The Top 10 Black Hills Breweries in South Dakota

Many of the brewmasters say that the water in the Black Hills is what gives their beer a unique flavor. The Black Hills breweries have gone through a craft beer boom in the last decade and nothing beats sipping on a craft beer with those beautiful mountain views!

We’ve visited South Dakota yearly over the past 3 years, and in 2022, we spent over 2 months drinking our way around the Black Hills.

Looking for wine? Click here to read our guide to the Black Hills Wineries.

Psst: Vacationing in South Dakota? We have a bunch of guides. Browse them all here.

**Boozing Abroad contains affiliate links throughout the site. If you choose to purchase items through these links, we will earn a small commission at NO extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure policy here**

How many breweries are in the Black Hills?

If you exclude Rapid City, there are 10 breweries in the Black Hills region. Since Rapid City is technically at the base of the Black Hills, we are excluding it from this list.

Click here to read about the breweries in Rapid City.

Breweries in the Black Hills Map

Click the interactive map below!

Spearfish 

Crow Peak Brewing

As the first brewery in Spearfish, Crow Peak Brewing has been around since in 2007. Demand forced an expansion of the brewery and equipment just two years into brewing and then again in 2018.⁣

The brewery is named after Spearfish’s most iconic mountain, Crow Peak, that dominates the “skyline” and backdrops the city beautifully. 

One of the city’s most well-known and popular (and difficult) hikes, the Crow Peak Summit trail is a 7-mile hike through and up the Black Hills and ends with stunning views of the Spearfish Canyon and the surrounding area. 

After climbing the 1,600 feet to the summit at an elevation of over a mile high, you’ll have definitely earned one of Crow Peak’s finest brews such as the 11th Hour IPA (named for another nearby hike) or the Canyon Cream Ale, a refreshing blonde ale named for Spearfish’s eponymous canyon. ⁣

A beautiful, rustic brewery and taproom with some great outdoor space await you with more beautiful views of South Dakota’s Black Hills.

Not to worry though, you’ll only need to climb one flight of stairs to the second-story deck to drink in these views at this fun Black Hills Brewery.

Sawyer Brewing Co

Sawyer Brewing is one of our favorite places to grab a drink and pizza when we are visiting the Black Hills Breweries. 

They serve up a variety of beers from light and refreshing to sour bombs to hoppy IPA’s and heavy-hitting dark styles. One of our absolute favorites is the Cadillac Couch Mexican Lager. It’s so crisp and refreshing; an easy-drinker and pairs beautifully with their wood-fired pizzas. 

Each time we go to Spearfish, Sawyer is usually one of the first (and last) stops we make. Grab a pint or flight and relax on their patio after a long hike in the Spearfish Canyon. 

Spearfish Brewing

Spearfish Brewing is located on Main Street in downtown Spearfish. Their tasting rooms is set against the backdrop of large fermentation tanks.

Spearfish brews a variety of beers ranging from traditional to funky kettle sours and barrel-aged options. While they offer a few IPA’s for you hop heads out there, they are better known for their small batch sours. 

Most recently in 2021, they won bronze at the Great American Beer Festival for their Bird Bones Imperial Stout. 

They have a few small food options available, but have a door to their neighbor restaurant REDwater Kitchen if you need a full meal. 

Hill City 

While you might not think of Hill City, South Dakota, as a booze-centric region, that’s clearly what we found during our time in the Black Hills. With 4 wineries and 3 Black Hills breweries within less than 1.5 miles of each other, we had plenty to keep us busy!⁠

And as you might be notice, these 3 Black Hills breweries are actually combinations of wineries and breweries under the same roof or right next door to each other, making this a one-stop shop for all your booze needs.⁠

Miner Brewing

Located in the heart of the Black Hills, Miner Brewing Company produces craft beers that are both traditional in nature, and yet truly “South Dakota” by infusing regional ingredients into the recipes.

All of their beers are produced in small, 15-barrel fermenters, which helps them maintain microbrew quality.

Our favorite was the Raspberry Belgian Milkshake. This true dessert beer boasts sweet and creamy fruit notes, not unlike a raspberry creamsicle. Weighing in a 7.3% ABV, this milkshake is sure to leave you smiling.

Prairie Berry Winery is Miner’s sister-winery and is located directly next door; and since it’s on the same property, you can take your beer to the winery or vice versa.

Firehouse SmokeJumper Station (Firehouse Brewing Co.)

Firehouse Brewing Co.’s beer is made in nearby downtown Rapid City, but you can get all of their craft beer (and wine from the sister-winery) offerings here at this satellite tasting room in Hill City, as well as a full menu of food.  

Firehouse has been brewing craft beer for over 25 years, staking claim to South Dakota’s oldest still-operating brewery.  We had a flight of beers, but enjoyed the Firehouse Red the most, a well-balanced Irish red ale.

Sick-N-Twisted Brewery

⁠⁠Hill City’s first craft brewery, Sick-N-Twisted Brewing, opened in 2012 for thirsty residents and tourists alike.

They offer a huge tap list of locally-crafted brews, and like their sister-winery (told you there was a trend), Naughti Winery, they have some fun and naughty names, like the Hop on Top double IPA, the Panty Dropper porter, the Nut Hugger brown ale, or the Just the Tip pale ale.

Not sure if we were laughing because of the beer names or we were just getting tipsy. Maybe both.

Deadwood / Lead 

Sick-N-Twisted Brewery

We know what you are thinking, “Guys, didn’t you just tell me about Sick-N-Twisted”?

Yes, we did, BUT they have 2 locations in the Black Hills. 

The same tap list is typically available at each, but their Hill City location mentioned above is their main site. 

Their Deadwood Location is located on Main Street and also offers their Naughti Wines too. 

Jacobs Brewhouse

Jacobs Brewhouse doubles as a small grocery store, restaurant, and brewery, taking one-stop-shop to a new level. Jacobs Brewhouse prides themselves on their craft beer and locally-sourced food. 

Jacobs is a massive venue incorporating all 3 types of spots under 1 roof. With a broad menu and a creative craft cocktail list, this is a fabulous spot for foodies and all types of boozers. 

We shared a flight and enjoyed their Betty Wit and Citiva Smash Pale Ale. 

Check their Facebook to see if they have any live music planned too.

Dakota Shivers Brewing

Dakota Shivers Brewing is a cozy brewery located on historic Main Street in downtown Lead. With a western atmosphere, they offer 6 beers on tap and a local favorite is the Whistle Blowin’ Stout and Hot Calamity IPA.

Be sure to plan accordingly as they are only open Tuesday-Saturday or grab a crowler to-go to enjoy on Sunday and Monday. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the opportunity to visit Dakota Shivers to experience the beer for ourselves. Let us know if you go and what you think!

Custer 

Mount Rushmore Brewing Co

Mt. Rushmore Brewing attempts to pay homage to its namesakes through its local focus on its beer, kitchen, and cocktails.

In your pursuit of hoppiness, you can visit their taproom in downtown Custer. The beer favors more traditional styles, but you might find a seasonal sour or stout to enjoy too. 

They source all their grains regionally to support local farmers. They also have a restaurant called Pounding Fathers making this the best spot to sample a bison burger with your locally-sourced grain beers.

Personally, Sam really enjoyed the duck tacos and the Gold Lager. 

They have a large patio out back with some lawn games as well. 

Sturgis 

The Knuckle Brewing Co

The Knuckle Brewing Co is located on the main street in downtown Sturgis and is the largest entertainment venue in this town.

Claiming to have South Dakota’s longest bar, there will be plenty of room to enjoy a cold craft beer or cocktail. They also have a full menu with standard bar food too. We suggest the nachos, as they were great!

We visited during the non-Sturgis Rally timeframe and we just know the atmosphere would be quite different if we were there during Rally.

Overall Black Hills Breweries

The Black Hills breweries are a great way to experience local through your taste buds. 

Many of the breweries in the Black Hills also have a winery attached to them or they’re just a stone’s throw away.  So no matter your preference, you can find something to sip on.

Still Thirsty?

Check out our Black Hills Wineries Guide here. 

Also, Be sure to check out our ultimate Black Hills road trip guide to make sure you hit all the highlights!