Number 7 Brewing Company

**jeff0514** · 06-13-2012, 08:26 AM

Has anyone heard whether they'll be open this weekend for sure?

**Al_4_State** · 06-13-2012, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by dmclone

I thought the same thing.

I almost think they're gearing their beer more and more around the idea of converting folks who drink strictly domestics (IE the college kids who dominate the drinking scene in their city), so they make beers that aren't all that challenging, but a hell of a lot more flavorful than Bud Light. There's a place for that, and its working well, but a DIPA doesn't fit that model. It would be nice to see them throw a bone to fans of hoppier beer and add it to the line-up full time, but I'm not too worried about it.

Also, not sure if anyone here is a fan of Toppling Goliath out of Decorah, but they've been on tap around Des Moines and are expanding their brewery to be the largest in Iowa. They make the best beer in the state, IMO, and their IPAs stand up to (and in many cases exceed) anything I've had from Colorado or California.

**cybsball20** · 06-13-2012, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by troutslayer

Like others have said, Number 7's opening has been delayed due to "equipment issues". I've heard that they are contract brewing until they are fully up and functioning.

Exile Brewing is slated to open downtown Des Moines the week of July 4th. The building is at 15th and Walnut.

Just saw that the brewmaster at Exile is an ISU Chemistry grad getting his Masters in brewing in Scotland, not bad... Driving by there I can't imagine them hitting their goal open date. It should be a cool spot though.

**troutslayer** · 06-13-2012, 10:00 AM

Backpocket Brewing just opened in Coralville. Primarily German beers, they will initially produce 7,000-8,000 barrels in the first year, eventually filling out to it's capacity of 25,000 barrels, making it the largest brewery in the state. Not the best location, but if they make good beer...

Backpocket Brewing

**ianoconnor** · 06-13-2012, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by pyrocyz

I am going to have to stop by BVB sometime soon. Sounds like a field trip is in order.

Samesies. Hadn't heard of it until now.

Also really want to go check out Backpocket.

**Al_4_State** · 06-13-2012, 03:38 PM

I like Backpocket a lot. Their original brewery (Old Man River) is in McGregor, and we got over there on a fairly regular basis. They don't brew anything there any more, but its all Backpocket beers on tap.

Plan on hitting up the new one the night before the Iowa/ISU game.

**psychlone99** · 06-14-2012, 09:39 PM

Any updates on Number 7? I'll probably swing by tomorrow if I don't hear anything. I'm really hoping to be able to check it out by Saturday.

**JD720** · 06-14-2012, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by psychlone99

Any updates on Number 7? I'll probably swing by tomorrow if I don't hear anything. I'm really hoping to be able to check it out by Saturday.

Their last comment on Facebook said they expected to be open sometime this week, but that comment was last Saturday and nothing has been said since.

http://www.facebook.com/Number7BrewingCompany

**psychlone99** · 06-15-2012, 10:07 AM

Cruised by again this morning. They had the smokers fired up and you could smell the distinct aroma of BBQ a couple blocks away. I was able to catch somebody outside the building who told me they will be opening for lunch today at 11. They have 3 of their beers available right now. Growlers are already sold out, but I'm sure they're getting more soon. $14 for the growler and $11 for a refill.

It will be interesting to see how "settled in" they are. The building exterior still looks very rough. They have a lot of clean up to do yet, but I'm happy to hear they're opening their doors.

**pyrocyz** · 06-15-2012, 10:42 AM

$11 for a growler refill...man they are going to take advantage of Ankeny with that price.

**JD720** · 06-19-2012, 07:29 AM

It looks like they had a silent opening last weekend to test things out. The official opening is today.

**lionnusmb** · 06-19-2012, 11:09 AM

Went to eat there with family for fathers day during one of their silent open days. We drove by and noticed they were open later that day. Here is my take on the place. I don't want to offend anyone so please just remember that this is only my opinion and take it for what it's worth.

Overall:
I enjoyed it. Nice atmosphere and would go again as often as I can. The wife doesn't like BBQ too much so we will see if I can drag her out more often.

Atmosphere:
Upon entering you can tell that it was finished without much capital, but what they did do, they did to the best of their abilities and pushed out as much quality as they could with their resources. I like it because you could tell it was done by someone local with an entrepreneurial mindset. Not someone that is in the business of opening up restaurants. I am all for supporting local businesses. Its not so done up that i feel uncomfortable in, but one that I feel can come in with my cleats along with the rest of my beer league teammates with and have some BBQ and beer.

Beer:
I tried the two beers they had on tap at the time. The first I tried was the number 7 amber. It was very good. It wasn't too deep that I felt full and not to simple. A good mix of complexity and flavor that I enjoyed with my moderate pallet.
The next I tried was the kb kolsch. Nothing for me to come back to. Might as well save a dollar and go with a Michelob golden. Very middle of the road flavor definitely appealing to those with a very mild pallet.

Food:
I ordered the full rack of ribs with beans and sweet potato fries. Love that i can get sweet potato fries. Different from most places that I can at least get them without being charged a premium.
The rub on the ribs was great. I ordered them dry because I like to sauce myself. You can order them wet though too. But the rub was great and could enjoy them dry if the sauce wasn't so good too. Enjoyed the sauce on the ribs a lot though. The smoke flavor was there and didn't overwhelm the rub in any way. Depending on where you eat you can leave with your hands smelling like smoke or rub. I prefer when they leave smelling of rub, which in this case they did. With my rudimentary BBQ eating talent I believe I smelled hickory smoke. Someone please correct me if I am wrong here.
Now onto the ribs. A little on the chewy side for me, but moist. I like them when they are more pull off the bone then cut with a knife from one another. Could have probably used more time cooking. The leftovers were great after reheating in the mic though.
The beans were decent, nothing I would write home about but with a lot of bacon. Loved that.
My wife ordered the Burger with caramalized onions and maytag blue cheese. I can't remember the name, but right up her alley. She was very disappointed after she asked if she could get the burger done medium. The server came back and said that they only do their burger well. Well, that's a no-no in our house. She ordered it anyway and said it would have been great had it been cooked to medium.
She ordered the pasta salad to go along with it and said it was decent.
I forgot to say that we ordered wings as an appetizer. They were great. Perfectly crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. We got them with the Thai chili sauce and enjoyed. Maybe to spicy for some and not spicy enough for other but I would recommend to anyone.

Service:
Was good but probably not a good indicator of future service since it was just opening and everyone is being trained. I think it was over staffed, but simply to get them all comfortable with the workings of the restaurant. The true indicator will be in a few months when the restaurant is more busy and the servers have more tables.

Yet again, I would recommend for anyone to go and support a local business. I liked it and would go again and again. It has it's flaws and some will probably be fixed within a month or so but overall well worth it. Some of its flaws aren't really flaws, but preference differences between me and the proprieter. Which harkens back to my original statement that these are my opinions and take them for what they're worth. Once again I hope I didn't offend anyone, but just wanted to give it some exposure and state what I thought about the place. I leave it up to you to make up your own opinion.

**NickTheGreat** · 06-19-2012, 12:17 PM

Interesting take. Do they have more beers, or will eventually?

**cyclone87** · 06-19-2012, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

I almost think they're gearing their beer more and more around the idea of converting folks who drink strictly domestics (IE the college kids who dominate the drinking scene in their city), so they make beers that aren't all that challenging, but a hell of a lot more flavorful than Bud Light. There's a place for that, and its working well, but a DIPA doesn't fit that model. It would be nice to see them throw a bone to fans of hoppier beer and add it to the line-up full time, but I'm not too worried about it.

Also, not sure if anyone here is a fan of Toppling Goliath out of Decorah, but they've been on tap around Des Moines and are expanding their brewery to be the largest in Iowa. They make the best beer in the state, IMO, and their IPAs stand up to (and in many cases exceed) anything I've had from Colorado or California.

A couple of friends of mine from high school are the brewmasters there. Always figured they would eventually make it big time, they were already brewing in their garage back then.