1/15/2011:
The Dakota Malting and Brewing Company announced on this date in 1961 that they would build a brewery in Bismarck. The ill-fated company planned on producing 65,000 barrels a day and employing forty people. Frank Bauer, who had thirty-three years in the brewing business, was chosen as Brew Master. From the onset, the company had difficulty with poor water quality, but the installation of additional filters resulted in a better brew. However the negative response to the first poor batches, along with increasing financial stress was too much to overcome and the company closed its doors. In a state that grows much of the nation's malting barley and which also has one of the highest consumption of alcohol per person, Dakota Beer seemed like a sure thing, but the taps were closed after only five years.
Dakota Datebook written by Jim Davis
Source:
Bismarck Tribune January 16, 1961