Happy New Beer Everyone! I think this thread had not gotten created last year or the year before, maybe. Thought we'd try it again this year. Where does everyone discuss Iowa Beers? Twitter? Facebook? Tiktok??? I don't have much to report on, but hopefully somebody does!
I did get the Iowa Craft Brewery Advent Calendar this year after pining after it for years. I'm glad I got it, but I probably won't do it again. Many more cinnamon bun and pecan pie themed beers than I need in my life. I supported a good cause, but I think I'd rather not have so many dessert beers.
Excited to check out BackPocket Pin & Pixel when they open up in Johnston here in the next couple weeks
We toured it during the city's Christmas Tree Lighting a few weeks ago and it was nice, but had a ways to go, construction-wise. I've heard of a few people who've been already and said it's a nice place. It's relatively close to my house, so I'm personally very excited.
I forgot to post about it, but we went to Exile over the weekend to their Snow Globe thing. Basically had the place decorated like the inside of a snow globe, minus the snow. We hadn't been there since soon after they opened. I was very pleased with the food. Had a blee-cheese burger and the cheese was really bleu! Had a hazy IPA collab for lunch which was really juicy, in a good way. I also grabbed me some "Jesus on a Forklift" which I haven't had in ages. Also a "Back of the Basement" bottle, some sort of Wine Barrel Aged beer. Haven't tried either of those yet. Grabbed a six-pack of their nut-brown which I've had one of and it was really solid. I generally don't love their core beers, but the other ones I'm usually very pleased with.
Thanks for firing up the Iowa thread again, Nick! Like the both of you, looking forward to giving the BackPocket location a shot. I haven't had any of their beers since living in Coralville 7-ish years ago (and have really never been much of a fan), but holding out hope that things have improved or get to try some non-core stuff. At very least, it brings some much-needed variety to us here in Johnston.
Anybody know what was going on at the Kum&Go in Johnston by the movie theater? My wife saw a long line and the only thing I can find on Twitter is something about a bourbon drawing.
I'll be visiting Indianola in early September. Any Oktoberfests I should hunt out? Or recommend something similar I can get at the local Hy-Vee? Thanks!
Heard something the other day about 3 Floyds coming to Iowa. 5 or 10 year ago Nick would have been pumped about this, and present day Nick is still intrigued. https://iabeerbaron.com/2023/09/19/3-floyds-beers-coming-to-iowa-in-october/
Great River Brewing in Davenport, IA, which was a total loss and closed after a devastating Mississippi River flood in 2019, has announced they will be opening back up in early 2024.
That is good to see. I remember seeing the aftermath of those floods, and it was awful. I did like their beers, and hope to make it back to Iowa and get them when they're back up and running.
I saw some out and about this weekend. I am sure Cyclone Liquors in Ames had both, and maybe that HyVee across did. I ended up with a few bottles and the Backyard variant. Saw plenty of Bananas Foster but kept passing it up. Didn't see any others but didn't look real hard.
I'm trekking to Iowa for KBBS weekend and noticed Pulpit Rock has a special release that nicely aligns with my trip. Do PR's Oznr stout sales tend to sell out quickly, or is there a decent chance cans will still be available on-site when the pickup window opens? Trying to gauge if I need to commit to my full order on Monday when pre-order opens. Cheers and thanks in advance!
