I'll start this by saying that I'm no longer going to try to keep up with what is going on in Iowa City/Coralville, so if anyone else wants to do a writeup on that area, have at it.
Cedar Rapids:
- Backpocket Pilot Pub - I visited this place twice when it first opened, and then again late last summer. By the late summer visit, their food standards had fallen and there was a very reduced (in offerings) food menu. Same things on tap. This pub was established to be a small brewery where Backpocket could have a few experimental offering (beer wise). Believe it has failed in that mission.
- Clocktower Brewery - apparently a back room bar at the very large 'Black Sheep Social Club' (a restaurant). As of this writing, they are in their infantcy and has just opened. I haven't visited, and know of no one who has, so cannot comment about the beer which is apparaently also available to those who dine at Black Sheep.
- Iowa Brewing Company - Their beers are much better than when they first opened. They are expanding their production and at this point is probably the largest production facility in Cedar Rapids.
- Lion Bridge Brewing - Though they have remained consistent and stable, they too are now adding more brewing capacity to their brewery. For a while, another brewer who has some local brewing cache was also using their facilities. I don't know if that alliance continues.
- Quarterbarrel Brewery - Their prices keep escalating, and while I found a beer of theirs that I felt was marginally good, it wasn't good enough to keep returning for. I think they still do sell a lot of their own beer. But it is hard to tell if they make their real money on their own beer; the large selection of beers that you probabally can't get anywhere else in Cedar Rapids; from their large collection of working old style arcade games; or from their overpriced and undersized food offerings.
- Third Base Brewery and Eatery - Though I have never liked most of their basic beers, they do continue to experiment and put out some very incredible beers. The latest is an Oatmeal Imperial Stout with a 13%Abv. Early samples tasted a lot like barley wine. Later samples have the oatmeal profile taking over.
- Turner Alley of course has been closed for a year +/-.
- Another Road Brewing (Marion). The Marion location where they spent a lot of money revitalizing an old building, is closed. My understanding is that there is still brewing happening at their Cedar Rapids brewing facility, but I don't know if that is under the Another Road name, or a contract to a more successful brewer, or is simply brewing being done by the former owners for their own consumption.
Solon
- Big Grove brewery soldiers on quite successfully in Solon Iowa, but has opened a quite successful location in Iowa City/Coralville.
- Stone City Brewing (always located in Solon) Is a brewery that was once active in Solon with a tasting room and brewery. Nearly every year since the closure of this brewery, its former owner/brewmaster has brewed his 'Aaahh Bock' at some eastern Iowa brewery. This year is no different. Both Iowa Brewing Company and Backpocket Brewing have invited him in to brew his beer, and to perform, 'The Blessing of the Bock' comedic ritual at their breweries. Saturday Feb 24 was the ritual at Iowa Brewing Company. I believe the ritual at Backpocket in Iowa City/Coralville is set for March (contact Backpocket).
Amana
- Millstream, the oldest brewery in Iowa, continues on mostly unchanged. Their increased capacity and new bottler have helped improve their product. They did purchase the Colony Inn last year. After a small remodel there, the restaurant is open again. The sample room at the brewery is also still open (in season).
Cedar Rapids:
- Backpocket Pilot Pub - I visited this place twice when it first opened, and then again late last summer. By the late summer visit, their food standards had fallen and there was a very reduced (in offerings) food menu. Same things on tap. This pub was established to be a small brewery where Backpocket could have a few experimental offering (beer wise). Believe it has failed in that mission.
- Clocktower Brewery - apparently a back room bar at the very large 'Black Sheep Social Club' (a restaurant). As of this writing, they are in their infantcy and has just opened. I haven't visited, and know of no one who has, so cannot comment about the beer which is apparaently also available to those who dine at Black Sheep.
- Iowa Brewing Company - Their beers are much better than when they first opened. They are expanding their production and at this point is probably the largest production facility in Cedar Rapids.
- Lion Bridge Brewing - Though they have remained consistent and stable, they too are now adding more brewing capacity to their brewery. For a while, another brewer who has some local brewing cache was also using their facilities. I don't know if that alliance continues.
- Quarterbarrel Brewery - Their prices keep escalating, and while I found a beer of theirs that I felt was marginally good, it wasn't good enough to keep returning for. I think they still do sell a lot of their own beer. But it is hard to tell if they make their real money on their own beer; the large selection of beers that you probabally can't get anywhere else in Cedar Rapids; from their large collection of working old style arcade games; or from their overpriced and undersized food offerings.
- Third Base Brewery and Eatery - Though I have never liked most of their basic beers, they do continue to experiment and put out some very incredible beers. The latest is an Oatmeal Imperial Stout with a 13%Abv. Early samples tasted a lot like barley wine. Later samples have the oatmeal profile taking over.
- Turner Alley of course has been closed for a year +/-.
- Another Road Brewing (Marion). The Marion location where they spent a lot of money revitalizing an old building, is closed. My understanding is that there is still brewing happening at their Cedar Rapids brewing facility, but I don't know if that is under the Another Road name, or a contract to a more successful brewer, or is simply brewing being done by the former owners for their own consumption.
Solon
- Big Grove brewery soldiers on quite successfully in Solon Iowa, but has opened a quite successful location in Iowa City/Coralville.
- Stone City Brewing (always located in Solon) Is a brewery that was once active in Solon with a tasting room and brewery. Nearly every year since the closure of this brewery, its former owner/brewmaster has brewed his 'Aaahh Bock' at some eastern Iowa brewery. This year is no different. Both Iowa Brewing Company and Backpocket Brewing have invited him in to brew his beer, and to perform, 'The Blessing of the Bock' comedic ritual at their breweries. Saturday Feb 24 was the ritual at Iowa Brewing Company. I believe the ritual at Backpocket in Iowa City/Coralville is set for March (contact Backpocket).
Amana
- Millstream, the oldest brewery in Iowa, continues on mostly unchanged. Their increased capacity and new bottler have helped improve their product. They did purchase the Colony Inn last year. After a small remodel there, the restaurant is open again. The sample room at the brewery is also still open (in season).