LAST CHANCE -> Iowa Brewing - Cedar Rapids - Closing

[cc1091]

I'm sure that some have already read that Iowa Brewing in Cedar Rapids is closing. The first rumors were out this past spring. By now it is no great secret, but those locally saw that it was still Iowa Brewing and still open (so a chance to think it was all a hoax). The owner has had a very successful run. His Oja and other beer/ales sell well. But he is at retirement age, and another CR brewery (ClockHouse Brewing) made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He has spent the time since this spring selling off the product he has had on hand, and I suspect that will continue into when ClockHouse finally takes over on Wednesday July 30, 2025. But TODAY IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO VISIT THE BREWERY AS IOWA BREWING.

No one knows exactly the plans that ClockHouse has for their new acquisition. Will they keep it much the same? Or will they maintain and improve it as a production and storage space? My belief is that Clockhouse will eventually move all (or nearly all) production and storage to the Iowa Brewing space, and enlarge their tasting space and make it more compatible with the other business in that building (Black Sheep Social Club). But this is only the opinion of someone not affiliated with either of these breweries or that other business.

 

[baller21]

They made some decent beer and I always wanted to go to one of their annual cousin Eddy parties but never made it.

 

[Clone1992]

I'm sure that some have already read that Iowa Brewing in Cedar Rapids is closing. The first rumors were out this past spring. By now it is no great secret, but those locally saw that it was still Iowa Brewing and still open (so a chance to think it was all a hoax). The owner has had a very successful run. His Oja and other beer/ales sell well. But he is at retirement age, and another CR brewery (ClockHouse Brewing) made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He has spent the time since this spring selling off the product he has had on hand, and I suspect that will continue into when ClockHouse finally takes over on Wednesday July 30, 2025. But TODAY IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO VISIT THE BREWERY AS IOWA BREWING.

No one knows exactly the plans that ClockHouse has for their new acquisition. Will they keep it much the same? Or will they maintain and improve it as a production and storage space? My belief is that Clockhouse will eventually move all (or nearly all) production and storage to the Iowa Brewing space, and enlarge their tasting space and make it more compatible with the other business in that building (Black Sheep Social Club). But this is only the opinion of someone not affiliated with either of these breweries or that other business.

With the two buildings as close as they are to each other it would 100% make sense to move all production equipment over to the new space and expand seating in their current taproom. I'm a fan of Clock House so I'm ok with the change.

 

[cc1091]

They made some decent beer and I always wanted to go to one of their annual cousin Eddy parties but never made it.

Cousin Eddy is still on tap when I left at 4 something this afternoon. I think this is one that the guys visiting from Clockhouse this afternoon said they were definitely keeping. Still on tap when I left: Oja and Imperial Oja; Aaah Bock (which is actually a beer owned by a former brewer "Stone City" who would guest brew at Iowa Brewing, is still on tap), Bohemian Rapids, Iowa Eagle Amber, ALTernative Lifestyle (Alt beer), Moray Scotch Ale, all of these and a couple more are still available today. Not sure about tomorrow.

A brief conversation with the new owners informs me that they will continue brewing some of these as Clockhouse brews. As of yet, they are undecided about the sequencing of everything. Apparently the governmental approvals were difficult to obtain because of staffing shortages WRT new federal administration. They are glad to be through that wormhole and on to the next phase.

Iowa Brewing ran a clean shop. Everything you can see from the tasting area is shiny and bright. All awaiting new beer brewed by Clockhouse whose brews have always been true to style WRT my palette.

 

[cc1091]

With the two buildings as close as they are to each other it would 100% make sense to move all production equipment over to the new space and expand seating in their current taproom. I'm a fan of Clock House so I'm ok with the change.

Well, it still is several blocks, so no pipeline. But brewing Witchslap (Clockhouse's most popular brew) is probably going to happen at Iowa Brewing. But now with HyVee no longer serving it at any of its former Market Grills, the volume may decrease. But if it is as popular elsewhere as it is in Cedar Rapids (Easy Eddie is my backup when Witchslap isn't available), then I expect it to cut into at least NEIPA sales from other breweries. So if the bulk of WS brewing continues offsite at Iowa Brewing, and then Clockhouse adds the very good non IPAs from Iowa Brewing to continue to be brewed at Iowa Brewing, then I think they may maintain a less stressed brewing arrangement at the Black Sheep site where the brewer can experiment.

 

[baller21]

Cousin Eddy is still on tap when I left at 4 something this afternoon. I think this is one that the guys visiting from Clockhouse this afternoon said they were definitely keeping. Still on tap when I left: Oja and Imperial Oja; Aaah Bock (which is actually a beer owned by a former brewer "Stone City" who would guest brew at Iowa Brewing, is still on tap), Bohemian Rapids, Iowa Eagle Amber, ALTernative Lifestyle (Alt beer), Moray Scotch Ale, all of these and a couple more are still available today. Not sure about tomorrow.

A brief conversation with the new owners informs me that they will continue brewing some of these as Clockhouse brews. As of yet, they are undecided about the sequencing of everything. Apparently the governmental approvals were difficult to obtain because of staffing shortages WRT new federal administration. They are glad to be through that wormhole and on to the next phase.

Iowa Brewing ran a clean shop. Everything you can see from the tasting area is shiny and bright. All awaiting new beer brewed by Clockhouse whose brews have always been true to style WRT my palette.

Glad to hear they will keep some of their beers.

 

[Tri]

Cousin Eddy is still on tap when I left at 4 something this afternoon. I think this is one that the guys visiting from Clockhouse this afternoon said they were definitely keeping. Still on tap when I left: Oja and Imperial Oja; Aaah Bock (which is actually a beer owned by a former brewer "Stone City" who would guest brew at Iowa Brewing, is still on tap), Bohemian Rapids, Iowa Eagle Amber, ALTernative Lifestyle (Alt beer), Moray Scotch Ale, all of these and a couple more are still available today. Not sure about tomorrow.

A brief conversation with the new owners informs me that they will continue brewing some of these as Clockhouse brews. As of yet, they are undecided about the sequencing of everything. Apparently the governmental approvals were difficult to obtain because of staffing shortages WRT new federal administration. They are glad to be through that wormhole and on to the next phase.

Iowa Brewing ran a clean shop. Everything you can see from the tasting area is shiny and bright. All awaiting new beer brewed by Clockhouse whose brews have always been true to style WRT my palette.

Loved their imperial Oja. Glad a local bought them out, especially since it’s Clock House.