Des Moines-New Taprooms

baller21

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My guess, absolutely not happening. "Big" craft beer is in freefall right now.
Ehh, Barn Town, Lua, Big Grove and Confluence don’t seem to be having any problems packing the house every weekend so I doubt TG would either. I’m guessing they’re just having some sort of construction delays. Haven’t drove through the drake neighborhood lately to see if they’ve even started yet.
 

dmclone

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Ehh, Barn Town, Lua, Big Grove and Confluence don’t seem to be having any problems packing the house every weekend so I doubt TG would either. I’m guessing they’re just having some sort of construction delays. Haven’t drove through the drake neighborhood lately to see if they’ve even started yet.
Well they said it wouldn't be done until 2025, so I'm not shocked we haven't heard a lot.
 

Al_4_State

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Ehh, Barn Town, Lua, Big Grove and Confluence don’t seem to be having any problems packing the house every weekend so I doubt TG would either. I’m guessing they’re just having some sort of construction delays. Haven’t drove through the drake neighborhood lately to see if they’ve even started yet.
And it’s just a taproom, not a production brewery.
 

alarson

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And it’s just a taproom, not a production brewery.

I think they were planning on brewing some beer there, but obviously nowhere near what their main facility produces, sounded like mostly unique stuff for the des moines location (500-1000 barrels)
 

Al_4_State

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I think they were planning on brewing some beer there, but obviously nowhere near what their main facility produces, sounded like mostly unique stuff for the des moines location (500-1000 barrels)
Right. It’s going to be a neighborhood brew pub, basically. Those kinds of places still work
 

Saul_T

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Ehh, Barn Town, Lua, Big Grove and Confluence don’t seem to be having any problems packing the house every weekend so I doubt TG would either. I’m guessing they’re just having some sort of construction delays. Haven’t drove through the drake neighborhood lately to see if they’ve even started yet.
None of these expanded with the hopes of growing into a national company the way TG did. Barn Town/Lua/Big Grove have the working template, local hubs offering more than just beer. Confluence is more of a New Glarus IMO, serving as a production brewery for this state and not expanding beyond that. A local TG hub could definitely be successful, but as a whole, TG is not selling the beer they need to be selling for the destination brewery they built. Therefore, I don't see it being viable to expand to a second taproom.
 

Messi

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None of these expanded with the hopes of growing into a national company the way TG did. Barn Town/Lua/Big Grove have the working template, local hubs offering more than just beer. Confluence is more of a New Glarus IMO, serving as a production brewery for this state and not expanding beyond that. A local TG hub could definitely be successful, but as a whole, TG is not selling the beer they need to be selling for the destination brewery they built. Therefore, I don't see it being viable to expand to a second taproom.
good post

not to turn this into a CyTown debate thread but bolded part gives me concern for the rumored taproom/brewery allegedly planned out
 

Saul_T

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good post

not to turn this into a CyTown debate thread but bolded part gives me concern for the rumored taproom/brewery allegedly planned out
I don't think it should. Most of the breweries in Iowa still are regional/local breweries which don't seem to have been hit nearly as bad as larger breweries. Yeah, Lua has great food and excellent beer, but most of the people who are going there are locals/young folks just coming to socialize. Same with Big Grove who has been really successful building neighborhood hubs.
 
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Messi

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I don't think it should. Most of the breweries in Iowa still are regional/local breweries which don't seem to have been hit nearly as bad as larger breweries. Yeah, Lua has great food and excellent beer, but most of the people who are going there are locals/young folks just coming to socialize. Same with Big Grove who has been really successful building neighborhood hubs.
big grove woud be my number 1 pick for cytown.
solid beer. good food, cool aesthetic and most importantly, experience
 

baller21

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Sounds like Big Grove is planning to open another location in Omaha.
 

JP4CY

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Had a CTRL ALT from Singlespeed last night. I thought it was very drinkable.

I questioned them putting a brewery where they did but it is pretty damn awesome.
 

JM4CY

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Had a CTRL ALT from Singlespeed last night. I thought it was very drinkable.

I questioned them putting a brewery where they did but it is pretty damn awesome.
Did not realize Singlespeed was in DM now.
 

Al_4_State

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Had a CTRL ALT from Singlespeed last night. I thought it was very drinkable.

I questioned them putting a brewery where they did but it is pretty damn awesome.
I feel like of all the larger, well distributed Iowa breweries, Singlespeed is the one that's the most underrated. Their beer is always (at a minimum) good, they're always up to something new and interesting, and it's frequently pretty great.
 

JM4CY

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It's a really cool taproom. Good layout and atmosphere, and family friendly with lots to keep kids busy. Good food too, their Fish and Chips is the best I've had anywhere around here.
Ha! I just googled it and actually have been there (last summer). I forgot it was a Singlespeed place. Great food.
 
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JP4CY

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It's a really cool taproom. Good layout and atmosphere, and family friendly with lots to keep kids busy. Good food too, their Fish and Chips is the best I've had anywhere around here.
Wife and I shared an order of nachos. Nothing fancy or spectacular but really good, fresh, and at the right price point.
The amount of fresh air in there on a nice night is amazing. Just a great spot.
 
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baller21

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Wife and I shared an order of nachos. Nothing fancy or spectacular but really good, fresh, and at the right price point.
The amount of fresh air in there on a nice night is amazing. Just a great spot.
Yeah it’s a good sized taproom with a huge patio that’s easy to bike to. Just make sure you don’t cross the Scott street bridge on the east side where all the locals are fishing, they think they own the sidewalk and will give you ****.
 

Blackhawk6515

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Had a CTRL ALT from Singlespeed last night. I thought it was very drinkable.

I questioned them putting a brewery where they did but it is pretty damn awesome.

Love Singlespeed. There beers are always spot on and food is great. Parking is a little dicey, but a small price to pay.