Complete guide to all 7 Breweries in Rapid City, SD

Most travelers pass through Rapid City on their way to the Black Hills or Mount Rushmore, but if you skip this city, you’re missing out. There’s a surprisingly strong craft beer scene here — and some of the best breweries in Rapid City SD are worth planning a full day to explore.

Unlike other guides that lump in every taproom across the Black Hills, this one focuses exclusively on the Rapid City breweries themselves. Whether you’re craving a crisp lager, a hazy IPA, or something experimental, you’ll find it here.

We visit South Dakota every year and can honestly say that a few of our favorite beers in the Northern Plains come straight from these local brewers.

If you’re interested in the broader scene, check out our full Black Hills Breweries Guide. But if you’re staying in or near the city, this is your go-to list for the best breweries in Rapid City.

Short on time? Here are the key takeaways:

• Most breweries don’t serve food, but many partner with rotating food trucks throughout the week.
• Can’t Miss: Our top picks are Lost Cabin Beer Co., Woodland Republic, and Cohort Craft Brewery.
• Limited time in Rapid City? Head to Independent Ale House or Pour 54 Taphouse for a curated selection of local brews – perfect if you only have one night in town.

This post was originally published in February 2023, and was updated in November 2025.

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Map of Rapid City Breweries

Before you dive into tastings, use this interactive map of the breweries in Rapid City to plan your route. We’ve pinned every taproom in (or near) downtown plus parking, food-truck notes, and nearby taphouses for overflow. Save it to your Google Maps and you’re set for a self-guided crawl.

Click the interactive map below!

1. Lost Cabin Beer Co

• Hours: 
  • Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM
• Food Available: Snacks and/or rotating food truck
• Pet Friendly: Yes

A local go-to and for a dang good reason. They craft great beers. 

Lost Cabin Beer Company is definitely one of our favorite breweries in Rapid City and is the type of beer that we’d want to have if we were…lost in a cabin in the woods (in the good way, not in the scary-movie-might-die-or-get-taken way).

With a constantly rotating tap list, you’ll always find something new to love, but don’t skip their signature Lord Grizzly Scotch Ale, a malty, robust brew that locals swear by.

Between the friendly crowd, plenty of board games, and the ever-changing lineup of food trucks, Lost Cabin Beer Co. is one of the must-visit breweries in Rapid City SD – and easily one of our personal favorites.

2. Woodland Republic Brewing

• Hours: 
  • Tuesday – Friday: 3 PM – 9 PM
  • Saturday: Noon – 9 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM
  • Monday: Closed
• Food Available: Snacks and/or rotating food truck
• Pet Friendly: Yes

One of the newest breweries in Rapid City, Woodland Republic Brewing is a small-batch spot tucked into a downtown alley that feels like a hidden oasis in the Black Hills. Their 7-barrel system keeps the tap list changing constantly, and their love of hazies, sours, and stouts shows in every pour.

Some standouts: the Plum Circus Sour (a collab with Lost Cabin), Cloudy with a Chance of … hazy DIPA, Batter Mocha Pastry Stout, and the wild Cream Cheese Stuffed Blueberry French Toast Sour. Each beer was creative, balanced, and downright exciting – Sam’s Untappd reactions were basically four-letter love letters.

If you only have time for a couple of stops, put Woodland Republic near the top of your Rapid City brewery crawl.

3. Cohort Craft Brewery

• Hours: 
  • Monday – Thursday: 3 PM – 9 PM
  • Friday: 12 PM – 10 PM
  • Saturday: 12 PM – 10 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM – 7 PM
• Food Available: Snacks and/or rotating food truck
• Pet Friendly: Yes

About ten minutes from downtown, Cohort Craft Brewery is one of the most innovative Rapid City breweries pushing boundaries with its “Beer Minded People” philosophy. Don’t come expecting basic blondes or ambers – their lineup is packed with inventive flavors and even two rotating meads that completely redefine what mead can taste like.

Chris went straight for the hazy IPAs, Sam claimed the sours, and both agreed Cohort ranks among the top breweries in the region. Check their Facebook page for the weekly food-truck lineup and Tuesday-night trivia – it’s seriously one of the best trivia nights in town.

Pro tip: If you see Eddie’s Taco Truck on the schedule, go early. They sell out fast and for good reason – it’s arguably the best food truck in Rapid City.

4. Hay Camp Brewing Co.

• Hours: 
  • Monday – Wednesday: 11 AM – 9 PM
  • Thursday – Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
• Food Available: Snacks and/or rotating food truck
• Pet Friendly: Yes

Before Rapid City was Rapid City, it was known as Hay Camp – a settlement that provided feed for livestock during the Gold Rush. Today, Hay Camp Brewing keeps that pioneer spirit alive with craft beer and a serious commitment to supporting local makers.

Their massive mixed-use space, affectionately called “The Mothership,” is shared with other local artisans and small businesses, including Contraband Distillery, a wood shop, a plumber, and even a local band’s studio. It’s truly a hub for all things craft – not just beer.

Inside, you’ll find a cozy taproom built with reclaimed wood from nearby gold mines, a bison skull centerpiece above the bar, and black-and-white photos from the town’s early days. We ordered a flight and loved the Centennial Trail IPA (crisp and piney) and the Dino-Sour Pale Ale – both excellent representations of Hay Camp’s creativity.

They keep things hyper-local by only distributing beer within a few blocks of the brewery, making it one of the most authentic breweries in Rapid City to experience.

5. Zymurcracy Brewing Co 

• Hours: 
  • Monday – Thursday: 3 PM – 9 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12 PM – 10 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 7 PM
• Food Available: Snacks and/or rotating food trucks
• Pet Friendly: Yes

Located just a few miles from Cohort, Zymurcracy Brewing is a small veteran-owned brewery with an easygoing vibe and fantastic hilltop views overlooking Rapid City and the Black Hills.

Like many of the best Rapid City breweries, Zymurcracy prides itself on creativity, experimentation, and community. They regularly rotate over ten beers on tap, offering everything from crisp lagers to inventive seasonals.

If you’re unsure where to start, grab a flight – or stick with a tried-and-true classic like their Hefeweizen. Feeling adventurous? Try the rotating mead tap for something totally different.

The brewery often hosts bingo nights, trivia, and live music, and features daily food trucks. For the latest lineup, check their Facebook for the most up to date info on events.

With its welcoming atmosphere and mix of innovation and tradition, Zymurcracy is another standout stop on any Rapid City beer crawl.

6. Dakota Point Brewing 

• Hours: 
  • Tuesday – Thursday: 2 PM – 9 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12 PM – 10 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 7 PM
  • Monday: Closed
• Food Available: Snacks and/or rotating food truck
• Pet Friendly: Yes

Tucked inside a multi-business complex with shops and eateries, Dakota Point Brewing has that classic industrial brewery vibe – the kind where you can smell the malt the moment you walk in.

Their lineup covers a little bit of everything, from approachable Red and Blonde Ales to kettle sours, casks, and hop-forward IPAs. For something crisp and refreshing, don’t miss their flagship Pedro the Beaver, a Mexican lager that hits perfectly on a warm South Dakota afternoon.

With a spacious outdoor patio and a laid-back crowd, this is a go-to for patio beers in Rapid City. Food trucks rotate weekly (not daily), so check their Facebook page before visiting if you’re planning to eat.

7. Firehouse Brewing Co.

• Hours: 
  • Monday – Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM
• Food Available: Full restaurant
• Pet Friendly: No, service dogs only allowed on patio

As South Dakota’s oldest operating brewery, Firehouse Brewing has been pouring pints for more than 25 years and remains one of the most recognizable breweries in Rapid City.

Located inside a restored 1915 firehouse, this spot serves as both a brewery and full-service restaurant, making it a great family-friendly option downtown. Their beer lineup sticks to the classics – easy-drinking pub styles brewed well.

We tried a flight and especially liked the Firehouse Red, a smooth, malty Irish Red Ale that perfectly pairs with their hearty food menu.

If you don’t have time to stop by the original Rapid City location, Firehouse also has satellite restaurants and taprooms across the Black Hills.

BONUS STOPS: Rapid City Beer Bars & Taphouses

Not technically breweries, but if you’re short on time (or just want to sample everything in one place), these two spots are must-visits for any craft beer lover in Rapid City.

Pour 54 Taphouse

• Hours: 
  • Monday – Thursday: 3 PM – 9 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: Noon – 10 PM
  • Sunday: Noon – 7 PM
• Food Available: Restaurant onsite
• Pet Friendly: No

Pour 54 Taphouse is the only self-serve taphouse in the Rapid City area, offering (you guessed it) 54 taps of beer, wine, cider, and seltzer. It’s the ultimate bonus stop if you want to try brews from several local Rapid City breweries and a mix of regional favorites from Wyoming, North Dakota, and Nebraska.

We love Pour 54 for its variety and flexibility – pour an ounce or a pint, mix styles, or stick to one favorite. You’ll link your credit card to a wristband that lets you pour as much (or as little) as you want.

Their food menu is equally impressive, especially the Detroit-style pizzas and shareable appetizers. During our last visit, everything we tried was delicious – happy hour here is a win.

A couple things to know before you go:

• You must be over 21 to enter – no kiddos allowed
• You will have your credit card linked to a wristband that allows you to pour as much (or as little) as you’d like. 
• There are taps on the 3rd floor only accessible via stairs. No elevator is available. 

Independent Ale House

• Hours: 
  • Monday – Thursday: 3 PM – 9 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: Noon – 10 PM
  • Sunday: Noon – 7 PM
• Food Available: Restaurant onsite
• Pet Friendly: No

Independent Ale House is a restaurant with a seriously impressive beer list – 50 taps to be exact. It’s another great option if you want to taste your way through multiple South Dakota breweries in one stop.

Their motto is “No crap on tap,” and they mean it. The tap list rotates constantly, so if you find something you love, order a pint fast – once the keg kicks, it’s gone for good.

We split the Althea Pizza, a flatbread-style creation that paired perfectly with our beers. It’s cozy, casual, and an excellent choice for dinner after a day exploring breweries in Rapid City, SD.

FAQs About Breweries in Rapid City SD

How many breweries are in Rapid City SD?
As of 2025, there are seven craft breweries in Rapid City, plus a few bonus beer bars like Pour 54 Taphouse and Independent Ale House that feature local and regional brews on tap.

What is the best brewery in Rapid City?
It depends on your taste! Locals rave about Lost Cabin Beer Co. for balanced classics, Woodland Republic for creative sours, and Cohort Craft Brewery for experimental flavors and mead.

Do any Rapid City breweries serve food?
Most don’t have kitchens, but they host rotating food trucks throughout the week. If you want a full menu, check out Firehouse Brewing Co., Independent Ale House, or Pour 54 Taphouse.

Are breweries in Rapid City family-friendly or pet-friendly?
Many breweries welcome kids and dogs, especially those with patios like Lost Cabin, Dakota Point, and Zymurcracy. Always double-check before you go, as policies can change seasonally.

When is the best time to visit Rapid City for brewery hopping?
Late spring through early fall offers the best weather for patio beers and food-truck events. Summer weekends can be busy, so visit mid-week for shorter lines and more parking downtown.

From the hazy hops at Woodland Republic to the malty classics at Firehouse Brewing, the breweries in Rapid City prove this small city has some serious craft-beer cred. Each stop has its own story, flavor, and vibe — and together, they make Rapid City one of the most underrated beer destinations in the Midwest.

Whether you spend an afternoon hopping between taprooms, hit Pour 54 Taphouse for a sampler of everything, or simply grab a growler to enjoy under the Black Hills sunset, you really can’t go wrong here.

If you’re planning a longer trip, pair your Rapid City brewery crawl with nearby adventures: explore the trails of Spearfish Canyon, visit Mount Rushmore, or head deeper into the Black Hills for even more great beer, wine, and scenery.

Thirsty still? Keep the adventure going:

Be sure to see our guide for the Black Hills Breweries to stay hydrated. 

Looking for a different booze selection? Check out our Wine Guide to the Black Hills here.

Click here to see all our South Dakota adventures!