Yesterday I was lucky enough to get to check out Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Iowa City and try some of the amazing food and beer. Special thanks to Mr. Chad Young for the invite, the guy is a class act.
My wife and I parked in the back of the building and immediately noticed the huge outdoor patio area that will be a perfect place to enjoy multiple Big Grove IPAs this summer as well as a place to do some tailgating this fall. As you walk into the building you see what every beer lover loves to see; beautiful tap handles staring back at you waiting to pour you a lovely brew. I knew this place was going to be big, but I didn’t realize how big until actually walking through it. The brewery part itself was huge, add a stage and a green room for live music, a back area that will have a SHUFFLEBOARD!!! (YES!!!!, I’m a sucker for shuffleboard), and a ping-pong table, and the regular dining area and you have one big space.
The food and beer were on point. If you’ve had Chef Benjamin Smart’s food at the original Big Grove and Pullman then you know your expectations are going to be high going in and he and his staff did not disappoint. You walk up to place your order and you get a buzzer when your food is ready. You go and pick up your tray and dig in to your meal. My wife and I had the house salad which was refreshing and kind of cooled me down while eating some the Smoked Tapatio wings. The wings were spicy but the perfect burn for me. We also shared the Queso Fundido which could come with chips or homemade corn tortillas, we opted for the tortillas and very happy with that decision. Just to round out the night I had to have a couple of tacos. I went with the pescado(fish) taco and pork belly pastor tacos. Both were awesome but the sauce on that fish taco was amazing and I’ll be ordering many of those in the future.
Overall, amazing day to say the least. Many hours will be spent in Iowa City at Big Grove for myself and my family in the future. They will be opening up this Wednesday to the public so make sure you get over there and check it out. Thanks again to Chad Young, Chef Smart, Danny Standley and Doug Goettsch for the hospitality and congrats to them all!
Hidden amongst the throng of shops, stores, bars, there is a terrific little bistro in Marion, Iowa called Ramseys. One of my favorite places to go have a panini (the Italian is my favorite) and a hidden gem for craft beer lovers. Yes, it’s a wine bistro with an array wines, but Ramseys also has a stellar craft beer lineup as well!
An obvious choice for a Drink This! post but this beer is soooo damn good it’s worth another mention. People lining up anticipating the release, constant social media mentions of the brew and the beer trader pages with the many ISO: Madhouse Carpe Diem tell me that this isn’t a hidden secret of a brew and many of you already know about its greatness.
The 13th annual Benz Beverage Depot Beerfest has been announced and is set for Saturday May 13th! Tickets are available for purchase by visiting 
The highly anticipated release of Madhouse Brewing’s bourbon barrel aged imperial breakfast stout, Carpe Diem, will be taking place Friday February 17th and Madhouse Brewing in Des Moines, IA. One of my favorite beers of the past year will be released along with some other breakfast themed beers from Madhouse. Here’s more courtesy of Madhouse’s Facebook page:
A fun event will be taking place at the Mount Vernon Road Hy-Vee in Cedar Rapids as Lagunitas Brewing will be hosting a “Beer PHD”. This event will feature beer samples, History of Lagunitas, Beer PHD session, plus much more. Here’s the official release from Mt. Vernon Road Hy-Vee, check it out if you’re in the area, cheers!
Left Hand Brewing and Black Sheep Social Club are coming together to bring you a 4 course brunch matched with Left Hand beers. Saturday February 18th is the day and it will be starting at 11:30. Get four courses with paired beers for $35! More information below:
The Cedar Rapids Ale Trail is a terrific way to venture out and try some the best food and beer in the area and save money while doing so!
**Lion Bridge Brewing Company**
**Millstream Brewing Company**
**The Quarter Barrel Arcade and Brewery**
**Third Base Brewery**
A last minute change to the Brrr Fest lineup has Lost Duck Brewing company not attending the event and Iowa Brewing Company taking their place.