Beer & Food – Page 2 – F**k Yeah! It's Sioux Falls!

New Cooks’ in the Kitchen at Ferson

We’ve noticed that the kitchen’s been pretty dark the last few months at Ferson’s downtown location. But that’s about to change.

According to Facebook:

“We’re so excited to share our taproom with Murph’s Burgers & Fries. They’ll take over our kitchen for awhile, serving up incredibly tasty burgers, loaded up Murph Fries, a plant-based burger, and more!”

Our fingers are crossed. Sure, it will be great to have some hot food to nibble on while knocking back a few Seed Series experimental brews, but the hold-over recipes from the guys that ran Bro’s was a big reason to pick Fernson for the night.

Bottom line: If they can replicate some of that pork-belly, we’ll be ok! Either way, we’re gonna give the new Murph’s crew a shot sometime soon.

Octoberfest is back at Remedy!

These days, in Sioux Falls, we’ve got plenty of tasty reasons to try a few beers. Our craft beer scene is popping off, and there are more then a few festivals and tasting events to keep your palette satisfied.

That being said, our favorite hoppy time is always Octoberfest at Remedy Brewing Co. This year the weather’s looking good, so get on down for a few pints. Did we also mention that it’s the best deal you can find? Your ticket comes with an all-you-can-drinking tasting glass. While the cute little mini pub glass might look too cute to do the job, trust us — after a few dozen refills you’ll be in your happy, hoppy, good place.*

*best shared with friends!

Well, That Was Quick! “O” So Good Leaves Wiley’s

When we heard that “DDD-endorsed” Chef Omar was moving his “‘O’, So Good!” kitchen from Garretson to Wiley’s Bar here in town, we figured it was a sad side-step for the chef, but a win-win all around.

With Sioux Falls growing slowly-but-surely more foodie, having a local celeb whipping up some beer-ready comfort food at a popular watering-hole surely made sense.

But just a few weeks later, SiouxFalls.Business reports that it’s game-over for the partnership. What went wrong? We’ve spent enough time in the food & bervaerage biz to guess that there was some serious drama. But if you know the real story, drop us line.

‘Til then, we wish Chef Omar all the best on his next thing. And we’ll probably still get back to Wiley’s sooner than later. It seems inevitable, ya know?

Fernson Gets a Little Can Design Love

Admit it, we’ve all picked up a six-pack or a bottle of wine based on the label. When you’re running late to a party and you don’t want to show up empty-handed, sometimes your last-minute liquor-store decision comes down to one thing: “That looks cool!”

So design matters! The folks at Fernson have their aesthetic dialed in pretty good: Millennial minimalism with a shot of whimsy. And the world has started to take note. The design firm Ceros did a beer can label ranking and put this summer’s Vanilla Milkshake IPA on the list.

As they report: ““This was one of the few beers this year I bought simply because I wanted the can,” says Mike Schacherer, the creative director and a vice president of Little & Company. Fernson graphic designer Mitch Torbert drew the whimsical milk carton, at home in 1965 or 2021. Says Schacherer, “It’s clean. It’s simple. It describes the beer. And it makes you smile.”

And indeed it does! Our favorite cans will always be the classics: Budweiser, PDR, Miller High LIfe, etc. But if you’re going to break out of the tall-boy pack, it’s good to have some fun with it.

Fernson’s Vanilla Milkshake IPA does that just right, both on the outside of the can…and on the sudsy inside too.

Get out and grab a sixer before they’re gone!

Last Call at Books ‘N Brewz

Well this is a bummer. Book ‘N Brewz, the art-beer-pizza joint in that weird triangular building on 8th a few blocks east of Monk’s is closing up shop.

As they put it on their Facebook page: “The oven has gone cold, the stage has gone dark and the atmosphere is eerily silent. But we will always have the happy memories of the times spent serving and getting to know all of you. Thank you for everything!”

Someday, this will be one of the best locations in town. We’ve had great times there over the years – late nights at Latitude 44, afternoon beers at Fernson, breakfasts at Breadico, etc. As development continues to roll eastward, and the train tracks get pulled up, there’s no doubt that the historic location – it’s been some kind of bar for generations – will find its niche.

Thanks to Books ‘N Brewz for keeping the lights on a little longer. We wish ’em all the best in their next endeavors.