Iowa Brewery top 10 2017
- Thread starter dmclone
- Start date
Confluence doesn't even get a mention????
Fake news.
Fake news.
no Confluence? They were far superior to Madhouse and Exile when I was still in Iowa.
It will be interesting to see how the TG brewery & taproom will do and if they will keep the old tap room.
It will be interesting to see how the TG brewery & taproom will do and if they will keep the old tap room.
Madhouse has some really good stuff and also some really not so good stuff. Odd to see them that high.
TG is able to keep their current taproom open once they open up the new one. They are actually bottling and canning at the new facility right now. Last I heard, plans are to open up the new taproom by February. I was able to tour the building recently and it is impressive to say the least.
Tried exile for the first time a couple weeks ago, and I really wasn't impressed. Most of their beers are really watered down. Not a whole lot of body to them.
Have you tried their beers like Carpe Diem, AM Haze, El Jefe, etc.?
I haven't - maybe they've improved since I have last tried. Their flagship IPA is mediocre at best.
THIS!!!
I've had Dirty Loral Secret and Drugstore Cowboy. Both were excellent. These guys and Barn Town are my new hits of 2018.
Confluence doesn't make beers that drive the beer geeks crazy, but they're really damn good.
Pulpit
TG
Alluvial
515
Singlespeed
Confluence
Big Grove
Lionbridge
Barn Town
Exile
Franklin Street is pushing the conversation. West O makes really competent beer but hasn't done anything new. Madhouse has amazing sours and big stouts, but neglects regular styles. Will be interesting to see how TG's expansion goes. If they close the College Drive location, they will be relying on weekends and beer tourism for taproom sales. Pulpit has surpassed TG for me, and I don't see that changing with the current trajectory. Their beers and focus are more my style, it's run by better people, and the location is a winner. TG makes really damn good beer, and having Iowa brewed Sue cans will be awesome.
Look out for Pivo in Calmar, next year. They opened Thanksgiving week and hit the ground running with some really solid beer right out the gate. Solid facility, and a good model.
Pulpit
TG
Alluvial
515
Singlespeed
Confluence
Big Grove
Lionbridge
Barn Town
Exile
Franklin Street is pushing the conversation. West O makes really competent beer but hasn't done anything new. Madhouse has amazing sours and big stouts, but neglects regular styles. Will be interesting to see how TG's expansion goes. If they close the College Drive location, they will be relying on weekends and beer tourism for taproom sales. Pulpit has surpassed TG for me, and I don't see that changing with the current trajectory. Their beers and focus are more my style, it's run by better people, and the location is a winner. TG makes really damn good beer, and having Iowa brewed Sue cans will be awesome.
Look out for Pivo in Calmar, next year. They opened Thanksgiving week and hit the ground running with some really solid beer right out the gate. Solid facility, and a good model.
I would rank Twisted Vine above many on the list (Madhouse, Exile). Great beers in many varieties although I’m partial to the West Town IPA.
I think that Exile is very overrated; their core beers are very ho-hum, like 2/10. But their specialty ones can be pretty good, more of an 8/10.
Confluence is solid all around, but they don't have any sexy beers, just good beer, at good prices, and very well distributed. If you can just go buy it at a store without knowing the secret knock or taking a day off work, it isn't worth drinking
I really like Barn Town, but I've only been once. But I tried probably 3 or 4 beers and they were all really good.
Alluvial is outstanding, in my opinion. I wish they distro'd
Confluence is solid all around, but they don't have any sexy beers, just good beer, at good prices, and very well distributed. If you can just go buy it at a store without knowing the secret knock or taking a day off work, it isn't worth drinking
I really like Barn Town, but I've only been once. But I tried probably 3 or 4 beers and they were all really good.
Alluvial is outstanding, in my opinion. I wish they distro'd
I was surprised with Exile. Their last few beers I got at Hy-Vee were forgettable. Lion's Bridge easily blows them away.
