“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” So began J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. And it is this image that is conjured up every time one drives past Atypical, a microbrewery right in the heart of the Magic City. Located on 510 E Central Avenue, just outside of downtown Minot, one might find it hard to believe that just seven years ago this space that aesthetically hearkens back to an older world was being utilized as nothing more than a storage facility complete with dirt floors and, before that, a gas station dating back to 1927!
Atypical Brewery & Barrelworks began as a joint venture between co-owners Nick Holwegner, brewer Eric Johnson, and two additional, silent partners in August 2018. They grew their business, their space, survived the Covid pandemic, and have become a well-loved local destination known for their craft beers, barrel aged sours, and cider. Their products can be enjoyed at the brewery itself as well as in restaurants across not just the Magic City but the state.
The key to success for Atypical has been their ability to provide not just delicious beverages, but innovative, communal experiences. These include the presence of food trucks, trivia nights, a dog friendly atmosphere, and various live events all of which are well advertised through their social media pages. To get an idea of what is coming at Atypical, one just has to head over to Facebook and check out their monthly calendar. Recently they were one of the beneficiaries of the Destination Development Grant, intended to expand tourism experiences in North Dakota, which has enabled them to continue to develop their already inviting space.
While this grant will go toward various improvements, including a much anticipated indoor event venue, the most immediately noticeable has been the appearance of the igloo-like structure known as the Atypical Geodome. Inspired by similar domes throughout the state, Atypical’s dome was designed and built by Nick Holwegner and Brady Dixon of B.A.D. Creations, a custom woodworking and cabinetry business. The dome seats up to ten and boasts enough internal heat to keep a group comfortable, with temperatures getting to just over 50 degrees. The Northern Sentry tested this out recently, and it remained pleasant inside of the dome for a group of nine, even as the outside temperature plummeted to below zero. With cafe lights providing gentle illumination from above, a wooden table in the center, and a personal speaker on which patrons can play their own music, it is a more intimate variation on the noisier pub experience. Additionally, if you are lucky enough to rent it while it is snowing outside, the effect, according to Nick, is very much like that of a reverse snow globe.
How to enjoy the Atypical Geodome Experience? Reservations can be made online and currently cost $75 for a two hour time slot or $50 for one and a half hours. The link can be found through their Facebook and Instagram or the many QR codes that are posted around the brewery itself. And while drink service is not included, it is just a hop, skip and a jump to get back to the bar itself. When asked about the reception the geodome has had, Nick shared that it has remained fully booked since its launch, and will continue to be available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings for the duration of the winter season and into the Spring. If the enthusiasm continues, its hours may expand and an additional structure might also be in the works.
The best way to stay up to date on all the happenings at Atypical and on the dome’s availability is to follow the brewery on social media or through the Visit Minot web site.
