What are the best breweries in Iowa? Whether you’re traveling or this is your home, how do you find the breweries that offer top craft beer in Iowa so you can know which ones are the most worthwhile to check out? We’ve compiled a list of the top-rated breweries in Iowa, based upon the ratings of actual fellow beer-lovers on Untapped. We hope this brewery guide will aid you in your brewery exploration of The Hawkeye State so that you can maximize your beer and brewery enjoyment. Happy beer exploring!
#10 Fat Hill Brewing – 3.90 average Untapped rating
Fat Hill Brewing is a craft brewery located in Mason City, Iowa. Here’s an overview of Fat Hill Brewing:
1. **Location**: Fat Hill Brewing is situated in Mason City, Iowa, at 17 N Federal Ave, Mason City, IA 50401.
2. **Founding**: Fat Hill Brewing was founded by Philip and Amanda Johnson. The brewery opened its doors in 2014 with a focus on providing high-quality craft beer to the local community.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Fat Hill Brewing is dedicated to brewing a variety of craft beers that showcase quality ingredients and unique flavors. They prioritize creativity and innovation in their brewing process, striving to create memorable and enjoyable beers for their patrons.
4. **Beer Selection**: Fat Hill Brewing offers a diverse selection of beers, including IPAs, stouts, porters, ales, and seasonal specialties. They brew their beers on-site using traditional brewing techniques and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Fat Hill Brewing operates a welcoming and relaxed taproom at their brewery in Mason City. The taproom features a cozy atmosphere with ample seating, a bar area, and occasional events such as live music or trivia nights. Patrons can enjoy freshly brewed beer while socializing with friends or fellow beer enthusiasts.
Overall, Fat Hill Brewing has become a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts in Mason City and the surrounding area, known for their diverse selection of high-quality beers and welcoming taproom atmosphere. While community engagement may not be their primary focus, their dedication to brewing excellent beers has made them a beloved fixture in the local craft beer scene.
#9 Lion Bridge Brewing Company – 3.92 average Untapped rating
Lion Bridge Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Here’s an overview of Lion Bridge Brewing Company:
1. **Location**: Lion Bridge Brewing Company is situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at 59 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
2. **Founding**: Lion Bridge Brewing Company was founded in 2014 by Quinton McClain, Alec Davis, and Ryan Sarno. The brewery opened with the aim of providing high-quality craft beer to the local community while celebrating the rich history and culture of Cedar Rapids.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Lion Bridge Brewing Company is dedicated to brewing a wide range of beer styles with an emphasis on quality, creativity, and innovation. They use traditional brewing techniques and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible to create flavorful and distinctive beers.
4. **Beer Selection**: Lion Bridge Brewing Company offers a diverse selection of beers, including IPAs, stouts, porters, lagers, and seasonal specialties. They brew a mix of both classic and experimental styles, ensuring there’s something for every beer enthusiast to enjoy.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Lion Bridge Brewing Company operates a welcoming and vibrant taproom at their brewery in Cedar Rapids. The taproom features a cozy atmosphere with ample seating, a bar area, and occasional live music or events. Patrons can relax and socialize while enjoying fresh, locally brewed beer.
7. **Recognition**: Lion Bridge Brewing Company has received numerous awards and accolades for their beers, including medals at prestigious beer competitions such as the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup. They are widely regarded as one of the top craft breweries in Iowa.
Overall, Lion Bridge Brewing Company has become a beloved fixture in the Cedar Rapids beer scene, known for their commitment to quality, creativity, and community involvement. Whether you’re a local resident or just passing through, a visit to Lion Bridge Brewing Company is sure to be a memorable and enjoyable experience.
#8 Brightside Aleworks – 3.92 average Untapped rating
Brightside Aleworks is a craft brewery located in Altoona, Iowa. Here’s an overview focusing solely on the brewery and its offerings:
1. **Location**: Brightside Aleworks is situated in Altoona, a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa. The brewery’s address is 480 Center Pl Suite A, Altoona, IA 50009.
2. **Founding**: Brightside Aleworks was founded by Tom and Molly Palmer. The brewery opened its doors in 2017 with a focus on brewing high-quality craft beers for the local community.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Brightside Aleworks is dedicated to brewing a variety of craft beers that appeal to a wide range of tastes. They emphasize quality ingredients, attention to detail, and creativity in their brewing process, aiming to create flavorful and enjoyable beers.
4. **Beer Selection**: Brightside Aleworks offers a selection of beers, including IPAs, stouts, porters, ales, and seasonal specialties. They brew their beers on-site using traditional brewing techniques and quality ingredients.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Brightside Aleworks operates a taproom at their brewery in Altoona. The taproom provides a cozy and relaxed atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their beers, with a rustic interior and occasional events such as trivia nights or live music.
Overall, Brightside Aleworks has become a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts in Altoona and the surrounding area, known for their diverse selection of high-quality beers and welcoming taproom atmosphere. Their dedication to brewing excellent beers has made them a beloved fixture in the local craft beer scene.
#7 Big Grove Brewery 3.94 average Untapped rating
Big Grove Brewery is a well-known craft brewery with locations in Solon, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City’s Iowa River Landing. Here’s an overview of Big Grove Brewery:
1. **Locations**: Big Grove Brewery has several locations across Iowa:
– Solon: The original location is in Solon, Iowa, at 101 W Main St, Solon, IA 52333.
– Iowa City (Gilbert Street): Located at 1225 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA 52240.
– Iowa City (Iowa River Landing): Situated at 970 23rd Ave, Coralville, IA 52241.
– Cedar Rapids (CR Main): Found at 1225 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.
– Cedar Rapids (Big Grove Brewery & Taproom): Located at 1221 Gilbert St, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.
2. **Founding**: Big Grove Brewery was founded in 2013 by Jeff Christen, Matt Swift, and Doug Goettsch. They opened their Solon location as their flagship brewery.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Big Grove Brewery is dedicated to crafting high-quality, innovative, and flavorful beers using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. They focus on a diverse range of beer styles, including IPAs, stouts, lagers, sours, and seasonal specialties.
4. **Beer Selection**: Big Grove Brewery offers a wide variety of beers across their locations, including flagship brews like their Arms Race IPA, Boomtown American Lager, and Easy Eddy Hazy IPA. They also regularly release limited-edition and seasonal beers, keeping their tap lists fresh and exciting.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Each Big Grove Brewery location offers a unique taproom experience, ranging from the original Solon location’s rustic and cozy atmosphere to the expansive and modern spaces in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. They often host events, live music, and food trucks to enhance the taproom experience.
6. **Food**: Big Grove Brewery is renowned for its delicious food offerings, featuring locally sourced ingredients and creative dishes that complement their beer selection. Each location has its own menu, with options ranging from pub classics to elevated gastropub fare.
Overall, Big Grove Brewery has become a staple of the Iowa craft beer scene, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and community involvement. Whether you’re looking for a delicious meal, a wide selection of craft beers, or a vibrant taproom atmosphere, Big Grove Brewery offers something for everyone.
#6 Bremer Brewing Company – 3.96 average Untapped rating
Bremer Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Garnavillo, Iowa. Here’s an overview of Bremer Brewing:
1. **Location**: Bremer Brewing Company is situated in Garnavillo, a small town in northeastern Iowa. The brewery’s address is 705 S Maryville St, Garnavillo, IA 52049.
2. **Founding**: Bremer Brewing Company was founded by husband and wife team, Jason and Holly Bremer. The brewery opened its doors in 2015 with a focus on brewing high-quality craft beers for the local community.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Bremer Brewing Company is dedicated to brewing a variety of craft beers that appeal to a wide range of tastes. They emphasize quality ingredients and attention to detail in their brewing process, aiming to create flavorful and enjoyable beers.
4. **Beer Selection**: Bremer Brewing Company offers a selection of beers, including IPAs, stouts, porters, ales, and seasonal specialties. They brew their beers on-site using traditional brewing techniques and local ingredients whenever possible.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Bremer Brewing Company operates a taproom at their brewery in Garnavillo. The taproom provides a cozy and relaxed atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their beers, with a rustic interior and occasional live music or events.
Overall, Bremer Brewing Company has become a beloved gathering place for craft beer enthusiasts in Garnavillo and the surrounding area, known for their friendly atmosphere, quality beers, and commitment to community engagement. Their dedication to brewing excellent beers while fostering a sense of community has made them a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
#5 Alluvial Brewing Company – 3.96 average Untapped rating
Alluvial Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Ames, Iowa. Here’s an overview of Alluvial Brewing:
1. **Location**: Alluvial Brewing Company is situated in Ames, a city in central Iowa. The brewery’s address is 3715 W 190th St, Ames, IA 50014.
2. **Founding**: Alluvial Brewing Company was founded by Nick Kuhn and Ben Harris. The brewery opened its doors in 2018 with a focus on brewing high-quality craft beers using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Alluvial Brewing Company is dedicated to crafting a diverse range of beers that appeal to a wide variety of palates. They emphasize quality, creativity, and innovation in their brewing process, striving to create unique and flavorful beers.
4. **Beer Selection**: Alluvial Brewing Company offers a rotating selection of beers, including IPAs, stouts, porters, sours, and seasonal specialties. They brew their beers on-site using traditional brewing techniques and quality ingredients.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Alluvial Brewing Company operates a taproom at their brewery in Ames. The taproom provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their beers, with a cozy interior, outdoor seating options, and occasional live music or events.
Overall, Alluvial Brewing Company has become a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts in Ames and the surrounding area, known for their diverse selection of high-quality beers, welcoming taproom atmosphere, and commitment to community engagement. Their dedication to brewing excellent beers while fostering a sense of community has made them a beloved fixture in the Ames beer scene.
#4 Gezellig Brewing Company – 3.97 average Untapped rating
Gezellig Brewing is a craft brewery located in Newton, Iowa. Here’s an overview of Gezellig Brewing:
1. **Location**: Gezellig Brewing is situated in Newton, a city in central Iowa. The brewery’s address is 403 W 4th St S, Newton, IA 50208.
2. **Founding**: Gezellig Brewing was founded by Andy and Deb Bishop. The brewery opened its doors in 2017 with a focus on providing a warm and inviting gathering place for the community.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Gezellig Brewing is dedicated to brewing high-quality craft beers that are approachable and enjoyable for a wide range of beer drinkers. They strive to create a welcoming atmosphere in their taproom where patrons can relax and socialize over a pint of beer.
4. **Beer Selection**: Gezellig Brewing offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, porters, ales, and seasonal specialties. They brew their beers on-site using quality ingredients and traditional brewing techniques.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Gezellig Brewing operates a cozy and comfortable taproom at their brewery in Newton. The taproom features a rustic and inviting atmosphere with a bar area, tables, and seating options for patrons to enjoy their beers.
Overall, Gezellig Brewing has become a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts in Newton and the surrounding area, known for their welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff, and quality beers. Their commitment to providing a gathering place where people can come together to enjoy great beer and good company has made them a beloved fixture in the community.
#3 Barn Town Brewing – 4.01 average Untapped rating
Barn Town Brewing is a craft brewery located in West Des Moines, Iowa. Here’s an overview of Barn Town Brewing:
1. **Location**: Barn Town Brewing is situated in West Des Moines, a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa. The brewery’s address is 9500 University Ave #1112, West Des Moines, IA 50266.
2. **Founding**: Barn Town Brewing was founded by Pete Faber and Jason Jones. The brewery opened its doors in 2016 with a focus on brewing innovative and high-quality craft beers.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Barn Town Brewing is dedicated to crafting a diverse range of beers that showcase creativity, quality, and attention to detail. They experiment with various ingredients and brewing techniques to create unique and flavorful beers.
4. **Beer Selection**: Barn Town Brewing offers a wide variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, sours, lagers, and seasonal specialties. They frequently rotate their beer menu to provide patrons with new and exciting options to try.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Barn Town Brewing operates a spacious and rustic-chic taproom at their brewery in West Des Moines. The taproom provides a welcoming atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their beers, with ample seating, a bar area, and outdoor patio seating available.
6. **Food**: In addition to their beer offerings, Barn Town Brewing has a full kitchen serving a menu of elevated pub fare, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers.
Overall, Barn Town Brewing has become a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts in the Des Moines area, known for their diverse selection of high-quality beers, welcoming taproom atmosphere, and delicious food offerings. Their commitment to quality, creativity, and community involvement continues to attract locals and visitors alike.
#2 Clock House Brewing – 4.07 average Untapped rating
Clock House Brewing is a craft brewery located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Here’s an overview:
1. **Location**: Clock House Brewing is situated in Cedar Rapids, a city in eastern Iowa. The brewery’s address is 600 1st St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.
2. **Founding**: Clock House Brewing was founded by Caleb and Lauren Andrews. The brewery opened its doors in 2018 with a focus on brewing high-quality craft beers.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Clock House Brewing is dedicated to crafting a diverse range of beers that appeal to a wide variety of palates. They are known for their commitment to quality ingredients and innovative brewing techniques.
4. **Beer Selection**: Clock House Brewing offers a rotating selection of beers, including IPAs, stouts, porters, sours, and seasonal specialties. They frequently introduce new and unique brews to keep their tap lineup fresh and exciting.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Clock House Brewing operates a taproom at their brewery in Cedar Rapids. The taproom provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their beers, with a cozy interior and outdoor seating options available.
Overall, Clock House Brewing has become a popular destination for craft beer enthusiasts in Cedar Rapids, known for their diverse selection of high-quality beers and welcoming taproom atmosphere. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and community involvement continues to attract locals and visitors alike.
#1 Lua Brewing – 4.23 average Untapped rating
Lua Brewing in Des Moines, Iowa, is known for its craft beers and unique atmosphere, even without a strong emphasis on community engagement. Here’s a brief overview focusing solely on its brewing and taproom:
1. **Location**: Lua Brewing is located at 1525 High St, Des Moines, IA 50309.
2. **Founding**: Lua Brewing was founded by Zack Dunbar and Whitney Wiese in 2019.
3. **Brewing Philosophy**: Lua Brewing emphasizes innovation and quality in its brewing process. They experiment with various ingredients and styles to create unique and flavorful beers.
4. **Beer Selection**: Lua Brewing offers a diverse selection of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, sours, and seasonal brews. They frequently rotate their beer menu to provide patrons with new and exciting options.
5. **Taproom Experience**: Lua Brewing’s taproom provides a cozy and relaxed atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their beers. The taproom features a modern and inviting design, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to socialize and unwind.
Overall, Lua Brewing is recognized for its quality craft beers and inviting taproom ambiance, making it a popular destination for beer enthusiasts in Des Moines, Iowa.
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