Des Moines Recommendations?

Not local, but I am a huge fan of the Olde Main Sodbuster. You can find it in pretty much every liquor store there. Also a fan of the Backpocket Rayun IPA, again you can find it in liquor stores there.

 

Beyond 515, confluence, and exile are both worth sampling. I'd: recommend confluence's des Moines ipa and exile's sours. If you're north of the metro firetrucker in ankeny and alluvial in Ames are putting out some really good beers and peacetree puts out some nice offerings as well. Sadly as an ames resident I wouldn't steer anyone towards a olde Maine beer all though the sod buster would be the one I order if I had to pick.

 

I doubt I'll be venturing much beyond Des Moines, in town from 10/16-10/19. Thanks for the recs all!

 

One other recommendation, stop at a Maid-Rite restaurant. There's several in the Des Moines area. It is a unique experience.

Also, I would have to agree on the Olde Main beers. I've had several. Sodbuster did knock my socks off (as well as a few friends I gave some to). The OffKilter was ok, then it dropped off fast after that.

 

Please DO NOT take the time to seek out a Maid-Rite restaurant. If you want local food recommendations as well, let me know what type of food you are into!

Also, Olde Main beers would be the last on my list of "local" brews to seek out. Just sayin!

As others have mentioned, 515 Brewery is a must. If you can't make it to their taproom, they may have one or two on tap at el Bait Shop, but not guaranteed. If you can find Raspberry Bohemian from Exile while in town, jump all over that. You likely won't find any TG beers on tap in Des Moines, but should be plenty in bottle shops around town of their Florida brewed beers.

 

I second the Maid-Rite experience though I prefer the breaded pork tenderloin over the maid rite sandwich. However, I'd also suggest better local food options as well.

 

Here is a map of the main beer spots around Central Iowa. https://en.batchgeo.com/map/CentralIowaCraftBeerMap

 

This is the guy you don't want to listen to.

 

Yeah, I was going to say. Bro must have had some loose socks on if they got knocked off by anything Olde Main made. Also, if Maid Rite was unique to you...you must not get out much. Nothing too unique about loose meat sandwiches.

 

I'd also throw in that if you're at El Bait, pop your head into High Life Lounge that's attached. You can bring your beer back and forth. It's all light lagers but the bar itself is cool to check out and maybe good for a tangerbomb (Tang/Yeager shot) or bacon wrapped tator tots or smokies (you can get these in EBS as well). Other downtown bars that you may consider would be Hessen House (German), Royal Mile (English), The Red Monk (belgian) in addition to El Bait. They'll definitely have more of a bar feel than the tap rooms in case you're looking for that and are all in walking distance to El Bait.

Also agree with others that Olde Main and Maid Rite would NOT be something I'd recommend to anyone visiting or living here considering so many other much much better spots around town...

 

For what its worth, I always like Exile's food too in case you get hungry while seeking out that Raspberry Bohemian. I also like the buffalo chicken egg rolls at El Bait. Follow 515 on Twitter as they will likely have a food truck at some point while you're here. Basically, I wouldn't want you to have to waste time eating at a place where you weren't drinking great beer!!! I think I'll go eat lunch now...

 

Thanks for all the info!

Does el baitshop allow outside bottles for sharing? Running the marathon this Sunday and thinking about bringing some SARA or something tasty from CA for the post race party there.

 

I don't believe they have a formal policy in place. They have the "Jimmy Carter Happy Hour" the first Thursday of every month which is a share of local homebrewers. If you really want to bring something in I would call ahead and get the ok, but that being said you are basically bringing sand to the beach (albeit some really nice sand); Here's their current list, they keep it pretty well updated: https://www.beermenus.com/places/4986-el-bait-shop

Good luck with your marathon, hope you enjoy Iowa.

 

El Bait usually has no problem if you bring outside bottles in, as long as you talk to a bartender first and let them know that's your plan and also purchase their food/beer as well.