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Des Moines IPA
Confluence Brewing Company


- From:
- Confluence Brewing Company
- Iowa, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #1,365 - ABV:
- 7.1%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #13,043 - Avg:
- 3.96 | pDev: 10.1%
- Reviews:
- 25
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jun 01, 2023
- Added:
- Mar 24, 2013
- Wants:
- 8
- Gots:
- 47
As the capital of Iowa, Des Moines constantly surprises first-time visitors with its mix of expected agrarian heritage and influences and unanticipated cosmopolitan flare. So too, with Des Moines IPA, an American take on a world beer: India Pale Ale (IPA). Iowa’s steady, well balanced nature is reflected in this IPA with its mix of medium body, lighter color and plenty of malt flavor to balance the massive hop impact. Citrusy and piney hops from the Pacific Northwest offset the robust malt flavor of the two-row barley and medium crystal malts. Des Moines IPA proudly represents the Hawkeye State in the category of American IPA, a favorite of beer connoisseurs all across the country.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina
4.04/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearace: Pours a clear light amber color with a bubble show building a three finger head; good retention and splashy lacing
Smell: Earthy and piney hop aromatics underpinned by a bready, caramel tone
Taste: Bread and caramel forward with earthy bitterness building; the pine arrives, mid-palate, and blends with the sweeter malt flavors in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation
Overall: This brings back memories of old school East Coast IPAs though it has a tad more piney bitterness that adds a West Coast element
Thanks, Chilmer, for the opportunity
Jun 01, 2023Smell: Earthy and piney hop aromatics underpinned by a bready, caramel tone
Taste: Bread and caramel forward with earthy bitterness building; the pine arrives, mid-palate, and blends with the sweeter malt flavors in the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation
Overall: This brings back memories of old school East Coast IPAs though it has a tad more piney bitterness that adds a West Coast element
Thanks, Chilmer, for the opportunity
Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado
4/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark amber body; off-white head, sudsy with a hint of creaminess; nice thick sheets of foam coated the glass. Zesty, resinous and citrus smell; subliminal maltiness. Light malt base complemented with peppery and pine-like flavors; excellent hop bitterness. Medium-heavy body; mild stinging coarseness on the palate.
The brewery created a nice mid-western take on a west coast-style India pale ale. Balanced and complex for the style.
Pouring temperature; 37.4 ℉; canning info: MAR/22/23
Source: The Big Steer restaurant lounge (Des Moines / Altoona)
May 12, 2023The brewery created a nice mid-western take on a west coast-style India pale ale. Balanced and complex for the style.
Pouring temperature; 37.4 ℉; canning info: MAR/22/23
Source: The Big Steer restaurant lounge (Des Moines / Altoona)
Reviewed by Hawkeyegold
4.47/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I very much miss this style of beer. I love the more West Coast style. I’m so juiced out right now, it almost turns my stomach to see all the hazy crud out there. This is a breath of fresh air. Awesome piney aroma and bitter flavors bursting through. The lacing on the glass is outstanding! I just ordered a keg. I’m going to put it on tap..
May 05, 2023Reviewed by gatornation from Arizona
4.18/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.18/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at El bait Pours a clear golden color with a white head and lacing.Smeel is fruity and tropical. taste has oranges and grapefruit with melon and pale malts , mouth feel has bitter pine resin with citrus and bready caramel malts to offset , A great IPA
Apr 23, 2023Rated by KS_Augsburg from Illinois
4.25/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This is simply outstanding.
Apr 23, 2022Reviewed by AlCaponeJunior from Texas
4.1/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.1/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A lovely lady brought back to me from IA a four-pack of tallboys, and five more beers from all the best local places.
I must say that a four-pack of this was a good call.
Orange tan and mildly hazy, with a decent head and lace.
Hoppy and nicely bittered, thick residual long chain sugars give it good body and balance.
Overall it's damn good and tasty. Well worth a trip in the belly of two modern jets, from IA to TX, en route to me.
Jan 23, 2021I must say that a four-pack of this was a good call.
Orange tan and mildly hazy, with a decent head and lace.
Hoppy and nicely bittered, thick residual long chain sugars give it good body and balance.
Overall it's damn good and tasty. Well worth a trip in the belly of two modern jets, from IA to TX, en route to me.
Reviewed by omahawk from Nebraska
3.94/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a nice easy-drinking Pale Ale. Pours golden copper with decent lacing head. Hint of tropics hop aroma just a hint of hops and malt. Taste is soft and pine and tropical hop and biscuit malt forward. Has an English malt hint. This is a decent drinkable lighter IPA.
May 05, 2018Rated by Outerbnks1 from Iowa
4.93/5 rDev +24.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.93/5 rDev +24.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Quite possibly the best beer I have EVER had.
Apr 01, 2018
Des Moines IPA from Confluence Brewing Company
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
162 ratings
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