DISTILLERIES BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS REGION The Black Hills and Badlands distillery scene is becoming every bit as celebrated as the region’s thriving craft brewery and winery explosion. Two distilleries in the region are ready to quench your thirst. For an up-close-and-personal experience, make sure to take a distillery tour. Located on I-90 at Exit 150 in Kadoka, Badlands Distillery is a local, family-owned and operated business that provides handcrafted distilled spirits. Their Special Reserve uses the original recipe that has been handed down through generations since the 1920s and is made from corn grown on their family farm — right in the Badlands — to make their traditional bourbon mash that’s barrel-aged into fine whiskey. Visit their tasting room for a spirit tasting session, or to purchase spirits to take with you and share with your friends. Black Hills Contraband Distillery is South Dakota’s first licensed, full distillery. The distillery offers 14 flavors at their establishment in downtown Rapid City. For the past 40 years, they’ve perfected a secret, family recipe that’s been passed down for generations. It’s said that the notorious Al Capone drank the original family recipe while hosting a friend’s wedding at a Chicago hotel and made the family’s flavored liqueur the most popular drink of the night. Visit the distillery for free tastings. Check their events calendar, as this establishment regularly hosts karaoke nights, comedy shows, theme nights and more. Plan a trip with the Black Hills Tasting Trail Map, available at blackhillsbadlands.com/maps/tasting-trail. Hand Crafted Brews Wine, Beer & Spirits Continued from Page 39 Sick-N-Twisted Brewing Company serves 22 in-house brews using local ingredients in Hill City’s Naked Winery. Take a break and relax on the patio. Keep an eye out for events, as this venue regularly hosts concerts, theatrical performances, comedians and more. NORTHERN HILLS Stop at The Knuckle Saloon & Brewing Company in downtown Sturgis during your visit to sample their craft beer. The Saloon doubles as a museum filled with antiques and memorabilia and you’ll find all types of entertainment here from bull riding to live concerts. SOUTHERN HILLS Downtown Custer is home to Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company. Their full-flavored beers, brewed by one of only three women master brewers in the state, are built on balance and drinkability, and pair well with their brewery-inspired food menu. Their taproom features a direct-draw tap system with 24 rotating taps. Just above the taproom is their full-service restaurant, Pounding Fathers. RAPID CITY As the largest city in the region, Rapid City is home to a variety of local breweries. Stop on your way to Mount Rushmore, at Zymurcracy, a veteran-owned brewery just off Hwy 16 with a rotating menu. Meanwhile, downtown Rapid is always “hopping” with even more breweries for you to enjoy. Distilleries 40 // #DiscoverBlackHills
South Dakota Vacation Guide South Dakota Vacation Guide South Dakota Vacation Guide 2020: Page 40
