4 New Breweries to hit Iowa Shelves this week!

Four new breweries will be bringing their beers to Iowa shelves this coming week and more to follow! This week, we should start seeing the following:

**WELDWORKS**- Weldworks Brewing is located in Greeley, CO and will soon be opening a taproom in Colorado Springs as well. They are known for their Juicy Bits Hazy IPA amongst many other offerings. Very excited to have them come to our state and to learn more about them, check out their website by clicking HERE!

**UNTITLED ART** – Untitled Art is located in Waunakee, WI, a short drive from Madison. They are owned by the guys who own Funk Factory and Octopi Brewing and do many collabs. Check out their diverse portfolio by clicking HERE!

**FAIR STATE BREWING** – Fair State Brewing is located in Minneapolis, MN and like the above mentioned, has quite a large profile of beers. I know Mirror Universe has been seen in the DSM area before but hasn’t made its way further east. A wonderful taproom and beer garden and some really excellent beer, happy to have Fair State coming to our shelves, but it’s definitely worth a drive up north as well! Read more on their portfolio by clicking HERE!

**MODIST BREWING** – a brewery I was not very familiar with until a trip a few months back up to Madison where I landed some cans. Also located in Minneapolis, Modist adds to the wonderful array of breweries up north, making it a beer destination for sure. Here’s more on this brewery, click HERE!

New this Week: Clock House and Lion Bridge releases!

Another week and another round of delicious sounding beers coming from the wonderful brewers at Clock House Brewing and Lion Bridge Brewing! Here’s what’s in store for us:

**CLOCK HOUSE RASPBERRY XXPLOSION**

The third variant of our sour XXplosion series features an excessive amount of fresh Raspberries from our friends at Buck Creek Hops. Thick, tart and sweet. This sour XXplodes out the glass and will leave you wanting more!Available on draft and in 16 oz 4-packs. No holds or pre-sales will be available prior to the release.

**LION BRIDGE COFFEE KOLSCH AND GOODY**

The classic diner pairing you know and love comes to you in beer form. This Wednesday 5/26 we are serving up, for the first time in cans, a @dashcoffeeroasters version of our Kölsch that is sure wow and surprise with beautiful coffee aroma and flavor, but no added color.And, as an “a la carte” addition we are offering Goody, an Imperial Cinnamon Roll Stout made with cream cheese icing, vanilla, and cinnamon.We highly recommend enjoying them together over good conversation about the weather and the 17 year cicada hatch.Pre-order now (click the link below) for Wednesday pick-up!https://www.toasttab.com/lion-bridge-brewing-company…/v3

Lion Bridge “Mallow Gold” returning this Wednesday April 14th! Preorder now!

Lion Bridge will be releasing “Mallow Gold” barrel aged stout to the public this Wednesday with preordering available right now! Here’s more from the brewery including a link to the preorder form!

A summer nights favorite is back!!!

Mallow Gold (9%abv, Barrel-Aged S’mores Stout) – We took bourbon barrel aged stout from our stock that have been aging for over a year, and s’moresified it! Marshmallow, Chocolate, and Graham Cracker meld beautifully in this campfire beer.

Pair it with our S’mores house made brownie for a taste sensation. Pre-order today for Wednesdays release.

http://www.toasttab.com/lion-bridge-brewing-company-59…

Clock House Brewing releasing “Last Tango Mango” gose this Friday (3/9)!

Clock House Brewing in Cedar Rapids will be releasing a new sour this Friday, April 9th @ 3p.m. “Last Tango Mango” gose will be coming our way on tap, in cans, and in growler fills! This gose style will have mango, lime, and Himalayan pink salt! Follow updates from Clock House’s Facebook page here and reading more below!

Whoever said it takes two to tango? There’s no shame in stopping down solo this Friday, April 9th as we release a new Mango Margarita inspired sour.Last Tango Mango is a 6.5% Gose brewed with loads of mango, a touch of lime, and Himalayan pink sea salt. This beer reminds us of warm weather and drinking margs beachside in the sun!Available in cans, growlers, and on tap. Cans will be able to be purchased through our website on the day of the release

Iowa Eats: The Red Frog – Cedar Rapids, IA

As the weather warms and the itch of getting outside is finally getting scratched, the streets and sidewalks start to come to life in the Czech Village in Cedar Rapids. There are many locally owned restaurants, breweries, bars, and shops in the few blocks that make up the Czech Village area and this past weekend I was able to pay my first visit to The Red Frog. The Red Frog is owned by Jake Brummer and Amy Winkler, who had opened up the Kingston Pub only for the Derecho to rip its roof off. The Red Frog is located in what used to be Dirty Shirleys, tucked in between Anvil Meat Market and Luckys.

The Red Frog could fit the dive bar definition, which I love and appreciate, but the uniqueness and variety of their food menu is what many restaurants strive to achieve and many miss the boat. Great appetizers, sandwiches, and smoked meats make up the menu the but the Frog also serves breakfast on the weekends.

BEER
10 tap lines filled with a nice mix of styles and many local beers. Tank Puncher, Easy Eddy, Witch Slap, Tip the Cow, and a few more to go along with your typical domestics along with some breakfast cocktails if you choose to go that route. I went with a Witch Slap (a few of them) to go along with my food.

FOOD
Went with my buddy’s recommendations at the started with Sriracha cheese balls. A brilliant call from him on this one, I know I have a lot of Top 5 lists, but these cheese balls definitely hit that list, maybe even to the top. The spice added to the breading from the sriracha and how perfectly cooked and creamy they were make for the perfect start and will wake up your taste buds a bit. Glad I had that cold beer next to me.
Next up, the Reuben Wontons. Take your favorite wonton from your favorite chinese restaurant, and stuff that baby with a reuben mixture of swiss, kraut, and corned beef, add a side of homemade 1,000 island and you have an Irish twist on a delicious dish. So far, 2 for 2 at the Red Frog. Lastly, had to try something from the smoker. Really wanted the ribs but after devouring 2 apps I was getting a bit full, so I went with the smoked wing basket. 6 plump and juicy wings with the perfect amount of smoke, accompanied by one of the best blue cheese dressings I’ve had, raspberry habanero sauce, and regular wing sauce hit the spot. The wings were crispy, filling, and tasty.

OVERALL
There are so many things on their menu that I haven’t tried yet that I would love to get a taste of. Do yourself a favor, head to the Czech Village and check out the many restaurants/bars/stores in that area, and then stop by The Red Frog and get yourself those sriracha cheese balls and a beer and just sit back and enjoy! Check out their menu by clicking HERE or their website by clicking HERE!

Reds Alehouse w/ Pulpit Rock cans available for purchase! + more from Reds!

Reds Alehouse has just gotten in a shipment of some tasty brews from the folks at Pulpit Rock. Limited quantities available so get there ASAP to get a couple cans for yourself! Here’s what is available:

**Easy Lover – session IPA
**Saftig – New England IPA
**Never Again – pastry stout w/ peanuts, maraschino cherries, sugar cookies and cocoa nibs
**Show and Tell – blackberry infused kettle sour
**Island Life – pastry sour infused strawberry, mango, and lemonade mix
**What Would You Like for Breakfast? – blackberry pastry kettle sour with maple extract and fresh baked muffins
**Prances with Wolves – pastry sour packed with peaches, graham crackers, and cinnamon
**Scone On – Pastry sour with blueberry and fresh blueberry scones

Thew 3 year anniversary celebration starting Friday 3/12!

Thew Brewing will be celebrating their 3 year anniversary with a weekend full of new beers available for purchase or to enjoy in the taproom and much more! Here’s what they have going:

Thew Brewing is gearing up to celebrate our third anniversary!
We have several days of fun planned. 
*Friday, March 12th – March Comedy Madness 7 & 9:30 PM – Tickets at shop.thewbrew.com/events 
*Saturday, March 13th – Thew Anniversary Party & Bottle Release 12-10 PMNoon: Bottle release of Double Tappa (BA imperial brown) and its coconut chocolate variant, $20/each We’ll have a fun tap lineup, including Double Tappa and the coconut chocolate variant. The Hacienda Las Glorias/La Cantina taco truck will be on site from 5-9 PM. 
*Tuesday, March 16th – Thew Anniversary 2-8 PM $4 tulips of Thew Askew #3 (with grape juice for a sparkling wine-like sour) 
*Wednesday, March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day 12-8 PM Thew Askew #6 release$3 pints of green Lager, Esq. 

Big Grove Solon tapping Richard! 2019 Coconut Vanilla Richard and 2020 Richard the Whale tomorrow (2/28) @ 9 a.m.!

Big Grove Brewery in Solon will be tapping a couple of heavy hitters tomorrow (Sunday 2/28) to go along with their amazing brunch menu! 2019 Coconut Vanilla Richard and 2020 Richard the Whale will find their way to the tap lines in Solon on Sunday morning! To go along with those two beers they will also be serving:
*Biscuits and gravy
*Brioche french toast with coffee custard
*Breakfast pizza

Brunch starts at 9 a.m. A perfect way to start your Sunday and finish your weekend!

Clown Shoes brews coming from Abu Nawas this week!

Big beer drop from Clown Shoes courtesy of Abu Nawas, including a barrel-aged IPA! Check out the list below:

CLOWN SHOES CANS:

  • Clown Shoes Origin Story 1/12/19.2oz “Stovepipe” CAN – IPA Aged in Bourbon Barrels. Rich and complex notes of bourbon and oak mingle uniquely with subtle hoppiness and a sturdy, slightly sweet malt backbone. 9.75% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes The Beast With No Name 1/12/19.2oz “Stovepipe” CAN – Imperial Stout Blended with Barleywine Ale Aged in Rum, Rye, and Bourbon Barrels. A proprietor’s blend of some of their best barrel-aged ales, this imperial stout can’t be described by a single name, so they didn’t try! 10.5% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Hammer of the Lion 24/16oz CAN – Imperial Stout blended with Wee Heavy Ale aged in Rum, Bourbon, and Brandy Barrels. Rich malt sweetness paired with complex notes of Rum, Bourbon, and dark chocolate. 11% ABV. 
  • Clown Shoes Undead Party Crasher 6/4/16oz CAN – American Imperial Stout, with a kiss of smoke. Rich notes of coffee and chocolate mingle throughout an intense and full-bodied Stout. Holy Water is on the ingredients list, We are not kidding! 9% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes DDH Zen Garden 6/4/16oz CAN – Double Dry Hopped New England India Pale Ale, flush with full-bodied, hazy flavor from wheat and oat in the malt bill and a steady stream of hop additions. Hopped with Azacca, Citra, and Mosaic. 6.75% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Zebra Warren 2021 24/16oz CAN – Double IPA Mango and Pink Guava. 8% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Space Cake 6/4/16oz CAN – Double IPA with Mosaic and Citra Hops. 9% ABV.   
  • Clown Shoes Galactica IPA 6/4/16oz  CAN – Clown Shoes Famed Double IPA Dry hopped with Galaxy Hops, this one balances a hop profile of light bitterness and notes of tropical fruit, citrus, and pine with a clean malt backbone.. 8% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Galacticake 6/4/16oz CAN – Double IPA Featuring a base brew of Space Cake dry-hopped per Galactica specs, Galacticake combines Clown Shoes signature Double IPAs to make for a bevy of tropical citrus aromas and flavor. A balanced body showcases notes of both pine and citrus. 9% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Haze Cake 6/4/16oz CANS – Hazy Double IPA with Mosaic, Citra, and Centennial hops, Honey, and 2-row malts, wheat. 9% ABV.  
  • Clown Shoes Bubble Farm IPA  6/4/16oz CAN – American IPA maintains an approachable medium-body without sacrificing any of the full aroma and flavor of copious dry-hopping additions of Simcoe, Azacca, and Idaho 7 hops. 6.5% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Rainbows are Real 6/4/16oz CAN – Hazy IPA Infused with Terpenes. 6.75% ABV.  
  • Clown Shoes Leviathan 6/4/16oz CANS – Big, Bold, and Full of Powerful hop Flavor, Leviathan is an intense TRIPLE IPA. Relentless hop additions throughout blend earthy, fruity, and floral notes. 10% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Tropical Blender 6/4/16oz CANS – Smoothie IPA with Guava, Pineapple, Mango, and Lactose. 7% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Tuscan Picnic 6/4/16oz CAN – Rosé India Pale Ale brewed with Lambrusco Grape Juice for sweet fruit flavor and a refreshing dryness reminiscent of a picnic under the Tuscan Sun! 6.5% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Clementine 6/4/16oz CAN – White Ale with Spices, All Natural Clementine Flavor, Sweet Orange Peel, Coriander, Mandarina Hops. 6% ABV.
  • Clown Shoes Mango Kolsch 6/4/16oz CAN – American Kōlsch with All Natural Mango Flavor, Columbus, and Huell Melon Hops. 5.5% ABV.