Do you enjoy craft beers, wine, or cider? Des Moines has an ever-expanding handcrafted beverage scene. From hazy IPAs to hard seltzers and smoothie style sours, there is a brewery for everyone, including the kids and dogs!
Prefer wine or hard cider? Des Moines’ local wineries and cidery not only have sippable delights but live music and events for the whole family. Grab the family and enjoy some of the locally made adult beverages!
Our favorite Des Moines breweries and wineries
When You Want to Watch a Game with a Group
What: Big Grove Brewery
Where: 17th Street, Des Moines
Why: Enjoy a locally craft beer (we recommend the Citrus Surfer or a seasonal sour) while you catch a game. The patio offers views of downtown and has fire pits for chilly evenings.
Need a Food Truck With Your Beer?
What: Brightside Aleworks
Where: Altoona
Why: Follow them on Facebook to keep up-to-date on the food truck schedule as it rotates. Grab their refreshing Cran-Orange Wheat and settle in on the patio with your favorite food truck grub.
When You Need a Cycling Break
What: Confluence Brewing
Where: Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines
Why: With access directly off the Gray’s Lake Bike Trail, it’s an easy stop on your ride. Relax in their spacious beer garden and enjoy a fruited gose from their Wizard series. A super-light beer to keep you hydrated and ready to get back on that bike.
Best Housemade Ginger Beer
What: Court Avenue Brewing
Where: Court Avenue, Des Moines
Why: CABCO is Des Moines’ original brewery. Love a Moscow Mule? Upgrade your drink with CabCo’s own Wertzberger’s Ginger Beer for a delightful ginger kick. This longtime staple of downtown also brews a number of other local favorite beers.
// RELATED CONTENT: Des Moines Bike Trails //
Great Brewpub Grub
What: Exile Brewing
Where: Walnut Street, Des Moines
Why: Standard but elevated food options like burgers, soft pretzels, wraps, and cheese curds make this a great stop for lunch or dinner. With a vegan chorizo wrap and Mahi street tacos, you can also get adventurous while grabbing a bite with your beer. Drink a Ruthie lager, a tribute to an infamous Des Moines bartender in this historic building.
Great Small-town Atmosphere
What: Fenders Brewing
Where: Polk City
Why: If you live in the area you are probably already familiar with this newer family hang-out. If not, stop by for friendly vibes and good brews. Check their events page for their Pizza, Pints, and Tunes nights where you can get another local favorite, Papa’s Pizza!
Need Somewhere Dog-Friendly?
What: Paws and Pints
Where: Willowmere Drive, Des Moines
Why: Dog lovers come together at this all-in-one experience for you and four legged friends. Outfitted with a restaurant, bar, 3.5 acre dog park, grooming services, obedience classes, and their Bonetique, Paws and Pints has all you need for a fun, relaxing, and social outing with humans and dogs alike. Try out their house Off the Leash Lager and enjoy local vendor selections at Your Best Friend’s Bar.
Like Bikes AND Moscow Mules?
What: Firetrucker Brewing
Where: Ankeny
Why: Located off the High Trestle Trail, this is another great stop for cyclists. They also have Moscow mules on tap (or in a can!). Or check out one of their other beers like Tropical Burn with flavors of mango, pineapple, and grapefruit in their spacious, yet comfy beer garden.
Best Brunch
What: Barn Town Brewing
Where: West Des Moines
Why: Hit them up on Saturday or Sunday for their delicious brunch items like huevos rancheros or Nashville hot chicken on a biscuit. Get there early for free banana bread brought to your table! They make some of the best hazy IPAs and pastry sours around and also offer hard seltzers seasonally.
Top-Notch Food
What: Lua Brewing
Where: Sherman Hill, Des Moines
Why: Their breaded pork tenderloin and burger are crafted with the same care as their seasonal offerings like salmon poke and caviar. Their devotion to quality ingredients and processes extends to their beer. Check out their German-style beers as well a variety of IPAs and sours.
Wine And Cider More Your Thing?
What: Jasper Winery
Where: George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines
Why: Enjoy samples, flights, and wine by the glass in this tucked-away wine oasis in downtown. During the summer, stop by on Thursday nights and enjoy live music, food trucks, and more with your wine.
What: Winterset Cidery
Where: Winterset
Why: The only dedicated cidery in the metro area offers handcrafted hard ciders using apples from local orchards. They also create deliciously flavored ciders like Lime Habanero, Butter Pecan, and more! Check out their events page for live music, food trucks, and trivia nights.
What: Madison County Winery
Where: St. Charles
Why: Nestled among the rolling hills and famous covered bridges of Madison County, this charming winery is the perfect place to slow down and savor an Iowa afternoon. Enjoy a wine flight on the scenic patio, catch live music on select weekends, or relax with vineyard views. New visitors should try the crisp Vignoles, the fruity Summer Blonde, or the fan-favorite Midnight Rain for a taste of what makes this local winery special.
