FLIGHTS: WoodGrain Brewing Co. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

(Photo by John Holl)

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota—Situated on a busy corner on the city’s main commercial street, WoodGrain (101 S. Phillips Ave. #100) opened in September 2015 and quickly established a reputation for clean ales, often accented with wood. That’s thanks to the owners coming from a career in cabinet making. Staves are the method of choice for infusing natural wood flavor into the beers, and all around the brewery were reclaimed barn wood tables, tap tops and accents carved with care and great attention. Four 5-ounce samples are $7. –John Holl

Smash Pale Ale (Kohatu)
5% | Single Malt & Single Hop Ale

Made exclusively with Golden Promise malt and Kohatu hops, this burnished yellow, minimal-ingredient ale is bursting with aromas of lime zest, mango, papaya and tangerine. With prickly carbonation and a quick bitterness on the finish, it’s a delight.

*Wheat
4.3% | American Wheat

Soft and easy with a rounded medium mouthfeel, this is refreshing with aromas of a country field and flavors of fresh hay. Mix in a light candied lemony tartness and you have a solid session companion. Pair with the breaded cheese balls on the menu.

Oaked Irish Brown
4.6% | Oaked Brown Ale 

Cola-colored with a slightly woody aroma, this has dominant flavors of toffee and roast caramel. The flavor only stays for a minute and then disappears into a dry finish. There, chocolate powder and raisin skin mix with charred white oak.

Roxie’s Red
6.5% | Red IPA

Starting off with generic breakfast cereal fruity aromas, this copper-colored ale evolves into dank hops on the palate with guava and grapefruit vying for attention. Just a touch of booziness. The hop profile lingers through the finish with a lasting bitterness.

*Order the full pint