Rapid City's first firehouse has ironically found a long and fruitful new life as a different kind of watering hole. Owner Bob Fuchs transformed the former fine-dining steakhouse into South Dakota's first brewpub in 1991 and has been adding to it ever since. They can serve close to 200 people inside and out with a main-floor bar and nice lofted level, all decorated with shiny brass, red accents and firefighting artifacts. It's hard to resist the allure of eating outside, especially when it's well-shaded by day and buzzing with live bands on summer evenings. It stays open into the fall and surprisingly cozy with heat lamps and Olympic-worthy flames torches to take off the chill off. For many, the highlight is sampling the six beers on tap, a rotating selection of two dozen brews. They include several pale ales, Firehouse Red, a stout, light brown ale and Wilderness Wheat, the most popular choice with a light, crisp take on Czech hops and served with a lemon wedge. The menu ranges across the globe, from Cajun country to Britain. Some of our picks: toasted garlic beer bread with hot artichoke dip, classic fish and chips ($13.95), and Spontaneous Heating, a spicy thick gumbo loaded with sausage, shrimp, clams and chicken and served over rice ($14.95).