Des Moines

But the food is average given the location. And they rest their reputation on lagers you can get better versions of at Hessen Haus.

 

I've got a feeling a lot of you are overlooking the name behind the ownership. Most long time locals should know there's some deep pockets and a long history behind that name that can ride out being an average brewery.

 

I came here to say this.

 

Good for them. I wasn't questioning their solvency or business model. They just won't get my money unless I happen to be in the area with friends/family and am forced to compromise.

 

Maybe it's based on when they opened or something but I always compare Exile to 515 and Confluence. Exile seems to be hitting a home run in every aspect except actually making good beer. 515 can come up with 10 new beers and 7 of them are borderline amazing. Exile comes up with 10 beers and they manage to make one that is just ok and it's a sour which are hard to judge.

 

I thought Elephant Squat and Gorilla Press were far from drain pours, but for the most part I agree with this statement. I want to like Exile, but a lot of their stuff misses the mark by a pretty wide margin.

 

I'm confused.

 

I think he's saying he likes the food and the building but not the beers?

 

I'm an idiot and a terrible reader.

 

They got ahead of the other two in getting bottles to stores and their product is available all around the metro. The only problem is I don't think their beer is very good.

 

And the thing is they had a GREAT chance to make some good beer when they hired Eric Sorensen. Unfortunately they couldn't make that work and now Des Moines/Iowa is at risk of losing a great brewer if something doesn't pop up for him soon.