Iowa Breweries: Top Craft Beer Spots to Visit

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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