Fernson Brewing Company's downtown taproom occupies a handsomely converted commercial building one block from the SculptureWalk. The beer list runs to a dozen or more taps, including the flagship Red Lager, seasonal IPAs, and rotating speciality ales. The food menu is solid — flatbreads, shareable plates, and bar snacks that go well beyond the usual pub fare.
Fernson is the brewery that put Sioux Falls on the craft beer map, winning regional and national awards since opening in 2014. The downtown location is the more atmospheric of the two taprooms; the Farmhouse location on the east side of the city has a larger outdoor space. Either way, this is the obvious first beer stop in town.