RAPID CITY, S.D. --- South Dakota Mines athletics, along with the university's Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement, the Hardrock Club have partnered with Dakota Point Brewery to release Hardrocker Ale, a  brand-new adult beverage, which will be available for purchase this fall during all Hardrocker home football games at O'Harra Stadium and at a limited amount of men's and women's basketball games in the King Center.

The official launch of the beer will take place at the Dakota Point Brewery in Rapid City, South Dakota, from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday.  There will also be a meet and greet with Hardrocker coaches and South Dakota Mines Athletics staff.

On June 23, the South Dakota Board of Regents approved an expanded policy that will allow its institutions to begin selling alcohol to general admission areas at games starting in the 2022-23 school year. The plan was unanimously approved after the board received a request from South Dakota public university students.

"This brings opportunities for us to potentially enhance our gameday atmosphere," said South Dakota Mines Athletic Director Joel Lueken. "It allows us to expand our marketing and potential partnerships in town.

Lueken added, "I think this is going to be a positive thing moving forward --  not just for Hardrocker athletic events, we're also planning on doing it at concerts, potentially, and even theatrical performances."  

For the immediate future, Hardrocker Ale will be sold exclusively at O'Harra Stadium during the six home football games, available in 16 oz cans donning the Hardrocker logo. It can also be purchased on site at Dakota Point Brewery, where owner and South Dakota Mines alum Neal Schlottman has generously pledged that $1 of every pour of Hardrocker Ale sold will go to toward scholarships at South Dakota Mines.  

Tuesday's launch will officially kick off the Hardrockers 2022-23 athletic season with the first football game slated for Saturday September 10^th with a 12 p.m. kickoff. Details are still being finalized where Hardrocker Ale can be bought at O'Harra Stadium. But it is known that it will be restricted to the ramps and not be allowed in the north grandstands