Meetings

The Ale Riders Homebrew Club meets every second Saturday of the month (except July and August) at Zymurcracy Beer Company in Rapid City at 4:00.   Come hang out and talk about brewing   Everyone is encouraged to bring their homebrew to the meeting.

Geek sessions are brief talks about all kinds of things related to fermentation and homebrewing and are held during monthly club meetings.  Past sessions included learning how to use software to plan your brew, how to properly carbonate your beer, and how to make vinegar.

Starting in 2022, the Ale Riders have collaborated with local breweries to host a wort share.  For this annual event, local brewers select grains to brew a batch of wort which homebrewers use to brew a wide range of beer styles.  The event caps off with a public beer tasting hosted at the participating brewery!   Wort share winners have also brewed their winning recipes at Dakota Point, Zymurcracy, and Cohort Craft Brewery!

The largest temperature change in a 2-minute span occurred on January 22, 1943 in Spearfish, SD.  During this time the temperature rose from -4 F to 45 F due to Chinook winds.  The weeklong celebration of this record setting event culminates with Chinookfest, an outdoor beer festival!!  Members of the Ale Riders, along with the Black Hills Brew Club and other local SD breweries, serve up their brews in what can only be described as the best beer festival ever!

Each August for the past several years, the Rushmore German Club has reserved tables for us for an evening of good German food, fun and fellowship at the Central States Fair in Rapid City.  The Ale Riders have also collaborated with local brewers to design and brew recipes that are served at the event!

 Throughout the year we have brews sessions for Club events, National Home Brew Day and Teach a Friend to Brew Day. Sessions are held on a Saturday or Sunday at members’ homes throughout the year.  Participants are asked to bring a food item to share for a potluck. The events generally start at 12:00 and finish up about 4:00.  Club beers are served, so you can stop by anytime or stay the entire time. 

 Traditionally the first Sunday in June is typically our annual picnic. Some stay the evening(s) before in order to reserve the shelter for Sunday.  The Club buys the brats and burgers for the event and Club brews are served. Members are asked to bring a salad, dessert, or a side dish to share. 

In July or August – dependent on available reservation dates – the Club hosts a three-day campout.  There are a limited number of spots for campers but plenty of tent spots on a first come-first serve basis. The campsite cost per member is determined closer to the event dates. The Club provides a few of the weekend meals.  During the course of the weekend, there is often boating, swimming and campfires. So if you aren’t a camper, you can still stop out anytime as the beer’s on tap 24/7 for the duration of the campout.

 Our Christmas party is in January each year. It’s a relaxing evening, great meal and sampling of a variety of Club and craft brews, wine and mead. Members enjoy a buffet style meal and the Club provides hors d’oeuvres. There is also a Silent Auction as well as a People’s Choice Homebrew Competition.  We’d love to have samples to share if you are a homebrewer!! 

 On the day after Thanksgiving, Independent Ale House usually has special beer releases and all are invited to stop down for a bit of a social hour. 

The Golden Ale Riders are a spirited subgroup of the Ale Riders Homebrew Club, made up of retired members enjoying their golden years—whether they're in full Go-Go mode or taking it a bit slower. They regularly schedule brewery visits throughout the Black Hills, combining great beer with good food and even better conversation. Past adventures have included the Black Hills Peddler, stopping at breweries in the community, and a memorable road trip to Fort Collins packed with planned brewery stops and camaraderie.