Best/Favorite Iowa Beer

[StClone]

I would like to tour a few Brew Pubs around Iowa this fall (to add to my BBQ sampling). In my limited experience with Iowa Beers, I thought Toppling Goliaths in Decorah was good and Main Street in Ames sort of average. Otherwise, I am wide open to suggestions especially in NW Iowa down to Council Bluffs then going east either side of I-80 to Ames and on into NE Iowa. Where's the good suds?

 

[CYclist]

My favorite so far has been Peace Tree in Knoxville. Don't forget Twisted Vine Brewery, on the grounds of the Madison County Winery near St. Charles. Good stuff at both places. I have one of these trips planned soon too, so can't wait to see all the responses.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Here is the list of breweries in Iowa. I like most that I've tried from Great River Brewery, but have not toured the brewery. Iowa Craft Beer Tent

 

[CYCLNST8]

The correct answer on this board is "Clone Ale" from Olde Main. /thread

cool:

 

[ISUME]

Here is the list of breweries in Iowa. I like most that I've tried from Great River Brewery, but have not toured the brewery. Iowa Craft Beer Tent

Great River is a couple of blocks from Front Street Brewery, both have some good beers on tap. You get a discount at Great River when the bridge span is open.

 

[sunnysideup]

The correct answer on this board is "Clone Ale" from Olde Main. /thread

cool:

Not by taste...

 

[Wesley]

Not by taste...

Better than Hawkeye Stout

 

[Al_4_State]

I'll go by style:

IPA: Toppling Goliath Zeelander
Black IPA: Confluence Thomas Beck
Pale Ale: Toppling Goliath Psuedo Sue
Stout: Olde Main Sodbuster
Blonde lager: Backpocket Gold Coin
Dark lager: Backpocket Slingshot
Porter: Peace Tree Rye Porter
Belgian White: Millstream John's
Red Ale: Peace Tree Red Rambler
Belgian Blonde: Great River Dirty Blonde Chocolate Ale

Overall, I'd give the nod to Psuedo Sue from Toppling Goliath.

 

[ISUME]

I'll go by style:

IPA: Toppling Goliath Zeelander
Black IPA: Confluence Thomas Beck
Pale Ale: Toppling Goliath Psuedo Sue
Stout: Olde Main Sodbuster
Blonde lager: Backpocket Gold Coin
Dark lager: Backpocket Slingshot
Porter: Peace Tree Rye Porter
Belgian White: Millstream John's
Red Ale: Peace Tree Red Rambler
Belgian Blonde: Great River Dirty Blonde Chocolate Ale

Overall, I'd give the nod to Psuedo Sue from Toppling Goliath.

Half Dirty Blonde Chocolate Ale and Half 483 is a good mix at Great River.

 

[Clonebydesign]

oh now were blending

 

[ISUME]

oh now were blending

I didn't really like the Dirty Blonde, the bartender mixed it up and I liked it.

 

[Cybyassociation]

Confluence's Des Moines IPA is pretty solid. A lotta sweet citrus and fruit coming off of that one if you like sweeter IPAs. TG is probably the "best" brewery in Iowa. Once they get moved into their new brewery and have a consistent stream of beer coming out, I'll be a lot more happy. The guy doing nano batches in Mason City supposedly has some awesome stuff coming out of his taps. 515 in Clive is pretty solid too. I really liked their berliner and their OJIPA was pretty decent. Its a pretty good time to be a beer drinker in Iowa.

 

[ketchupnmustard]

Peace Tree: Black River Gumbo. Love that stuff.

 

[Clones21]

Exile Hannah. A German style hefeweizen. Good stuff.

 

[BlackHawk]

Haven't tried a lot of them, but the ones I have are far from impressive. Iowa just doesn't have very many good craft beers. Having recently moved to WI this fact has become even more evident. If anyone gets a chance, Rush River brewery is phenomenal. It's sold in Eau Claire area and near the twin cities. All their brews are delish.

 

[ianoconnor]

Haven't tried a lot of them, but the ones I have are far from impressive. Iowa just doesn't have very many good craft beers. Having recently moved to WI this fact has become even more evident. If anyone gets a chance, Rush River brewery is phenomenal. It's sold in Eau Claire area and near the twin cities. All their brews are delish.

That's just flat-out false.

 

[Cybyassociation]

Haven't tried a lot of them, but the ones I have are far from impressive. Iowa just doesn't have very many good craft beers. Having recently moved to WI this fact has become even more evident. If anyone gets a chance, Rush River brewery is phenomenal. It's sold in Eau Claire area and near the twin cities. All their brews are delish.

I've only seen Heart Condition, but I think Denzel Washington is a sub par actor.

Come on, man.

 

[ty4cy90]

If you're looking for breweries in NW Iowa, two in Okoboji have opened recently. Okoboji Brewing Company had a pretty good Farmhouse Ale that I liked but I have heard mixed reviews on quality. West O brewery has a pretty cool set up and atmosphere, but I only tried one of their beers. It seems like more people prefer West O.

 

[Al_4_State]

Haven't tried a lot of them, but the ones I have are far from impressive. Iowa just doesn't have very many good craft beers. Having recently moved to WI this fact has become even more evident. If anyone gets a chance, Rush River brewery is phenomenal. It's sold in Eau Claire area and near the twin cities. All their brews are delish.

I've had a lot of Rush River beer. It's solid, but there are 3 or 4 breweries in Iowa that are better.

New Glarus, Central Waters, and O'So are far and away the top Sconnie breweries. Ale Asylum is probably the most overrated brewery I've ever encountered.

515 is a great brewery. Between it and Confluence, Des Moines has really upped its game in the craft beer scene.

 

[BlackHawk]

I've had a lot of Rush River beer. It's solid, but there are 3 or 4 breweries in Iowa that are better.

New Glarus, Central Waters, and O'So are far and away the top Sconnie breweries. Ale Asylum is probably the most overrated brewery I've ever encountered.

515 is a great brewery. Between it and Confluence, Des Moines has really upped its game in the craft beer scene.

Have you tried their Uber Alt? Super tasty for being 9.5%. Their Double Bubble is also really good. New Glarus is a given. Moon Man is definitely in my top 10. Not a huge fan of Central Waters. Like Capitol out of Madison. O'So is very good as well. Just tried White Cap from Green Bay Brewing Company. Very good White IPA. Haven't tried the 2 breweries you mentioned, but others like Millstream and Peace Tree are pretty mediocre IMO.