The time is nigh, or more specifically, the time is NINE! Drekker Brewing Company is celebrating their 9th anniversary this weekend, Friday and Saturday, September 15-16th with Drekkerfest 9. The party starts with a bonkers, 16-beer release including 8 collaborations with breweries from around the country, and continues on into Saturday where the free carnival and concert take over the entire Drekker Brewing compound.
“The DrekkerFest collabs are one of the most fun and creative challenges we get to take on each year and this year we definitely pulled off some weird concoctions,” explains Tom Knowlton, Drekker Head Brewer, Co-owner and former Wing King of the Midwest. When pressed about the demotion in his wing aficionado title Knowlton was forced to admit he didn’t even attempt his annual birthday tradition of eating his age in wings. This year would’ve been 32 to maintain the title. A shame that will follow him for the remainder of his years.
All 16 beers will be released at 10am at the brewery on Friday along with this year’s commemorative glass set. And not to be outdone by the DrekkerFest 8 magic eight ball, the 9th anniversary glassware set includes a custom 3D Viewmaster filled with special artwork by the artist behind much of Drekker’s madness, Punchgut.
“People often ask how we come up with all this craziness and I just tell them it’s pretty strange inside our heads,” explains Molly McDermott, Drekker Merchandise Manager.
If you want a glimpse inside the mind(s) of Drekker you better get your hands on this set. But be warned, as Drekker says. They can’t be blamed for what you find in there.
Keeping with DrekkerFest tradition, the brewery is again giving away FREE BEER for a YEAR to NINE PEOPLE!!! The first 50 people in line on Friday and again on Saturday will have a chance to win this or any number of other prizes. Special bonus this year, since 2024 is a leap year that makes one more beer than last year.
The real party begins on Saturday, the 16th, at noon when doors open for an all-day, all ages carnival with bouncy houses, carnival games, flash tattoos by Amarok Tattoo Studio, a puppy kissing booth to benefit 4 Luv of Dog Rescue, art show & sale by Punchgut, face painting, art experiences from several local artists, tarot card reading, and live screen printing from Mistees. Food and fun treats will be available from local favorites including Blackbird Pizza, Unicorn Park Fine Foodery, Cows & Co. Creamery, Mångata Wine Bar, Windsor Waffles, The Barge, Driftwood Food Truck, and Treat Theater.
Capping the night off is a FREE concert headlined by Pasadena, California’s White Denim! The concert will begin around 7pm and will feature Fargo’s own death metal heavyweights, Maul, followed by Nashville’s Gyasi, and end with White Denim taking the stage with their unique brand of psychedelic indie experimental alternative rock.
Mark Bjornstad, Drekker Brewing President and Co-Founder, explains why this 9th year is so special to the company. “It’s been a wild ride and we’ve surely used up a few lives along the way, and sometimes we wonder if we’re on our ninth life. Drekker is still here and cranking out the weirdness because of the amazing support from this community and our fans across the country and DrekkerFest is where we get to say thanks and all party together.”
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH
10am-10pm
- FREE admission
- 16 Beer Release
- Glassware & 3D Viewmaster box set
- Flash Tattoos from Amarok Tattoo Studio
- A chance to win FREE beer for a year along with some crazy amazing prizes
- Food from The Barge & Driftwood Grill
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH
Noon-11pm (21+ after 7pm)
- FREE admission
- Flash Tattoos from Amarok Tattoo Studio – Drekker viking heads are FREE!
- Inks and Oddities show by Punchgut
- Every dollar spent on pinball will be donated to 4 Luv of Dog Rescue by Fargo Pinball
- Carnival games, bouncy houses, face painting
- Mistees live screen printing artwork from Punchgut, Nathaniel Navratil, and Olivia Bain-Suppa
- Monster Draw Club with Punchgut
- Food from Blackbird Pizza, Unicorn Park, Cows & Co. Creamery, Windsor Waffles, The Barge, Driftwood Food Truck, and Treat Theater
- Wine cocktails from Mångata
- Art experiences from Olivia Bain-Suppa and Not Hideuhs
- Doggy Kissing Booth with 4 Luv of Dog Rescue
- Tarot card reading by Hexe Hilde
- FREE Concert by White Denim with special guests Gyasi and Maul