Tap Rooms Iowa
- Thread starter dmclone
- Start date
Mildly concerned about that. I feel like when they announced a brewery would be part of it, they thought they had a done deal.
I don’t think it had to be TG by any stretch, but getting a quality Iowa brewery in there is crucial to this working, IMO.
And I suspect the AD agrees. They don’t highlight it if not
A quick-ish google maps search of the DSM area shows me that central Iowa is a bit late to the craft distillery scene that is becoming a major competitor to brewery tap rooms. I would LOVE to have a decent distillery in CyTown, and would prefer that over most brewery tap rooms including TG.
Right, but for comparison's sake, Madison (almost identical in size to DSM) has 9 distilleries in or near it. I'm also noticing bourbon, gin, and other small batch spirits taking over more and more shelf space in bars. A lot of craft beer drinkers are switching to liquor as they age and their tastes evolve. Or, like me, desperately need to cut calories and carbs without cutting alcohol out.
A good distillery would be great, but a brew pub is just a different beast and could really anchor that space.
It's a GREAT location but when you've got PT right across the street, that's a yikes.
I actually think The Taproom right down the street where you can get beer from many different Iowa breweries hurt them more than PT.
I love the distilleries way more than breweries. I’m not a big beer fan. Each on likes to create their own drinks so you can get some really fun ones. Many times though I’m doing a bourbon 7 or bourbon and sprite. Nice part is, the wife won’t drink beer so she likes to hit them also. Hit up the one in clear lake often.
They also try to keep it as local as possible so most of their beers are from local breweries also.
Oh definitely. I just more if you’re in the “I want to go to a brewery mood.”
I love the building/garage doors of it, hope something fun goes in.
Lately I’ve had some good cocktails at Coa a couple blocks away. That would have been a good spot for them.
1717 Brewing Co. is permanently closing its Des Moines taproom
The owners said they loved meeting and serving people in East Village on East Court Avenue.
www.kcci.com
I stopped at 1717 once and wasn't terribly impressed. It struck me as the kind of place that might have worked if it didn't have much competition, but with Peace Tree across the street and Iowa Tap Room a couple blocks away, that wasn't going to be the case.
I like distilleries a lot too, and my tastes have been gravitating that direction. We go to Harmony Distilling (Harmony MN) and Rockfilter in Spring Grove MN frequently. I didn't know Clear Lake had a distillery. Going to have to check that out.
I just haven't been to many (any) distilleries that have as much of a "something for everyone" and sports bar/gathering space feel/food options that good brew pubs do.
Distilleries are a great place to get a drink. Brew pubs feel like a better place to hang out before a game.
You must not be too far from my neck of the woods. Harmony is a nice spot for a drink, but the actual liquid is just ok. Rock Filter is outstanding. Love their products, drinks, and venue. I'd also suggest La Crosse Distilling Co. The liquid is hit or miss, but very good cocktails, outstanding food, and a nice venue.
But you're right, distilleries almost always have a snootier air about them than brew pubs, and they don't mesh well with the typical gameday vibe.
I've been to La Crosse Distilling probably 5-6 times. It's a nice venue and I agree that the cocktails are good. Definitely a little pricier. I really like their pickle Pilsner beer, actually.
I live in the Cresco/Decorah area. Nearly equal distance to La Crosse, Rochester, or Waterloo/CF for "city" things.
La Crosse is my favorite of those places to hang out by a mile. In the summer I take my mountain bike up a few times and ride up to the top of Hixon forest, come down Grandad's, etc. A couple times a year we'll get a hotel downtown and just have a party night. Love La Crosse.
Clear lake has regular seating, back patio, front patio and rooftop seating. Just off city park. Drinks, appetizers, games like what you would have at tailgating in the back and top. Little of everything.