What started as one person's love for good beer has grown into a local movement.

Ten years ago, Jerry Hauck took a risk and opened Monk's House of Ale Repute in a cozy building downtown. Since then, the local craft beer scene has exploded, showing no signs of slowing down.

"When we first opened, people didn’t think we’d last three months," said Hauck. "We went against the odds, but I was pretty familiar with the craft beer industry and knew it was coming to Sioux Falls at some point."

Hauck's leap of faith paid off, with the bar celebrating its 10th birthday this week with new beer releases, food specials and merchandise giveaways.

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In 2007, Monk's started out with 12 taps dedicated to craft beer, an ambitious task since there were no active breweries in town at the time.

Eager to bring good beer to the citizens of Sioux Falls, Hauck worked with distributors to find the finest, rarest and most interesting brews around. The owner was particularly fond of Belgian beers, which were nearly impossible to find in town before Monk's.

"They started out with 12 taps up front, and they had a hard time keeping 12 beers on because there wasn’t enough craft beer in South Dakota to keep them full," said general manager Karen Budde. "Now we’ve got 39 lines, and we could easily have triple or quadruple that and still not have everything covered."

Local craft beer admirers immediately recognized the value of the new bar, but many in town had not yet developed a taste for the exotic brews. In a few short years, however, Monk's reputation as a destination for beer lovers grew, making it the go-to place.

"It used to be that they would have taps up there for several weeks. I could come in and get one of my favorites," said Monk's regular Tim Worthington. "Now I’m gone a day or two, come in, and half of the taps are brand new."

With new breweries and craft beer bars opening in Sioux Falls every year, Monk's remains the anchor for the local scene.

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"We still get the people asking for a domestic beer, but the majority of people are open to trying something new and different," said Budde. "It’s not just drinking what your dad drank or what you grew up with."

Over the years, Monk's has expanded to include a deck, patio, private party room and brewery, with Gandy Dancer Brew Works added in the back of the bar in 2012.

The microbrewery was the founding member of downtown's now-booming brewers row, and creations by Gandy Dancer brewmaster John Berkness are only available on tap at Monk's.

Gandy Dancer Brew Works and Monk's have helped pave the way for the city's newest breweries. Accompanying Monk's downtown are Fernson on 8th, Remedy Brewing Company, WoodGrian Brewing Company, Prairie Berry East Bank and Hydra Beer Hall.

Rather than fearing the competition, Monk's has welcomed their neighbors. Customers often make a night of bar-hopping from one brewery to the next.

While many bars downtown feature a sleek modern look, Monk's is known for its laid-back atmosphere.

"We’re a little worn around the edges, but we kind of like it that way," said Budde.

The homey and comfortable ambiance, along with the great beer, is what attracts many of Monk's regulars. Among the locals who frequently warm the bar-stools is Pastor Tim Worthington, 65, who has officiated the weddings of at least two bartenders.

"I’ve been coming here nine and a half years and it’s a whole lot like 'Cheers,'" said Worthington. "When I come in, they yell out my name, Pastor Tim. It’s a place where I’ve learned to enjoy not only great beer but great friends."

Downtown resident Jim Rowland, 68, often joins the pastor for a late afternoon beer. Rowland, who has been a fan of Monk's since it opened, even has a bar stool with his name on it.

Like most bars, as the night wears on the crowd gets younger. But in the 10 years since Monk's has been open, they've never had to call the police, according to Hauck.

"I look back and I’m just astounded I’ve been there for 10 years," said Hauck. "I want to thank our customers for helping us stay the number one craft bar in South Dakota."

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To celebrate their decade of success, Monk's is hosting a birthday bash on Thursday. Guest taps will be a dollar off all night long and Gandy Dancer beers will all be $4.

If you have an event or story idea that fits into the Sioux Falls dining or entertainment theme, Alexa Giebink can be reached at agiebink@argusleader.com. Follow her on twitter @ArgusAGiebink

IF YOU GO

What: Monk's 10th Birthday Bash

When: Thursday, 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Where: 420 E. 8th St.