Why DSM is Saying Cheers to Beer

According to Hop Culture, there are a few beer trends to keep an eye on this year that show how love for craft beer isn’t slowing any time soon. From people returning to taprooms, more inclusive drinking spaces and a growing non-alcoholic segment of drinkers of “hop water,” craft beer drinkers love trying something new and breweries and beer halls in Greater Des Moines (DSM) have a lot to offer these consumers.  

You can stop in at Paws & Pints in Des Moines with your dog, enjoy the dog park and pet-friendly events held throughout the year (like Family Day or Meetup Monday!). You might enjoy one of the beer-serving establishments along the region’s connected trails: Trailside Tap is located at the beginning of the High Trestle Trail in Ankeny and serves up beer, seltzer, wine, cocktails and more. Or tap into that liquid hug feeling and support a women-owned business by visiting Gezellig Brewing Co. in Newton. 

Are you ready to discover some not-to-miss regional taprooms? Check out the list below for more than 30 locations right here in DSM! And stay up-to-date on beer-related meanderings by following Iowa Brewers Guild, Des Moines Brewster (the five brewing companies he mentions on The Partnership blog are still highlights now!) and even signing up for the Iowa Wine and Beer Passport so you can discover new locations and support local. 

Breweries/Beer Halls/Microbreweries Around Des Moines

• 1st Down Brewing Co. (Located in Winterset)  
• 1717 Brewing Company (Located in the Historic East Village in Downtown DSM)  
• 515 Brewing Company (Located in Clive)  
• Backpocket Pin&pixel (Located in Johnston)  
• Barn Town Brewing (Located in West Des Moines)  
• Big Grove Brewery & Taproom (Located near Western Gateway in Downtown DSM)  
• Brightside Aleworks (Located in Altoona)  
• Confluence Brewing Company (Located in Des Moines)  
• Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Co. (Located in Historic Court District in Downtown DSM)  
• Exile Brewing Co. (Located near Western Gateway in Downtown DSM)  
• Fenders Brewing (Located in Polk City)  
• Firetrucker Brewery (Located in Ankeny)  
• Flix Brewhouse (Located in Des Moines)  
• Fox Brewing (Located in West Des Moines)  
• Gamble Block Brewery (Located in Perry)  
• Gezellig Brewing Co. (Located in Newton)  
• Grinnell Craft Brewhouse (Located in Grinnell)  
• Hessen Haus Brauen Pub (Located in the Historic Court District in Downtown DSM)  
• Kinship Brewing (Located in Waukee)  
• Lua Brewing (Located in the Sherman Hill neighborhood in Downtown DSM)  
• NoCoast Beer Co. (Located in Oskaloosa)  
• Peace Tree Brewing Co. (Located in the Historic East Village in Downtown DSM and in Knoxville)  
• Reclaimed Rails (Located in Bondurant)  
• The Beerhouse (Located in Urbandale)  
• The Cellar Peanut Pub (Located in Pella and in Newton)  
• The Hall (Located in West Des Moines)  
• The Iowa Tap Room (Located in the Historic East Village in Downtown DSM)  
• Trailside Tap (Located in Ankeny) 
• Twisted Vine Brewery (Located in the Historic East Village in Downtown DSM)  
• Uptown Garage Brewing Co. (Located in Ankeny)  
• West Hill Brewing Co. (Located in Indianola)  

Coming Soon: Single Speed Brewing will be located in the Historic East Village in Downtown DSM) and Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. will be located in Des Moines. 

Beer Events in Greater Des Moines

While there are plenty of breweries around DSM to keep you busy all year long, beer events in the region are another way to entertain your inner beerologist. Keep an eye out for these five beer events, and don’t forget that while they aren’t beer-centric events, the World Food & Music Festival in Downtown DSM offers specialty beer options in September, too! 

• Des Moines’ Annual Oktoberfest – annually in September in Historic Court District in Downtown DSM 
• Des Moines Biergarten – a pop-up feel at Water Works Park near Downtown DSM running May – fall  
• Iowa Craft Beer Tent – the Tent shows up at regional annual events, including Iowa Bike Expo, Hoops & Hops and Iowa State Fair 
• Iowa Craft Brew Festival – annually in June at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park in Downtown DSM
• Wine & Craft Beer Fest – annually in June at the Enabling Garden in Altoona  
• Wine, Food & Beer Showcase – annually in March in Downtown DSM; this event is the Des Moines Metro Opera’s signature fundraiser 

See What’s On Tap Here 

Greater Des Moines (DSM) is consistently named a top region to live and work and has earned bragging rights as the #1 mid-sized city for Millennials. Do something greater: See what’s on tap here to learn more. 

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