Microbreweries

**JP4CY** · 04-28-2009, 03:49 PM

I tend to enjoy about every type of beer out there. I have some growlers for Gordon Biersch whenever I go to KC, or Chicago. I am wondering what people on here recommend for the DM area. Is one place making better beers than the other. What is there-Raccoon, Court Ave, Rock Bottom, and Granite?
I go to DM once a week or so and would like to get into the habit of filling up a growler at the place that has the best beer there. Haven't had a ton of experience with any one place, mostly Raccoon because of the pool tables.

**DaddyMac** · 04-28-2009, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by johnpkelly81

I tend to enjoy about every type of beer out there. I have some growlers for Gordon Biersch whenever I go to KC, or Chicago. I am wondering what people on here recommend for the DM area. Is one place making better beers than the other. What is there-Raccoon, Court Ave, Rock Bottom, and Granite?
I go to DM once a week or so and would like to get into the habit of filling up a growler at the place that has the best beer there. Haven't had a ton of experience with any one place, mostly Raccoon because of the pool tables.

I've always liked Court Ave.

Another is Granite City in WDM/Clive. Great food as well.

Sorry - missed you had Granite in there.

**Palmer** · 04-28-2009, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

I've always liked Court Ave.

Another is Granite City in WDM/Clive. Great food as well.

Have you tried their 'Iowa Oak' brand?

Pretty tasty

**DaddyMac** · 04-28-2009, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Palmer

Have you tried their 'Iowa Oak' brand?

Pretty tasty

Not yet - my wife has tried it down at the I-Cubs and likes it.

Is there a micro over in the East Village? Can't find it online anywhere, but seems to me there is...

If you're ever going nearby Amana, Millstream has pretty good brews as well.

**Al_4_State** · 04-28-2009, 03:57 PM

I think that Olde Main is better than any brewery in Des Moines, by a considerable margin. I've never had a beer at any of the DSM breweries that I thought sucked, but never really been blown away either. I would rank:

1) Court Ave/Rockbottom
2) Granite City
3) Raccoon River

**JP4CY** · 04-28-2009, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

Not yet - my wife has tried it down at the I-Cubs and likes it.

Is there a micro over in the East Village? Can't find it online anywhere, but seems to me there is...

If you're ever going nearby Amana, Millstream has pretty good brews as well.

LOVE the John's Grocery Amana - I get that at 212 all the time.
ICubs have Granite on tap?

**isuclone89** · 04-28-2009, 04:01 PM

Dang I miss GB. It's maibock season now as well.

**JP4CY** · 04-28-2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by isuclone89

Dang I miss GB. It's maibock season now as well.

Yeah i got a growler of that filled a couple weeks ago in KC. I spent the money a couple years ago in Cali to get the rubber stopper (Grolsch Style) growlers. Brought them into the KC one and the manager was like, where did you get those at? We need to get those here. I bought a pint of a beer and he got me a clean glass to keep to bring home.

**CyinCo** · 04-28-2009, 04:06 PM

Not much to brag about here in Des Moines or even Iowa in General. When I lived in wisconsin, there were many, many micros. CO as well had micros gallore. Des Moines options tend to be chains. All in all, it doesn't really matter as long as it is good.

On a side note, I once bought a draft of a Court Ave brew while waiting for my plane at the airport bar and it cost me about 7.50 for a pint. No beer is worth that.

**JP4CY** · 04-28-2009, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

Not much to brag about here in Des Moines or even Iowa in General. When I lived in wisconsin, there were many, many micros. CO as well had micros gallore. Des Moines options tend to be chains. All in all, it doesn't really matter as long as it is good.

On a side note, I once bought a draft of a Court Ave brew while waiting for my plane at the airport bar and it cost me about 7.50 for a pint. No beer is worth that.

Des Moines has an airport bar?

**CyinCo** · 04-28-2009, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by johnpkelly81

Des Moines has an airport bar?

Yeah. Its called the "Capital Pub" or something like that.

No point other than when you are early for a flight. It isn't like people lay over in Des Moines.

**JP4CY** · 04-28-2009, 04:11 PM

I've heard from some people that the Granite isn't made in house?

**DaddyMac** · 04-28-2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by johnpkelly81

LOVE the John's Grocery Amana - I get that at 212 all the time.
ICubs have Granite on tap?

Granite - I don't think so. CABC seems to be some kind of sponsor - hence the Iowa "Oaks" beer (former name of the team back in the 80's.

They used to have Millstream - but I haven't seen that yet. I know they have Fat Tire and Boulevard.

I'm an Amber Boch drinker and don't get much else - so not much of a help.

212 is good as well. What's the other - Johnny's Welsh Ale or something like that? A Belgian?

**DaddyMac** · 04-28-2009, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

Yeah. Its called the "Capital Pub" or something like that.

No point other than when you are early for a flight. It isn't like people lay over in Des Moines.

It's there - when it's open. Which seems to be some other time than when I'm flying.

Originally Posted by johnpkelly81

I've heard from some people that the Granite isn't made in house?

Don't know - but the have the vats visible on the south wall, I believe.

**MoreCowbell** · 04-28-2009, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by CyinCo

Not much to brag about here in Des Moines or even Iowa in General. When I lived in wisconsin, there were many, many micros. CO as well had micros gallore. Des Moines options tend to be chains. All in all, it doesn't really matter as long as it is good.

The hub has a dream of someday becoming a small-batch brewer, growing everything -- including the hops -- himself. We'll see if that ever happens.

There's a pretty good brewery in Peoria where you can actually go and brew your own beer. The hub has done it four times, I think, and all the ones they've done have been pretty solid. It's a good way to spend two weekends anyway - one to brew and then another 5-6 weeks later to bottle.