Buffalo Commons: "Biggest Little Brewery in North Dakota" - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

From zero to four -- in a year.  So what's brewing in the Bismarck-Mandan area?

First there was Laughing Sun.

And Edwinton.

Next came Bird Dog.

Now there's Buffalo Commons.

What they all have in common is beer.  Lots of it.

What makes Buffalo Commons unique is both the "who" and "how much" behind it.

The "who" is Ted Hoffman, Bismarck native, who turned a job loss three years ago into a new business today.  "I used to work for a local manufacturing company that decided to close its doors here in Bismarck.  And when that happened, I toyed around with the idea of a restaurant, bar, something like that, and I just decided no, I'd rather just make beer," says Hoffman, Owner/Brewer of Buffalo Commons.

Just how much beer are we talking about?  While some breweries have a three-barrel system that produces less than 100 gallons every 20 days, the Mandan-based Buffalo Commons has a 15 barrel system producing 460 gallons every 14 days.  However, Hoffman says Buffalo Commons brew is nothing flashy -- just great beer:  "We don't have anything really wild -- yet -- but we'll get there.  We just make good, drinkable beer right now."  Hoffman says not only will they be the "biggest little brewery in North Dakota," Buffalo Commons will be the state's largest brewer on day one.  

The new brewery celebrates its grand opening -- to good reviews -- at Peacock Alley where four Buffalo Commons' beers are now available on tap.  You can also get their beers on tap at Reza's Pitch.  

The brewery says they'll be giving tours starting sometime this Summer.  You can learn more at their Facebook page -- Buffalo Commons Brewing Company.

Here's an update to one of last week's "Around Town" features:  Petco contacted KX to let us know their new Bismarck store is slated for grand opening the weekend of June 28th.

So pet-lovers, mark your calendars.