Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Grand Opening: Front Street Taproom

Beer Snob | October 26th, 2016

By Chris Larson cjlarson75@gmail.com

With a nod to Fargo’s history and a commitment to supporting local and regional brewers, Front Street Taproom opened its doors to the public this past Wednesday and thus delivered on a very simple concept that I have personally been desiring for quite some time: a taproom that features only beers made in Minnesota or North Dakota.

With seating for 126 and 30 taps available, manager/owner Aaron Templin and his crew are ready to serve up flights, half pints, and pints of beer served with pride, that were brewed within the two-state region of North Dakota and Minnesota. When asked about this concept, his answer was as simple as the concept itself.

“We are just huge fans of the local beer scene and love what the local brewers are creating. We had the space for 30 taps and with so many excellent breweries in the area, sticking exclusively to Minnesota- and North Dakota-brewed beer made sense.”

Not only does it make sense, it is a concept that has recently become quite easy to fulfill. Aaron should have no problems keeping the tap lineup interesting and diverse, with an abundance of options from the two state region, that includes the likes of Fargo Brewing, Drekker, Rhombus Guys, Junkyard, Laughing Sun, Kilstone, Surly, Indeed, Summit, Bent Paddle, Fulton, Schell’s, and more!

Their love for unique beers and connections to the regional beer scene will most certainly mean you will often find rare or specialty beers on tap. In addition to some of the Surly limited releases, a rare Wooden Soul from Indeed was on tap for their soft opening and they are certain to be a hotspot for tap takeover events featuring rare beers in the future.

Architecturally and atmospherically, the space is a comforting blend of form and function. The bar features a foot rail made of reclaimed train tracks and the room features consist mostly of exposed brick and beams. There were a few details that immediately stuck out to me as charming nods to the old history of the building. In addition to a bricked in door that was uncovered during the remodel and now presented as is, I did take note of the retained structural I Beams that former shoppers of One World might recognize as support for what used to be the second level of the old boutique shop.

Those with an eye for detail may notice one of the beams had to be moved to give clearance for the staircase that leads to Front Street’s mezzanine level, an elevated area that is available for private events by reservation.

Aside from that, there is very little else to connect it to the most recent tenant, and the massive efforts over the last year had Aaron smiling with pride as they poured their first pints for the public. “Months and months and tons of work by a lot of people have gone into this project, and seeing people come together to enjoy some of the best product that the area has to offer, in this type of atmosphere that we had a hand in creating, is very gratifying.”

Local and regional beer is not the only thing that Front Street will focus on. With local promoter Chad Frankl on staff, they will present local and regional musicians Thursdays through Saturdays. The schedule is already filling up and includes Max Johnk, Cropdusters, Matty J, Haley Rydell, and Gina Powers. Grand opening celebrations this weekend include Max Johnk Duo on Thursday, Matty J on Friday, and Gina Powers and friends on Saturday.

Weekly happy hour specials will include $1 off taps from 4 to 6pm on Monday through Thursday and Noon to 5pm on Fridays. Their Munchie Menu features locally produced snacks that are always available and although they will always allow you to order in food to be delivered, periodically for special events Front Street will invite in local food truck vendors. Jay’s Texas BBQ was on hand for the soft opening as well as their Grand Opening on Wednesday and will be back on site this Saturday. If you do make it out for their grand opening this weekend, keep an eye out for limited releases from Surly including Darkness, Damien and Furious Black and if you’re extra lucky they may have some Wooden Soul to satisfy those with a thirst for a great barrel-aged sour.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Front Street Taproom

614 Main Ave, Fargo

Grand Opening, October 26 & 27, 4pm

www.frontstreettaproom.com

Recently in:

By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.com The business of Indian Hating is a lucrative one. It’s historically been designed to dehumanize Native people so that it’s easier to take their land. ‘Kill the Indian, save the man,”…

By Johnathan Campbell history@nd.gov Since Halloween is just around the corner, I thought I’d share three mysterious — and mildly creepy folktales — that have been shared about the Former Governors' Mansion State Historic Site,…

Thursday, November 7, 8 p.m.The Aquarium above Dempsey’s, FargoThe Minneapolis indie rock duo Bad Bad Hats hits the Fargo stage promoting their brand new, self-produced album titled “Bad Bad Hats.” Their name came from a song…

By Jim Fugliejimfuglie920@gmail.com As a political columnist, I know I should be writing an election preview for the issue of this paper that comes out just a couple weeks before what is being labeled, once again, as “the most…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWill We Ever Recover from the Trump Virus of Universal Hate?Just a month ago, the primary doctor of 336 million U.S Americans,U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, issued an advisory on the mental…

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 In this land of hotdish and ham, the knoephla soup of German-Russian heritage seems to reign supreme. In my opinion though, the French have the superior soup. With a cheesy top layer, toasted baguette…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Local band Zero Place has been making quite a name for itself locally and regionally in the last few years. Despite getting its start during a time it seemed the whole world was coming to…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Writer-director Nicole Riegel’s sophomore feature “Dandelion” is now playing in theaters following a world premiere at South by Southwest in March. The movie stars KiKi Layne as the…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Ted Martin, retired educator and western North Dakota native, currently has his art on view at Mind Virus Counter-Culture Books and Media. The exhibition features Martin’s colorful ink drawings…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…

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…

By John Showalter  john.d.showalter@gmail.comThey sell fentanyl test strips and kits to harm-reduction organizations and…

Rynn WillgohsJanuary 25, 1972-October 8, 2024 Rynn Azerial Willgohs, age 52, of Vantaa, Finland, died by suicide on October 8, 2024. Rynn became her true-self March 31, 2020. She immediately became a vocal and involved activist…

By Dina Butcherdina.wtba@midconetwork.com In 1938, when my parents were living in Germany, my father — along with 30,000 other Jewish men — was rounded up by Nazi Stormtroopers during an event known as Kristallnacht. He was taken…