Contrary Brewing Co

 

Contrary was a recent highlight of a tour up & down the Mississippi, and into the adjacent inland regions of Iowa & Illinois. The beer quality was great, and when they said their brewer had been brewing commercially for years before starting this place it all clicked. So many new breweries take time to dial things in and make assertive beers. Contrary has that assertiveness in spades. 20 house taps, spanning styles from traditional Kölsch, Altbier, and Pilsner to various haze and fruited kettle sours, and even an excellent BA Imperial Stout with coffee and vanilla. Not a bad beer in the bunch, i'm surprised at some of the mediocre ratings here.

The space was industrial but with some cozy nooks, one with a trellis overhead and another with upholstered chairs by a fireplace. The view out front of the river was nice, and there was a patio out front with live music and an unobstructed view.

Service was great, everyone decided to show up when they opened, and they handled the crowd easily. The kitchen got backed up, but they apologized for the delay and the apps were pretty good. When it slowed down they were able to chat for a bit about their beers and brewery.

Overall I recommend a stop here, the beers were all excellent and the view can't be beat. Watch the river for eagles and relax as the world goes by.

 

 

Small brewery with an industrial setup. Quality and selection are pretty good, some of their ales come and go depending on on how much they made and seasonals. Good brewery overall.