FEBRUARY FEATURED BREWER
MINER BREWING COMPANY
“You would be hard pressed to find any other brewery-winery combo with a fifth generation winemaker that’s also the brewmaster,” said Casey Nordine, taproom hospitality manager at Miner Brewing Company.
Over 20 years ago, Sandi Vojta was sitting at her kitchen table, drinking a brew she’d made, and discussing with her husband how to create a “unique South Dakota experience.”
She started Prairie Berry Winery in Hill City and followed with Miner Brewing Company in 2013. In the Western Mall in Sioux Falls, there is a second location with both the brewery and the winery in Sioux Falls.
Vojta utilizes family traditions to create drinks that are “classically crafted and South Dakota inspired.”
“Coming from Europe to South Dakota, [Vojta’s family brought] with them so many old world traditions and [added] a South Dakota flair to them,” said Nordine.
Along with the Czechoslovakian winemaking and brewing traditions, Nordine says Miner nods to the Hill City area as it’s built on what was once a tin mine.
“There’s this cool montage of being part of the Black Hills, harkening back to the mining history,” he continued.
Just miles outside of Hill City, there are national parks and various trails nearby.
“Our utmost company value is making the world a better place one person and one day at a time,” said Nordine.
Miner focuses on giving back to the community by doing highway cleanups and hosting Beer and Bingo events, partnering with local nonprofits. The brewery also works hard to minimize its environmental footprint.
Due to the pandemic, all Miner’s events, from big concerts to Beer and Bingo, have been put on hold.
While the brewery is at half capacity, a heated tent has been added outside as well as a handful of small, heated igloos to allow for more space for patrons to socially distance.
He says the brewery is so thankful for every guest who has kept its doors open during this time of uncertainty.
“We get so much support from the people around here,” said Nordine. “We want to do everything we could to keep our staff safe, our guests safe, and still offer a great experience.”
STAR NATION PEACE TREATY
Lambic | ABV: 6% | IBU: 8
Three berry varieties and milk-sugar, in conjunction with having gone through open-barrel fermentation and aging in oak cabernet barrels, make this non-traditional lambic truly unique. It is fruity and creamy with a hint of smokiness and a smooth finish.
605 Brewers
Take a look at what other tasty brews are being served up around the state.
A HOMESTEAD BREW
Barrel Aged Apple Pie Wild Sour Ale
Wild Ale | ABV: 5% | IBU: 12
BEN’S BREWING CO.
Barleywine
Barley Wine | ABV: 10.6% | IBU: 51
BUFFALO RIDGE BREWING
Cherry Covered Chocolate Sour
Kettle Sour | ABV: 6.6% | IBU: –
FERNSON
Gallivant (Batch 7)
Hazy IPA | ABV: 7.3% | IBU: –
LOST CABIN BEER CO.
Buzzard’s Roost
Black IPA | ABV: 8% | IBU: 62
WOODEN LEGS BREWING
Pubkeep Series: Woodburner
Campfire Stout | ABV: 7% | IBU: 25
REMEDY BREWING CO.
Raspberry Kickball
Fruited Kettle Sour | ABV: 4.1% | IBU: 7
SAWYER BREWING CO.
Raspberry Cheesecake
Sour Ale with Raspberries & Vanilla | ABV: 5.6% | IBU: 23
SEVERANCE BREWING CO.
Dessert Envy: Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pastry Kettle Sour | ABV: 5.8% | IBU: 5
