Iowa is fast building a reputation for its rapidly-growing craft beer movement. Craft beers appeal to people who like something a little different and most of the craft breweries pride themselves on producing unique brews which are innovative versions of traditional favorites.
Third Base Brewery, Cedar Rapids
Established in 1996, Third Base Brewery is one of the oldest craft breweries in Iowa. The brewery has a spacious back room where you can enjoy a game of pool or darts while sipping your favorite craft brew and there are strategically placed TV’s so that sports enthusiasts need never miss a game.
The brewery offers an ever-changing selection of at least ten Third Base brews on tap as well as a growing selection of guest brews. You can order a flight of 4oz tasters to get a great overview of what is available and you can also order a tasty meal from their food menu – regular discounts and Happy Hour specials are on offer.
Third Base Brewery, 500 Blair’s Ferry Rd Northeast, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, Phone: 319-378-9090
Okoboji Brewing Company, Spirit Lake
Since 2009 the Okoboji Brewing Company has been introducing the Great Lakes community to the delights of small-batch craft beers. The company has a substantial 25 barrel production system in their brewery and a Taproom where you will always find ten hand-crafted beers on tap.
The best way to discover which of the current nine craft brews you prefer is to order a flight of 4oz mini tasters. Two of the company’s perennial favorites are the Veneration IPA and the Boji Blue Pale Ale, both of which are brewed on site. In addition the Taproom offers a selection of guest taps from craft breweries all around the country.
Okoboji Brewing Company, 3705 Hwy 71, Spirit Lake, IA 51360, Phone: 712-336-8406
Confluence Brewing Company, Des Moines
An early fascination with the intricacies and expertise needed to brew a great craft beer led Confluence Brewery founder John Martin to keep honing his home-brewing skills and eventually go into a micro-brewery partnership with fellow brewing enthusiast Ken Broadhead. Today you can visit the Confluence Brewing Company Taproom to spend some convivial time with friends tasting a range of traditional (and non-traditional) craft beers. Year-round stalwarts include Des Moines IPA, Farmer John’s Ale, Capital Gold Lager and Thomas Beck Black IPA. Seasonal innovations and unique limited release brews include a choice of Milk Stouts, Lagers, Blonde Ales, Sour Ales, Hefeweizens and an English-style ESB.
Confluence Brewing Company, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315, Phone: 515-285-9005
Contrary Brewing Company, Muscatine
Contrary Brewing Company is located alongside the Mississippi River in Muscatine Iowa. The brewery produces an impressive menu of innovative brews. Many of the beers on offer are based on traditional European and American brewing styles which have been given an innovative crafty twist to make them unique. You can start by trying one of their tap-room ranges of Blonde and Pale Ales or be more adventurous and try the German’s Chocolate Cake – a heady Brown Ale redolent with coconut, chocolate and caramel. If you love fruity beers try their Moving to the Country Milkshake which shocks the palate with an abundance of vanilla, peach and mango. On good weather days you can enjoy your craft brew on the terrace overlooking the river.
Contrary Brewing Company, 411 W. Mississippi Dr, Muscatine, IA 52761, Phone: 563-299-7894
Firetrucker Brewery, Ankeny
Firetrucker Brewery in Ankeny is based on the premise that Beer is Art and that producing a fine craft beer is a work of innovation and creativity. The brewery produces a fine selection of year-round on-tap favorites as well as a cheeky collection of seasonal experimental brews including a range of intriguing smoky Stouts and Porters (thanks to their in-house milled and smoked grains). A few of their limited-release brews include Tropical Burn (DIPA with citrus and mango tones), Paradox Black IPA with vanilla and citrus and Silvius Brabo, a Belgian Pale Ale with hints of biscuity caramel. You can enjoy great beer together with great music at one of the breweries’ regular music evenings.
Firetrucker Brewery , 716 SW 3rd Street, Ankeny, IA 50023, Phone: 515-964-1284
Franklin Street Brewing Company, Manchester
The Franklin Street Brewing Company is owned by brothers Kyle and Chad Sands and is conveniently located in a historic Masonic building in downtown Manchester. The brothers honed their skills over many years and are now producing small-batch award-winning Ales and Lagers which are defined by quality ingredients which place them firmly ahead of mass-produced brews. Every month you will find a rotating selection of beers available at the Taproom; the current selection includes a Czech-style Pilsner called Big Frank, a Cherry Saison called Book Club and a robust and chocolaty Stout called Don’s White. On Fridays and Saturdays there is usually some local live music to go with your pint.
Franklin Street Brewing Company, 116 South Franklin Street, Manchester, IA 52057, Phone: 563-927-2722
Iowa Brewing Company, Cedar Rapids
The Iowa Brewing Company’s brewery facility in Cedar Rapids still looks shiny and new but it is constantly growing from strength to strength. The Taproom is a comfortable space to spend time with friends, listen to some live music and taste some great craft brews. (There is also a great outdoor seating area for balmy summer days). The brewery produces a range of year-round core brews which include Iowa Eagle (American Lager), Bohemian Rapids (Czech Pilsner), Surf Zombies (IPA) and Tragedy of the Common (Amber Lager). This core selection is joined by seasonal brews including Sterling Bridge Scottish Ale and Oja Baltic Porter. Several of the beers are produced using innovative barrel maturation.
Iowa Brewing Company, 708 3rd St, SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, Phone: 319-366-2337
Jubeck New World Brewing, Dubuque
At Jubeck New World Brewing the emphasis is on producing high-quality hand-crafted Ales and Lagers using the best possible locally sourced (and organically grown) ingredients. In the Taproom you will find a rotating selection of ten craft brews – popularity dictates which of the many experimental and seasonal brews will find a regular place on the list. You will always find a few great American Ales, one or two Belgian and British Ales, a couple of German Ales and Lagers as well as a Stout and/or Porter. If you are lucky enough to be a local craft beer fan you can buy a membership at the Brewery which offers many great deals including exclusive events and member discounts.
Jubeck New World Brewing, 115 W 11th St, Dubuque, IA 52001, Phone: 775-375-5692
Kalona Brewing Company, Kalona
Conveniently located in Kalona, (just 30 minutes from Iowa City) the Kalona Brewing Company produces their selection of hand-crafted beers using a 15-barrel brewery system. More than just a craft brewery, the Kalona Brewing Company has an on-site restaurant where you can sample their produce on tap (including limited editions and seasonal brews) and enjoy a delicious meal prepared from locally-sourced ingredients. A few of the core beers available include Sucha Much (IPA), Kalona Classic (Light Lager), Quick Wit (Belgian Wheat) and Sheer Madness (Dark Wheat Ale). In addition there are always a few seasonal gems like Start Up Stout (with coffee and chocolate) and Limber Legs Lager (around Oktoberfest time).
Kalona Brewing Company, 405 B Avenue, Kalona, IA 52247, Phone: 319-656-3335
Keg Creek Brewing Company, Glenwood
Open five days a week (Wednesday to Sunday), the Taproom at the Keg Creek Brewing Company offers visitors the chance to taste a rotating selection of twelve carefully hand-crafted on-tap beers.
There will always be a few beautifully rounded Red, Brown and India Pale Ales, accompanied by a few American Wheat Ales, a couple of full-bodied, dark and mysterious Stouts and the odd German-style Lager. The team at Keg Creek is proud of their brewing establishment as well as their distinctive craft brews and likes to promote an interest in craft brewing by offering tours and educational discussions and tastings.
Keg Creek Brewing Company, 111 Sharp Street, Glenwood, IA 51534, Phone: 712-520-9029
