When it comes to beer, maybe you love it. Maybe you're not sure. Or maybe you just haven't found your signature brew yet. With Iowa's burgeoning craft beer scene (nearly 40 new breweries have opened in Iowa in the last three years), discovering a beer perfect for your palate is easy. And a whole lot of fun.
You'll find all kinds of beers brewed in Iowa. Light lagers. Belgian-style wits with hints of coriander. Stouts with a smooth chocolate flavor. With a little work, you should be able to decipher what you enjoy fairly quickly. Fancy a flight? Many breweries offer beer flights so you can sample a variety of their brews. Start with lighter lagers and work your way up to bolder beers.
Step out of your comfort zone. Sour beers. Smoked beers. Wood-infused beers. Iowa brewers are creating some pretty wild stuff. If something stands out to you, try it. Sample some award-winning favorites from across the state:
Mexican Spring
515 Brewing Company, Clive
Winner of the Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival® 2016 in the Fruit Wheat Beer category.
Tragedy of the Commons
Iowa Brewing Company, Cedar Rapids
Winner of the Silver Medal at the Great American Beer Festival® 2016 for an American Style Amber in the Lager or Dark Lager categories.
Workman's Compensation & GAZPROM!
Lion Bridge Brewing Company, Cedar Rapids
Winner of the Gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival® 2016 in the English-Style Mild Ale category (Workman's Compensation) and Specialty Beer category (GAZPROM!).
Toppling Goliath Brewery, Decorah
Five beers on the Top Beers of the Year list by RateBeer, including Assassin, Kentucky Brunch, King Sue, Mornin' Delight and pseudoSue.
Explore more about Iowa's breweries here or download the Iowa Wine & Beer passport.
