I'm just wondering if there are some Ames/Des Moines beer bars that I'm missing when I make the trip down 35 from Mason City. I regularly hit/have been to Olde Main, Old Chicago, El Bait Shop/High Life, Royal Mile/Red Monk, Zombie Burger, Hessen Haus, Raccoon River, Court Ave. Brewing, Exile, Confluence. I know I need to hit Number 7. Are their places I should be going that I haven't? And for stores...Cyclone, Wheatfield Co-op, and....?
Not much else here in Ames. DG's taphouse wasn't mentioned. It's a hole and usually dead unless there's a band, but they have a nice tap selection. As for Des Moines, my only other suggestion would be Rock Bottom on University...several solid beers, including sours and barrel-aged goodness.
Boone Valley Brewing Company. Boone, IA. (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28765) Just around the corner from DG's in Ames British Foods with a big selection of British Ales (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22569/view=beerfly). The shop has moved in the last year to a new location, so the picture is still old.
Been to Boone, it's great but a little bit too far out of the way for regular hits. Ames British is pretty great as well.
I think you covered DSM for the most part. I second Rock Bottom as well. Good stuff there, much apart from many of the other Rock Bottoms. Personally I'd skip Number 7..... I dump homebrew that tastes like that.
Sounds like you've got DSM pretty well covered. I know Exile, Confluence and Number 7 are still getting their feet under them. I wouldn't give up on them just yet. /shrug
Never give up on a brewery within the first year of production. As you all know, it's not an exact science and it takes time to tinker and perfect brews. If the brewery can improve, each time you check it out, don't give up on it.
Sound advice that is never going to work outside of the realm of the beer advocate world. John Q. Public forms an opinion very quickly with products, this dictates the consumer relationship pretty much from then on. Exile and Confluence have been fine, with Confluence doing great IMO and Exile knocking food out of the park. The 2 times I've tried Number 7, it's does not suit my taste and I wouldn't even serve that out of my keezer to house guests. So IMO making the maiden voyage with a subpar ship only gets you holes in the boat and people heading for another ship for the journey. Doesn't mean they can't buy a new ship.....
I did go to Number 7. Food was good, beer was good. I would go back for sure. In fact, I might say I was more impressed by Number 7 than Exile, buy that might be hype factor. Travis, I think we saw each other at Bait Shop
