

610 University Drive N, Fargo

Tuesday, April 20, doors open at 4pm

Masks required