Category: Best Beer in Iowa

Local Craft Cellar celebrating 1 year Anniversary on May 20th!

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On Saturday, May 20th, the Local Craft Cellar in Cedar Rapids (7085 C Ave. NE A1) will be celebrating their 1 year anniversary, and to no one’s surprise, Jason and staff will be celebrating in style with some amazing deals and samples of their wonderful supply of beer and food items! Their store hours will be 10am-4pm and Dimensional Brewing will be there pouring samples from about 11-3. Also, Edgewood Locker will be there grilling up samples of brats from 11-1:30. If you haven’t signed up for their bottle lottery, the 20th of May is going to be the last day for your to register as well!

Lua Brewing “contrition” barrel-aged stout goes on sale this Friday! Pick up 3/25!

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Courtesy of Lua’s Facebook page:

*STOUT RELEASE*

CONTRITION (14.3%)

BA Imperial Stout with Pecans, Coconut, Vanilla Beans, & Cacao Nibs

Inspired by German chocolate cake, CONTRITION is a massive imperial stout that was aged for two-and-a-half years in bourbon barrels before it rested on house-toasted pecans, house-toasted coconut, whole vanilla beans, and freshly roasted cacao nibs.

Sales for CONTRITION bottle sets start THIS Friday 3/17 at 10AM online via TOAST (link in our bio) and will remain on sale, online, during our regular business hours until sold out.

CONTRITION will be sold in a set of TWO 500mL bottles, with no limit on sets & proxies are absolutely allowed. Picking up for a proxy? Make sure to have their order number ready for us when you’re picking up ☺️.

Draft pours and bottle pickup start at 11AM here in our Sherman Hill taproom on Saturday 3/25 and may be picked up anytime during regular business hours between the days of Saturday 3/25 and Saturday 4/22.

Can’t wait to see you here!

Lion Bridge Brewing release news for March!

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A busy month for Lion Bridge as they celebrate their 9 year anniversary this Sunday, March 5th starting when the doors open at 11!

Along with their anniversary they are releasing a whole bunch of tasty brews as well. Here’s what is coming from Lion Bridge this month!

TAG Tangerine (Tangerine Wheat Beer, 4.2%) Inspired by German “Radlers” that combine soda and beer to produce a light and refreshing beverage. Tag is a juicy and hazy wheat beer with the zesty citrus bite of tangerine. Enjoy a Tag! Enjoy the Day!”

Giving Crew Brew (Blonde Ale w/Comet Hops, 5.2%) – Brewed in Collaboration with the Iowa Giving Crew to support their fundraising initiatives.

Wolf Shirt XXL (Imperial IPA w/Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, 8.5%) – More hops, more ABV, robot wolves fighting intergalactic space battles in front of an epic moon. What’s not to love? RELEASE DATE : 3/5

Anniversary Imperial (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout w/Ghanaian Cacao Nibs, 12%) – A whopping 17lbs of cacao nibs per barrel of beer. Brewed for our 9th Anniversary! Cheers! RELEASE DATE : 3/5

Živá Voda (Czech-style Pilsner, 4.8%) – Named for the “living water” of Czech fairy tales that heals infirmities and counteracts spells. RELEASE DATE : 3/15

House Project #1 (West Coast IPA, 7.1%) – This R&D IPA utilizes Simcoe and Citra. RELEASE DATE 3/15

Peachy Keen (Kettle Sour with Peach Ring Gummies, 6.7%) – Everything’s peachy, peachy keen.

RELEASE DATE : 3/22

Clock House Brewing re-releasing Orange Xxxplosion and Black IPA this Friday! (2/24)

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Clock House Brewing is bringing back two tasty brews tomorrow (2/24)! As soon as the doors open at 3:00, you’ll be able to get your hands and lips on their Black IPA and their ever popular Orange Xxxplosion brews! Here’s more from Clock House:

🚨We have two beers returning to the taproom this Friday, February 24th!

Orange XXplosion: This sour features a trio of orange citrus fruits including: Tangerine, Cara Cara Orange, and Southern Hemisphere Oranges. Thus, creating a complex plethora of flavor that XXplodes out the glass.

Black IPA: Comprised of carefully selected Black malts to achieve a deep, rich roasted dark malt flavor with hints of chocolate and rye. Bittered and dry-hopped with Centennial, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops that attribute to classic bitter pine notes.

Both of these will be available in 16oz 4-packs, growlers, and draft!

February is “Stout” month! What stout are you drinking?

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Ever since 1993, February as been designated “Stout” month. What better way to celebrate the end of January than by cracking a bottle/can of your favorite roasty stout? There are so many great stouts to choose from in our great state, but here’s what I’ll be sipping on this month…plus any others I may cross paths with!

**Lion Bridge Percussive Maintenance** – the perfect beer to pop open during February. I was lucky enough to procure a few bottles and also has this decadent baby on tap. One of the best beers in the state in my opinion. 12% can be scary, but it’s extremely well hidden. Sip on this one and relish it, maybe share it, but make sure you are sharing with someone worthy of this brew.

**Singlespeed Tip the Cow** – sometimes we take for granted those things that are readily available to us. Tip the Cow happens to be one of those beers, You can find it in almost any grocery store in the area and also happens to be a fantastic stout. Coffee and chocolate and I think I’ll have at least two of these!

**Big Grove Richard the Whale** – another harder to get beer that you can’t just pick up at your local grocery store…BUT…this baby is currently on tap at my local watering hole, Chameleon’s Pub and Grub in Mount Vernon, and once I drink that dry I still have a few bottles stashed in the cellar. If you were lucky enough to attend Richard Day, you probably have some variants to drink as well….LUCKY!

**Backpocket Cookie Junkie** – when I first saw this can I thought for sure this beer would be too sweet, but the balance of the peanut butter and the 175 pounds of sandwich cookies was perfect at not cloying at all. After a big winter feast, this is going to be my dessert!

**Clock House Pet Elephant** – the new kid to the party. Just released last weekend. This is an end of nighter, nightcap, grand finale beer. 14% is frightening, and when you finish that last sip it may seem at the moment you could handle another….hold tight….save that next bottle for another evening…get the fireplace going, turn on some Lord Huron lightly in the background, and savor every last drop of this nutter butter filled brew.

There they are! Those 5 for sure and hopefully some more stouts I run into along the way. What stout are you drinking this month and what else do I need to try? Cheers to Stout Month!

Big Grove “Citrus Surfer” enters year round portfolio!

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Big Grove Brewery has added “Citrus Surfer” to their year round release portfolio. Released to markets earlier this week on now available on tap at all Big Grove locations, this is the perfect beer to get into the warmer weather mindset, or to add to your Super Bowl Party spread! Here’s the press release courtesy of Big Grove Brewery:

[Iowa City, IA]: Today, Big Grove announced a brand-new fruited wheat release to join their year-round beer portfolio. Now pouring in their Iowa City, Solon, and Des Moines taprooms, Citrus Surfer is loaded with real orange and lemon citrus at a crushable 4.8% ABV. Each taproom will feature citrus-inspired culinary dishes to celebrate the beer release. 

A refreshing new twist on Big Grove’s past award-winning wheat beers, Citrus Surfer offers fans “significant drinkability,” according to Andy Joynt, Director of Brewing. The brewery team produced ten concept batches spanning eight months, beginning with research and development at their Solon pilot brewery before scaling to their Des Moines system as an intermediate step, ultimately crafting the beer for full-scale production at the Iowa City brewery.

“The finish and aromatics were something we focused on. We wanted pop with the right citrus flavor, plus a clean and satisfying finish, bringing you back for another sip,” remarked Joynt. 

The beer is anticipated to create a big wave in Iowa, giving Blue Moon Belgian White and Leinenkugel’s Wheat drinkers a more widely available, Iowa-made alternative. “Although Iowa is not coastal, nor is it a state known for its surfing, Citrus Surfer represents that mentality and a laid-back approach to life and the moments it brings,” said Bryan Farrell, Director of Integrated Sales & Marketing. “Iowans love to seek out new experiences and travel, especially in the winter months. We’re offering a call-to-action for fans to ‘Find Your Moment’ through trip and experience giveaways.” 

Throughout 2023, Big Grove will be giving away flights, Airbnb gift cards for unique Iowa rentals, and other fun offers and experiences. Fans can enter to win flight vouchers to any destination of their choosing, redeemable at major Iowa airports (CID, DSM, DBQ, SUX, ALO). Keep an eye out for more waves of giveaways and experiences throughout the spring and summer months. To enter, go to biggrove.com/pages/find-your-moment.

Check out your favorite local beverage shop to catch the closest Citrus Surfer near you. Citrus Surfer is available on draft, six-packs, and 12-packs at a majority of retail locations across Iowa. 

Lion Bridge “Barrel-Aged January” schedule released!

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There’s no better place to warm up during the month of January in Iowa than Lion Bridge Brewing in Cedar Rapids as they have announced their “Barrel-Aged January” schedule! Beer, food, and more beer throughout the month of January, check the schedule below courtesy of Lion Bridge’s Facebook page:

BARREL-AGED JANUARY 2023

Saturday 1/7 at 11am —- THREE BEER RELEASES

Home-Baked 2023 (Imperial Stout w/ Hazelnut, Cinnamon, Cacao, Love, 11%) – Dessert for your desert island. Fudge and saigon cinnamon meld with a little bit of hazelnut goodness and bourbon barrel to produce something we liken to a cookie in beer form.

Vanilla Home-Baked (Imperial Stout/ Hazelnut, Cinnamon, Cacao, Vanilla, 11%) – We took our dessert for a desert island and dosed it with huge amounts of whole bean Madagascar Vanilla. An even more decadent treat!

Power Crystal (Imperial Stout w/Maple Syrup, 12%) – REWORK DESCRIPTION…. You have the power in you… Manifest/// Mind, body, spirit…. Collaboration with Illuminations Center for Enlightment in NewBo

Complimentary Donut Wall (while supplied last)

Food Special! Poblano Short Ribs on Goat Cheese Polenta 

Illuminations Center for Enlightenment will be at our Taproom with a Crystal display for sale from 12-4 

WED 1/11– Home-Baked 2022 – (Imperial Stout/ Hazelnut, Cinnamon, Cacao, Vanilla, 11%) – Last year’s Vintage of Home-Baked.

WED 1/18 Royal Wee 2017 (Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale, 10.5%) – A Lion Bridge deep cut for our loyal followers. Come try a BAJ beer from 6 years ago! Last keg in existence!

Saturday 1/21 11am- FOUR BEERS RELEASES!!!

Dark Money (Barrel-Aged Imperial Milk Stout w/Amburana wood, 12%) – Amburana wood aging contributes flavors akin to gingerbread. A fascinating addition to an already beautiful beer.

Percussive Maintenance (Barrel-Aged Macaroon Stout, 12%) – Aged 14 months in Willet Barrels, then blended with a heavy dose of toasted and untoasted coconut as well as cacao nibs. A decadent treat for a time when we need to savor every sip.

Forgotten Time (Barrel-Aged Barley Wine, 12%) – The real deal Barley Wine. Brewed in collaboration with our friends at Clockhouse Brewing. Aged for 18 months in 10-year-old Templeton barrels. Sherry, chocolate, dark fruit for days.

Remembered Time 2022 (Barrel-Aged Strong Ale, 12%) – Our first Barrel-Aged January Collaboration ever! We worked with our friends at Clock House to brew a rich Barley Wine and then blended it with some strong stout from our cellar to make something entirely new and amazing.

Brunch & Music !!

Food Special- Brunch Boards for sharing (4 or 2 people)

6-9pm Blake Shaw & Nolan Schroeder LIVE MUSIC 

ALL MONTH FOOD SPECIAL!

Maple Bacon Burger

Beef burger topped with house-made maple coffee jam, bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce and garlic aioli all on a pretzel bun and served with kettle chips or your choice of upgraded side. (Add a sunny side up egg and/or cheese!)

Suggested pairing Home-Baked 2023

Iowa Brewing releasing BA Imperial Oja + variants on Black Friday! 11/25!

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Big news out of Cedar Rapids as Iowa Brewing Company will be coming off of their ever popular Cousin Eddie Thanksgiving Day party and on Black Friday releasing Barrel-Aged Imperial Oja and variants. Here’s a rundown of this release courtesy of Iowa Brewing’s Facebook page:

We’re releasing FOUR barrel-aged beer variations of our popular Oja Baltic Porter. Availability starting on Black Friday.

Barrel-Aged Imperial Oja – Regular

Barrel-Aged Imperial Oja – Double Vanilla

Barrel-Aged Imperial Oja – Cordial Cherry

Barrel-Aged Imperial Oja – Praline Coconut

All four variations have been aged in Cedar Ridge bourbon barrels.

Give Away Time! Win an Iowa Beer Advent Calendar from the Local in Mt. Vernon!

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It’s that time of year! For the 3rd year in a row I’ve teamed up with Gly-Mawr The Local in Mt. Vernon, IA to put together an Iowa-only beer advent calendar! We tried to include as many Iowa breweries as possible and also to include different options than we had last year! With that being said, I’ll be giving one calendar away to one lucky winner! Here’s how you can win!

**Comment on any of my Facebook/Twitter/Instagram pages (@iabeerbaron) where this link is posted by telling me your absolute favorite Iowa brewed beer, Iowa brewery and tag one of your friends and share the post!

-Deadline: Last time to comment to enter the drawing will be Wednesday, November 16th @ 8:00 p.m. I will be randomly drawing a name and will contact the winner. Pick up times for the calendar are as follows:

Wednesday, 11/23…10A-4P
Friday, 11/25…12-8P
Saturday, 11/26…8A-6P
Wednesday, 11/30…10A-3P

Please spread the word! There are a few calendars left for purchase as well and they make wonderful gifts! Cheers and good luck! For more info on the calendar please click HERE!