Star Brewery/Restaurant in Dubuque Closed

**IAStubborn** · 02-20-2013, 01:18 AM

Crap their breaded iowa chop may have best pork chop i have ever had

**00clone** · 02-20-2013, 02:04 AM

For those who have only read the last page, this isn't a thread about olde main brewery in Ames....

As much as I'd like to ***** on the Bomma guy, this is a dumb story. The Star Brewery has been closed for damn near 20 years. A winery bought the building (and locals were like...whaaaa? It's in a dump hole) and tried making a go of it. Good on 'em, I had a friend that got married there, it was cool, but it's been for sale for at least a few years (officially or unofficially).

Dubuque's riverfront could make a hell of a comeback, and has made a good one since I grew up there, but the Star facility is about 10-20 years' worth of developments from being a good location, unless you have a lot of cash to finance making a regional beer brand again.

The actual story is not nearly the 'wailing and gnashing of teeth' that is implied, nor 'the end is nigh', the facility is huge and not in a spot that has a lot of sexiness (yet).

**CyinCo** · 02-20-2013, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by 00clone

For those who have only read the last page, this isn't a thread about olde main brewery in Ames....

As much as I'd like to ***** on the Bomma guy, this is a dumb story. The Star Brewery has been closed for damn near 20 years. A winery bought the building (and locals were like...whaaaa? It's in a dump hole) and tried making a go of it. Good on 'em, I had a friend that got married there, it was cool, but it's been for sale for at least a few years (officially or unofficially).

Dubuque's riverfront could make a hell of a comeback, and has made a good one since I grew up there, but the Star facility is about 10-20 years' worth of developments from being a good location, unless you have a lot of cash to finance making a regional beer brand again.

The actual story is not nearly the 'wailing and gnashing of teeth' that is implied, nor 'the end is nigh', the facility is huge and not in a spot that has a lot of sexiness (yet).

OK. You obviously haven't been to that area for a really, really long time. The riverfront HAS been developed including the brewery. No, it wasn't being used as a brewery, but the winery, restaurant, and Ultra lounge were all very cool places on the riverfront. There is also a hotel next to it with riverfront dining. Of course, the casino is down there as well.

**cyfanatic** · 02-20-2013, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

OK. You obviously haven't been to that area for a really, really long time. The riverfront HAS been developed including the brewery. No, it wasn't being used as a brewery, but the winery, restaurant, and Ultra lounge were all very cool places on the riverfront. There is also a hotel next to it with riverfront dining. Of course, the casino is down there as well.

I agree with this! The building and the area is really cool! But the one (and I have only been there once) time last summer I ate there made me not want to go back. Food was very expensive and was nothing special at all. I did like the winery on the main floor. But yeah...that location is great and hopefully someone acquires that property and does something special with it. Never thought I would say this...but Dubuque is a cool town!

**CyinCo** · 02-20-2013, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by cyfanatic

I agree with this! The building and the area is really cool! But the one (and I have only been there once) time last summer I ate there made me not want to go back. Food was very expensive and was nothing special at all. I did like the winery on the main floor. But yeah...that location is great and hopefully someone acquires that property and does something special with it. Never thought I would say this...but Dubuque is a cool town!

I've eaten there once. But I did like the Ultra Lounge. Laid back feel with a nice big open air deck in the summer. I have to believe someone else will take a try at that building.

**chuckd4735** · 02-20-2013, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by 00clone

For those who have only read the last page, this isn't a thread about olde main brewery in Ames....

As much as I'd like to ***** on the Bomma guy, this is a dumb story. The Star Brewery has been closed for damn near 20 years. A winery bought the building (and locals were like...whaaaa? It's in a dump hole) and tried making a go of it. Good on 'em, I had a friend that got married there, it was cool, but it's been for sale for at least a few years (officially or unofficially).

Dubuque's riverfront could make a hell of a comeback, and has made a good one since I grew up there, but the Star facility is about 10-20 years' worth of developments from being a good location, unless you have a lot of cash to finance making a regional beer brand again.

The actual story is not nearly the 'wailing and gnashing of teeth' that is implied, nor 'the end is nigh', the facility is huge and not in a spot that has a lot of sexiness (yet).

UMMMMM, what? Having a restaurant right next to Grand River Center that is holding multiple conventions per week, right next to a Grand Harbor Hotel which is typically booked full every weekend, and right next to the Diamond Jo Casino which is ALWAYS full is not a spot that has sexiness?

Also, what the hell is Dubuque's riverfront going to comeback from? Mass industry? That town has made epic strides to revitalize the entire riverfront area in the last 10 years; its simply amazing the progress they have made. The Star building is probably the poster child for that revitalization and is a great example of adaptive reuse.

The Star's problem was their overpriced food. They tried to place an upscale restaurant in an area that demands affordable. On top of that, having a restaurant where everything needs to come in and come out via an elevator is not as feasible as you would think. Ask Legends in Ames.

**cyfanatic** · 02-20-2013, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

The Star's problem was their overpriced food. They tried to place an upscale restaurant in an area that demands affordable.

Yep...this is spot-on!

**00clone** · 02-20-2013, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

OK. You obviously haven't been to that area for a really, really long time.

Originally Posted by chuckd4735

UMMMMM, what? Having a restaurant right next to Grand River Center

OK, I was really wrong....

It has been a while, but not that long. The grand river and all that other stuff was there, but for some reason, I was thinking it was farther away from the star brewery. The feeling I had in my mind was the port stuff and where that is, then driving thru some of the post industrial blight to get to the star building.

I take my lumps and the pointing and laughing that goes with being wrong.

**chuckd4735** · 02-20-2013, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by 00clone

OK, I was really wrong....

It has been a while, but not that long. The grand river and all that other stuff was there, but for some reason, I was thinking it was farther away from the star brewery. The feeling I had in my mind was the port stuff and where that is, then driving thru some of the post industrial blight to get to the star building.

I take my lumps and the pointing and laughing that goes with being wrong.

Yeah...I grew up in Dubuque as well. 15 years ago, we were always fishing along the flood wall right by the Star/Shot Tower/train bridge when they used to have the barges parked out there and the catfish would hit like crazy. It is just amazing how that area has changed.

**huntt26** · 02-20-2013, 09:23 AM

Hopefully this does not impact the winery on the first floor - my wedding reception is supposed to be there in October. Might want to give them a call...

**Freebird** · 02-20-2013, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by CyCrazy

Ya their Sunday brunch is fantastic.

I've heard the brunch is great and I think their beer has improved dramatically since they opened however the food has been terrible every time I have been there. And the last (and final) time I went there the service was so bad that I haven't been back since.

I worked waiting tables through my time at ISU and I will put up with some poor service because sometimes things just happen but it was ridiculously bad. Too bad as I had really high hopes for that place. I don't know how they are still open, maybe I have just had bad luck over the years.

**JP4CY** · 02-20-2013, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Freebird

I've heard the brunch is great and I think their beer has improved dramatically since they opened however the food has been terrible every time I have been there. And the last (and final) time I went there the service was so bad that I haven't been back since.

Exact same story for me a year ago. Haven't been back.

**NickTheGreat** · 02-20-2013, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by huntt26

Hopefully this does not impact the winery on the first floor - my wedding reception is supposed to be there in October. Might want to give them a call...

Yah I'd look into that if I were you