The local brewing company is restoring a historical building just west of downtown Fargo. The new location will triple the space of Drekker Brewing Company and is fully equipped with a large patio, taproom with open views of the brewery and multiple spaces for community events.

“Having two breweries gives us some unique opportunities that we’ll be exploring as the project progresses,” Drekker president Mark Bjornstad said.

Most locals know the building as the Smith Building because of a faint logo passersby can see from First Avenue. “We’ve had our eyes on this building since the very early stages of planning our company,” Bjornstad said.

The building was originally constructed in the 1880s.

Drekker Brewing is now producing as much beer as space allows in their current facility — doubling its production from their opening three years ago. This additional facility will allow them to double their production again.

“We’re designing this new brewery to not only make more beer, but do it with respect to quality, efficiency and environmental impact,” Darin Montplaisir, Drekker’s head brewer, said. “It’s also exciting to design a new brewhouse that will allow us to expand on the unique and experimental styles we’ve been brewing over the last couple years.”

The brewery will preserve and show off the original exposed brick and wooden trusses while adding in new skylights and windows, which will enclose the new state of the art brewing equipment.

“We’re so excited to breathe life back into this historic building and to be a part of the movement that’s expanding the energy of downtown Fargo westward,” Bjornstad said. “This is only possible because of the amazing support we’ve received from this community.”

Drekker Brewing distributes to the Fargo-Moorhead and Grand Forks areas, as well as partial distribution to other North Dakota and Minnesota towns.