The Most Underrated Brewery in the State of Iowa
Toppling Goliath Brewing Company is often referred to as the top-rated brewery in all of Iowa, but that doesn't mean there aren't some other fantastic ones here in our state! The website Thrillist recently put together a list of the most underrated breweries in all 50 states, and a Des Moines-based beer-maker ended up being the top pick!
Confluence Brewery is located at 1235 Thomas Beck Road in Des Moines and is headed up by John Martin from Imogene, Iowa. The website states that "it all started, improbably enough, with a failed attempt to make “raisin almond beer.”
What makes Confluence so great? According to Thrillist:
"It's unlikely anybody's going to be toppling Goliath any time soon, but Confluence is one of those breweries that forges its own path anyway, and it does it in the most Iowan way possible: By embracing the grain. Specifically, the brewery's Multi-Grain Ale is accurately described as "amber waves of grain in a glass," while a seasonal Blue Corn Lager manages to become an even better pairing for nachos with the addition of chiles. Things get really interesting with the experimental beers, which have included a stellar saison with cranberries and spruce tips, a Scottish ale kicked up with hazelnut and coffee, and a black lager aged in Scotch barrels."
Their year-round beers are Farmer John's Multi-Grain Ale and Des Moines IPA, but they offer a TON of seasonal and limited release flavors, including Gray's Lake Nessie Scottish Ale, Fresh Start Hoppy Pale Lager, Oktoberfest Lager, and more! To see a full list of their beers, click HERE.
If you're a lover of craft beer, be sure to get your tickets to the Cedar Rapids Beer Summit on March 2nd at the DoubleTree by Hilton Convention Complex! There will be over 100 craft beers and ciders available to try. Get more info HERE.
[Via Thrillist]