Union Pizza and Brewery: Town Hall Meets Restaurant

By Michele Anderson, Rural Program Director for Springboard For The Arts

Several years ago, a few Fergus Falls area beer enthusiasts started dreaming about something new for Fergus Falls – a brick-oven pizza parlor and brewery. They developed their ideas and recipes, renovated a downtown space, and soon, Union Pizza and Brewing joined a growing list of Fergus Falls locations that provide food with a quirky, artisian ambience.

Now almost two years old, the business is more than a restaurant and brewery. Owned by Fergus Falls’ newly elected Mayor Ben Schierer and his wife Tessa, the two-year-old Union is a lively community space where regulars and first timers feel equally as welcome. Schierer and his staff are always attentive to their guests and open to their participation and input in the discussion of business and community happenings. The warm, cozy, salvaged wood interior, hand-made fabric bunting, and collection of civil war memorabilia, make Union Pizza feel like a cabinet of curiosities with a wonderfully political and crafty twist.

And then of course there is the food. Union often offers seasonal pizza toppings: asparagus in the spring, sweet corn, tomatoes, zucchini in the summer,  and squash and goat cheese in the fall. There are also year-round offerings, like the thai chicken and margharita, a revolving list of tasty and fun appetizers, and salads and desserts that satisfy the urge for a quick treat.

And what is a freshly made pizza without a tasty local brew? Under the leadership of brewmaster Matt Ecker, Union currently offers a variety of delicious beers, such as those named after the horses of Ulysses S. Grant, the Jeff Davis Porter, and Cincinatti Pale Ale. Union also carries an impressive choice of other Minnesota and North Dakota-brewed  beers, such as Surly, Fargo Brewing Company and Third Street Brewhouse.

In addition, you’ll get a taste of local culture at Union Pizza, through their busy schedule of events. The tables fill up for holiday songs, politics, popular movies, Tuesday Night Trivia, and more. In the fall, the alley next to the restaurant is closed off for a harvest festival with specialty food, live music and games. And whether it’s summer or winter, there is music whenever possible – CD release parties by local bands, beer and hymn night, and more. If you’re lucky, you’ll be lingering after dinner when the kitchen slows down and Ben, Tessa and their kids grab their instruments- violin, bass, guitar, and mandolin- and treat their customers to some tunes.

Anyone who has spent time there will agree Union Pizza and Brewing has helped take downtown Fergus Falls to the next level. After all, a community whose Mayor also makes sure good pizza and good beer are available at all times is one worth visiting!

[This story can also be found on page 35 of the 2017 Otter Tail Lakes Country Destination Guide!]