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13 Best Breweries In Des Moines You Need To Visit
Looking for the Best Breweries in Des Moines, Iowa? Look no further, as we have you covered!
We’ve embarked on a frothy journey across the nation in search of the perfect pint, and boy, have we found a cornucopia of craft brewing delight in the heart of Des Moines.
From quirky sours to robust stouts, this city is buzzing with beer-illiant experiences sure to tickle your taste buds!
We’ve bottled up our experiences, uncorked our wisdom, and poured out our insights to give you an excellent guide to the best brews in town.
From Big Grove’s sprawling beer gardens to Exile’s tale-infused tipples, and Barn Town’s farm-to-table fare, we’ve left no beer mat unturned.
So please pull up a stool, raise a glass, and join us on this hop-tastic adventure through Des Moines.
Best Breweries In Des Moines
If you are going to be traveling through Iowa, Dubuque has some great breweries as well that we can’t recommend enough!
But you probably aren’t here for that, so let’s get straight to it and talk about the best breweries in Des Moines, a city brimming with pint-sized pleasures and hop-filled happiness!
Please note that the following sudsy selections are listed in no particular order and represent a lovingly brewed blend of personal tasting adventures and meticulous research; so while your favorite alehouse may vary, these are the breweries that have tapped into our hearts!
1. 515 Brewing Co
Most Popular Beer: Passé
Highest Rated Beer: Unholy Trinity
Step into 515 Brewing Co., and you’ll find a lively and laid-back haven for craft beer enthusiasts in Des Moines.
With its warm, welcoming vibes and a tempting array of innovative brews, 515 has carved a niche in the vibrant Iowa beer scene.
515 Brewing Co. has a “feel at home” philosophy that makes them stand out.
They encourage patrons to bring their own food, transforming a visit into a picnic-like experience with exceptional beers on tap.
Whether it’s a pizza from your favorite spot, a homemade sandwich, or a selection of local cheese, you’re invited to complement your chosen brew with your preferred bites.
Furthermore, 515’s regular events, including trivia nights and beer launches, contribute to an engaging, community-oriented atmosphere.
At 515 Brewing Co., the brews are outstanding, the liberty to bring your own food is refreshing, and the friendly spirit is infectious!
2. Confluence Brewing Co
Most Popular Beer: Des Moines IPA
Highest Rated Beer: Batch 1387 Hazy Double IPA
Pouring creativity and passion into every pint, Confluence Brewing Co truly stands as a testament to the thriving craft beer scene in Des Moines.
Since its establishment, Confluence has been unifying craft beer aficionados with its diverse, flavor-packed offerings from its taproom along the beautiful bike trail in Gray’s Lake Park.
What makes Confluence Brewing Co. truly distinctive isn’t just their impressive brews; it’s their commitment to the community.
Named after the convergence of the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, Confluence Brewing symbolizes a meeting point, not just of waters, but of people, cultures, and ideas.
They take pride in being integral to local events, fundraising initiatives, and community-building efforts.
So, whether you’re an IPA lover, a stout connoisseur, or new to the world of craft beer, a visit to Confluence Brewing Co. is sure to brew up a unique, enriching, and delicious experience!
3. Twisted Vine Brewery
Most Popular Beer: Westown IPA
Highest Rated Beer: Coconut Blonde
Welcome to Twisted Vine Brewery, a hidden gem tucked away in Des Moines’ craft beer landscape.
With its eclectic mix of traditional brews and adventurous, experimental concoctions, Twisted Vine promises an unforgettable experience for all beer lovers.
What sets Twisted Vine Brewery apart isn’t just their stellar brews – it’s their commitment to craftsmanship and community.
Housed in a 15,000-square-foot facility, the brewery features a spacious taproom, perfect for gatherings and good times, and its brewery tours offer a fascinating look into the art of beer making.
Moreover, they even encourage patrons to bring their furry friends along! The dog-friendly patio ensures that even your four-legged companions can partake in the fun.
So here’s to Twisted Vine Brewery, where the beers are bold, the vibes are friendly, and every visit is a unique adventure!
4. Peace Tree Brewing Co
Most Popular Beer: Blonde Fatale
Highest Rated Beer: Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Wander into Peace Tree Brewing Co, an award-winning brewery where creativity blossoms in every glass and every sip tells a story.
Located in the historic East Village of Des Moines, Peace Tree is known for its dedication to high-quality brews, an adventurous spirit, and a convivial community vibe.
Peace Tree sets itself apart by focusing on brewing fantastic beers and fostering a sense of community.
They invite patrons to bring their own food, ensuring you can always pair your favorite Peace Tree pint with your favorite meal. Whether it’s a homemade feast, carry-out from a beloved local restaurant, or even a simple snack, you can enjoy it at Peace Tree.
Add to that their eclectic events, including yoga classes and live music, and you’ve got a place that is more than just a brewery.
Peace Tree Brewing Co. is a neighborhood hangout, a haven for craft beer lovers, and a testament to the friendly spirit of Des Moines.
So, come for the beer and stay for the camaraderie!
5. Uptown Garage Brewing Co
Most Popular Beer: Juicy Wagon
Highest Rated Beer: Three On the Tree
Nestled in the heart of Ankeny, a vibrant suburb of Des Moines, Uptown Garage is renowned for its inventive brews and unique, car-themed ambiance.
The uniqueness of Uptown Garage Brewing Co. isn’t just their remarkable brews—it’s their unique atmosphere. Oh, and that they have the longest bar in Des Moines!
Housed in a former auto dealership, the taproom sports a stylish, car-themed décor that pays homage to its roots, creating a unique backdrop for your beer-tasting adventure.
With its intriguing beers, striking setting, and ambiance that’s as inviting as it is unique, Uptown Garage Brewing Co. delivers an experience that’s simply in a league of its own.
6. Firetrucker Brewery
Most Popular Beer: Burnout Brown
Highest Rated Beer: Acova Black Walnut Ale
All aboard the Firetrucker Brewery, where the spirit of innovation is as fiery as the name suggests!
Housed in a historic fire station in the heart of Ankeny, just outside of Des Moines, Firetrucker crafts unique brews that ignite the palate and fuel the soul.
The Burnout Brown, their most beloved brew, embodies Firetrucker’s creative spirit. With its rich, toasty malt profile and a subtle hint of smoky sweetness, this brown ale is an homage to traditional brewing with a modern twist, winning accolades and fans nationwide.
What truly sparks interest about Firetrucker is its commitment to being a vibrant community hub.
The brewery encourages patrons to bring their food to pair with their refreshing pints.
Plus, on select days, you’ll find local food vendors setting up shop outside the brewery, offering an array of mouth-watering cuisine that perfectly complements Firetrucker’s eclectic beer selection.
Firetrucker Brewery transforms every visit into a feast for the senses with its remarkable brews, welcoming atmosphere, and diverse food options.
It’s a place where the past and present collide, resulting in a uniquely captivating craft beer experience that’s sure to ignite your taste buds and imagination!
7. Brightside Aleworks
Most Popular Beer: Cran-Orange Wheat
Highest Rated Beer: Desert Island Playlist
Say hello to Brightside Aleworks, a friendly neighborhood microbrewery where sunshine pours into every glass, and each visit feels like a backyard BBQ with your best buddies.
Located in the heart of Altoona, just outside of Des Moines, Brightside has cultivated a welcoming, sunny atmosphere, making it a favorite hangout spot among locals and visitors alike.
One of the unique aspects of Brightside is its commitment to creating a sense of community.
They foster camaraderie over delightful beers and feature local food trucks on select days, bringing diverse culinary delights right to their taproom’s doorstep.
These pop-up experiences and Brightside’s top-notch brews make every visit a joyous foodie adventure.
Beyond beer, Brightside Aleworks is a destination for good times and good company.
It’s a place where you can kick back, enjoy a great pint, indulge in mouth-watering food truck fare, and soak up the bright side of life.
Best Des Moines Breweries With Food
With over 50% of adults in the U.S. living within 10 miles of a brewery, it’s time to explore the best breweries in Des Moines that tantalize the taste buds with their innovative brews and their delicious food offerings!
8. Lua Brewing
Most Popular Beer: Sun For Miles
Highest Rated Beer: Again Topped
Join us at Lua Brewing, where passion meets the pint, and every brew is a carefully crafted masterpiece.
This microbrewery, tucked away in the heart of Des Moines, is renowned for its imaginative beers, mouthwatering food, and vibrant atmosphere that brings to life the true spirit of craft brewing.
This brewery is not only a personal favorite for us but is one of the best breweries in Des Moines based on user ratings. So you definitely can’t go wrong with this one!
We recommend trying the Baby Blue Sedan Sour.
With its beautiful balance of tartness and fruitiness, this beer truly dances on your palate. Its complex flavor profile, featuring a hint of blueberry, invites you to savor each sip and enjoy the ride!
Regarding food, Lua goes above and beyond typical brewery fare.
Their ever-evolving menu features fresh, locally-sourced ingredients fashioned into delectable dishes like gourmet sandwiches, salads, and artisanal cheese boards.
Each item is designed to complement their brews, making for an outstanding culinary experience.
What sets Lua Brewing apart is its commitment to creating an authentic, community-centered experience.
Their stylish, art-filled taproom is not just a place to drink beer but a lively meeting point for friends and family, for conversations and laughter, and for shared moments over shared meals.
So even if you always say, “I don’t like beer,” this is still a fun atmosphere to sit with friends for an evening.
Lua Brewing is not just a brewery but a place where memories are made, one sip, one bite, one smile at a time.
9. Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co
Most Popular Beer: Honest Lawyer IPA
Highest Rated Beer: Snooze Button
Step into Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co. (CABCo), a stalwart of the Des Moines craft beer scene and the city’s oldest brewpub.
With a delightful blend of rich history, exceptional brews, and savory cuisine, CABCo offers an experience that’s as comforting as captivating.
But it’s not just the beer that takes center stage at CABCo. Their menu, filled with delicious offerings, is a major draw in its own right.
Whether you’re tucking into their signature CABCo Burger, loaded with cheddar and all the trimmings, or savoring their crispy beer-battered fish and chips, you’ll find dishes that pair perfectly with your pint.
Unique to CABCo is its vibrant atmosphere, steeped in Des Moines’ history.
The brewery is housed in a beautifully restored warehouse dating back to 1881, creating an environment that’s both modern and rustic and filled with character.
CABCo is more than just a brewpub. It’s a place where the love of craft beer and hearty food come together, all set against a backdrop of history and charm.
This sense of connection to its past and its outstanding offerings make a visit to Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co a truly unique and memorable experience.
10. Kinship Brewing Co
Most Popular Beer: Dear Annie,
Highest Rated Beer: Dear Annie,
Nestled in the heart of Waukee, a bustling suburb of Des Moines, you’ll find Kinship Brewing Co., a shining beacon in the city’s thriving craft beer scene.
With its refreshing brews, tasty bites, and inviting ambiance, Kinship embodies its name, fostering a strong sense of community and camaraderie among its patrons.
The experience at Kinship Brewing Co. doesn’t stop at the bottom of your glass.
Their food is equally noteworthy, with a menu that showcases local, seasonal ingredients in creative and mouth-watering ways.
The artisan flatbreads, loaded with gourmet toppings, are a standout, as are their hearty and healthy grain bowls, ensuring there’s something delicious for every palate.
What sets Kinship apart, however, is its commitment to fostering a true ‘kinship’ among its patrons.
The brewery features a beautifully landscaped outdoor area complete with a walking path and a dog park, encouraging visitors to relax, explore, and connect in a genuinely unique way.
11. Exile Brewing Co
Most Popular Beer: Ruthie
Highest Rated Beer: Jesus On A Forklift
Wander into Exile Brewing Co, an enchanting brewery in downtown Des Moines, where every visit feels like a mini vacation.
Exile combines the charm of Old World brewing with a touch of American creativity, resulting in an array of delightful beers and an ambiance that is irresistibly inviting.
But Exile Brewing Co. is not just a beer lover’s paradise.
The food menu is equally enthralling, featuring an array of delectable dishes that complement their brews perfectly.
Indulge in their mouthwatering burgers, like the Exile Burger with Havarti cheese, caramelized onions, and house sauce, or choose their beer-infused brats that elevate the classic pub fare to gourmet status.
What makes Exile genuinely unique is the story woven into its very fabric.
Each of their beers is named after and inspired by people exiled throughout history, infusing a touch of narrative into every glass.
Their beautifully adorned taproom, complete with a mural of the brewery’s story, further adds to the allure, making your time at Exile more than just a visit.
Exile Brewing Co. is where history, story-telling, culinary delights, and exceptional brews converge, offering an immersive experience that will captivate you from the first sip to the last bite.
12. Big Grove Brewery & Taproom
Most Popular Beer: Easy Eddy
Highest Rated Beer: Richard the Whale
Enter the world of Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, a dynamic craft beer haven where each location is a unique adventure.
With outposts in Solon, Iowa City, and Des Moines, and a new addition on the horizon, Big Grove is spreading its roots and passion for craft beer across the state.
It’s not just their diverse beer offerings that make Big Grove a standout.
Their food is equally compelling, with a menu that boasts a variety of inspired dishes designed to enhance your beer experience.
You’ll find deliciously inventive fare from their savory Brewpub Burger to their unique and flavorful pizzas.
Big Grove’s unique proposition lies in its thoughtful approach to each location.
Every taproom has its own distinct vibe and features, be it the inviting beer garden in Solon, the bustling city energy in Iowa City, or the hip, modern feel of Des Moines.
This attention to local character means that each visit to a Big Grove location offers a new and engaging experience.
As Big Grove Brewery & Taproom grows, it remains committed to its founding principles: brewing fantastic beer, serving great food, and creating spaces where communities can come together.
13. Barn Town Brewing
Most Popular Beer: Neon Hazy IPA
Highest Rated Beer: Big Frooty #21
The spirit of the American heartland is brought to life in every sip and every bite at Barn Town Brewing.
Located in bustling West Des Moines, Barn Town is renowned for its farm-fresh approach to both brewing and cooking, offering a truly unique and delightful experience for all who visit.
The true essence of Barn Town is not just in its creative brews—it’s also in its remarkable food offerings.
Their menu is a vibrant showcase of farm-to-table dishes, including the crowd-pleasing Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, loaded with just the right amount of spice, and the Barn Town Mac and Cheese, a creamy, comforting delight.
Every plate is a testament to their commitment to fresh, local ingredients and culinary innovation.
The charm of Barn Town Brewing goes beyond the glass and the plate, however.
With its rustic decor, reminiscent of a classic American barn, and its welcoming community atmosphere, Barn Town is a warm, friendly slice of rural charm right in the heart of the city.
Barn Town Brewing offers more than just a visit to a brewery—it’s a taste of the heartland, a celebration of local produce, and a warm, inviting gathering place for all.
Des Moines Breweries Map
Feast your eyes on our carefully curated map, a veritable treasure trove marking the best craft breweries sprinkled across Des Moines.
From the heart of downtown to the bustling suburbs, this map is your golden ticket to a beer-tastic adventure, charting a course through the city’s vibrant brewery scene, one pint at a time.
Where To Stay To Visit Breweries In Des Moines, Iowa
Behold our handy list of accommodations perfectly positioned in Des Moines, an essential guide for those seeking to be within a hop, skip, and jump away from the city’s most exciting breweries.
Luxury: Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel
Welcome to the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel, a harmonious blend of historic charm and modern elegance.
This beautifully restored hotel, centrally located in downtown Des Moines, offers easy access to the city’s thriving brewery scene.
The rooms, adorned with sophisticated furnishings, offer comfort and convenience, while the hotel’s amenities, including a fitness center and a farm-to-table restaurant, ensure a memorable stay.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability for Renaissance Savery Hotel
Mid-Range: Hilton Des Moines Downtown
Discover the Hilton Des Moines Downtown, a contemporary oasis located in the vibrant heart of the city.
Offering sweeping views of the Des Moines skyline, this stylish hotel is a perfect base for your brewery adventures.
Each room is designed with comfort and relaxation in mind, featuring modern amenities and plush furnishings. Take a refreshing dip in the indoor pool, work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center, or enjoy local cuisine at their on-site restaurant.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability for Hilton Downtown
Budget: Residence Inn By Marriott Des Moines Downtown
Experience a home-away-from-home atmosphere at the Residence Inn by Marriott Des Moines Downtown.
Situated downtown, this all-suite hotel offers a comfortable and convenient stay for your brewery-hopping adventure.
Each spacious suite has a full kitchen, a work area, and a cozy living space. Enjoy the complimentary breakfast, swim in the indoor pool, or unwind during the evening social hours.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability for Residence Inn Downtown
FAQs For The Best Des Moines Breweries
Ready to embark on your Des Moines beer adventure but have a few questions brewing? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with our handy FAQ section!
How Many Breweries Are In The Des Moines Area?
What Is The Oldest Brewery In Iowa?
What Beer Is Iowa Known For?
What Is The Most Drank Beer In Iowa?
Good To The Last Drop – Best Breweries In Des Moines
And there you have it, beer enthusiasts!
We’ve journeyed together through the frothy landscape of the best breweries in Des Moines, unearthing hidden gems and rediscovering beloved classics.
Each destination offers a unique sip of what makes Des Moines a hop-tastic paradise for craft beer lovers. As you navigate this bubbling scene, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.
So, raise a glass, toast to new discoveries, and let the rich tapestry of Des Moines’ beer scene play out in your pint.
If you are traveling through Iowa and will be swinging through Iowa City as well, make sure to stop and enjoy one or two breweries there as well!
