The best brewery in Iowa is Peace Tree. Close second is Toppling Goliath. Best beer is Hop Wrangler from Peace Tree and that is not close. That beer would compete anywhere.
Best/Favorite Iowa Beer
- Thread starter StClone
- Start date
IMO Toppling Goliath is the best brewery in Iowa by a strong margin and its on par with Surly or New Glarus for best in the region. All of their beers are above 95 on BeerAdvocate.
For those in eastern iowa, I heard Millstream Brewing Company out of Amana has really good beer.
If no one has tried a beer from Exile, I recommend it. "Hannah" and "GiGi" are some of the greatest Iowa Craft beers I've had.
They aren't bad but they are a little over rated and cost more than they should. I think they charge around $6+tax for what they call "half liter." The name may sound big but its a thimble more than a pint. I think a lot of people don't realize that.
I personally think Confluence has better beer.
At Exile itself they charge $5 a pint, $6 for half liter, and $2 for a "sixer" which is a six ounce sampler. Also every Sunday is half off beer day. Hard to beat $3 half liters of pretty solid craft beer. And remember Exile is only a year old. They are still getting their feet wet. I really expect great things from them.
You are kind of proving my point:
$5 for 16oz
$6 for 16.9oz
$6 for 18oz (if doing sampler method)
To me that pricing system doesn't make sense, especially two different glass sizes that are less than an ounce difference?
Maybe I expect a little more from a Latin King family, and while I think the beers are OK, I'm just not blown away with any of them.
It's Tursi ran, so the business is ran very well and has great service. I'm also a HUGE German beer fan, so I may like them a little more than the avg beer drinker. Every beer they have is a German style of some sort.
Confluence and 515 are both superior to Exile, IMO. Exile doesn't do much for me beer-wise, but their food is great.
I live in the city where O'SO is brewed and I know one of the owners. I guess familiarity breeds contempt as I am not a big fan of them or Central Waters which is in the next town over. BUT! Point Beer here (Yes three breweries within 12 miles of each other) is my favorite. On tap Point Special and 2012 get me going. I will say Night Train by O'SO is good and gets good Beer Advocate scores.
Ditto on 515 and Confluence. I'm a big fan of both. I've been digging the Black IPA at confluence and had a really tasty Belgium Abbey at 515 a month or two back among other good beers.
Personally, I'm not sold yet on New Glarus. Their beers seem too light for me (from the half dozen different ones I've tried). Everyone raves about Spotted Cow and it just doesn't do it for me. I do like the MM Pale Ale. I really like Potosi!!! Lake Louie is another good one IMO from WI.
Personally, I'm not sold yet on New Glarus. Their beers seem too light for me (from the half dozen different ones I've tried). Everyone raves about Spotted Cow and it just doesn't do it for me. I do like the MM Pale Ale. I really like Potosi!!! Lake Louie is another good one IMO from WI.
Kind of what I was wondering as well. He didn't really respond to my points.
I used to consult Beer Advocate often then disisted and seem happier experiencing without foreknowledge. Looking at the ratings now Topping Goliath is considered "World Class." None of my local WI three have that high of rating! Toppling Goliath Brewing Company - Decorah, IA - Beers - BeerAdvocate
Confluence seems to be one I will have while eating at Jethro's.
Spotted Cow was a new taste (cream ale) 10-12 years ago and newer beers have overtaken it with distinct flavors. When I drink Spotted Cow alone it still is good but next to something like Psuedo Sue (american ale) by Toppling Goliaths you can see where things get interesting.
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