The Ultimate Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries (and Cideries)

Micro and local breweries are booming everywhere and Iowa is no different. In fact, there are so many of them that we’ve visited and love. So, I thought it was necessary to create the Ultimate Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries! We threw in a couple cideries too because we love them too! (They are listed alphabetically for organization!)

7 Hills Brewing Company – Dubuque

Dubuque is one of our favorite spots in Iowa to spend time at and 7 Hills Brewing Company just adds to that. This industrial brewery is located in the historical portion of town and I love the openness of it’s tap room! They also offer unique brews like a combination beer/margarita/Moscow mule! Plus, you need to order the hand-cut fries, which are fried to perfection. Add a unique burger and you have an entire dinner! The staff is fantastic and they even offer outside seating during the warmer months in Iowa!

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Convergence CiderWorks – Decorah

I love a good hard cider as much as I love a good beer and Convergence CiderWorks in Decorah offers several good ciders. The thing I loved most about their ciders was that they weren’t too sweet, but just sweet enough! They are also partnering with other local businesses to use products like honey and lavender in their ciders! Throw in a renovated old building and you have a great combo!

Rustic Brew – Hampton

When you first walk into Rustic Brew in downtown Hampton, you might think you’re in the wrong place! By first appearances, Rustic Brew is a coffee shop, which it is, but it’s also a microbrewery! Owners Joel & Kathy first purchased Rustic Brew as an already operating coffee shop and added the microbrews a little later. Joel is brewing all the fresh beer on premise and making unique flavors. He specializes in IPA’s, Lagers, Stouts, but they are all delicious and the laid back vibe makes it a great place to unwind on a Friday night after work!

Grab a Brew at Rustic Brew in Hampton, Iowa

Fishback & Stephenson Cider House – Fairfield

Located near Fairfield, you’ll find the expansive and beautiful grounds that are home to Fishback & Stephenson Cider House. They’ve constructed a beautiful barn-style building with a view of a pond, they are serving up unique and delicious snacks and meals and top it off with mouthwatering ciders. They aren’t only brewing their ciders with apples, but also with cherries, watermelon, and more! You can also order mixed drinks from their beautiful bar.

Limestone Brewers – Osage

Osage, population 3,600, is home to one of my very favorite breweries. Limestone Brewers, located in an old car garage, not only features a plethora of well-done beer, they have delicious pizzas (including a GF crust), and axe throwing! They often feature live local music on the weekends, have game nights, and more! It’s a great place to gather with some friends and spend several hours hanging out!

10 Reasons to Visit Osage, Iowa

River Hops Brewing – Fort Dodge

If you’re not careful, you might miss River Hops Brewing while driving in downtown Fort Dodge. This welcoming brewery not only frequently offers live music in the summer on their patio, but they have various board games available for patrons to grab and enjoy while they sip their beers. Of course, they have delicious beers to match all the other goodness they have going on which you can enjoy by the glass, take home cans or a growler, or try a flight!

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Textile Brewing Company – Dyersville

You’ll love the atmosphere at Textile Brewing Company as much as you like the delicious beer. The owners have renovated an old industrial building, which was a not only a gasoline engine factory, but a sewing factory for over 100 years. The subtle nods to it’s history is fantastic including tables made from old radiators and more! They offer delicious beers like Cascade, New Vienna, and Dandy Shandy, and they also feature massive Bavarian pretzels in various flavors and combinations! Beer and pretzels, that’s a winning combo, right?!

Toppling Goliath Brewing Co – Decorah

Located in an obscure spot right outside Decorah, you’ll find the massive Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. Their expansive beer menu and large food menu match the size of the building. They offer a traditional bar, tables, booths, and more so they can accommodate almost any size group. Pick 5 different brews to enjoy in a flight and taste test a few of their delicious beers! The industrial, open, and modern vibe makes it a fun place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a drink!

Twin Span Brewing – Bettendorf

Twin Span Brewing may be one of the newer breweries to the scene, but they have it figured out! From delicious brews like their Lifey Light or sour brews (my favorite), they offer several different types of beers so everyone can find something they like (even hard seltzers). Throw in their delicious food and cool ambiance and you have a great time!

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Second State Brewing – Cedar Falls

Located in the downtown distric of Cedar Falls, you’ll find Second State Brewing. This super casual brewery features a variety of seating, small board and card games for people to play while sipping their favorite brew and great views of the plaza area of downtown! They also offer one of the very most affordable flights ($5) that I’ve ever experienced. Take our advice and enjoy the Peach Blonde.

7 Ways to Have a Great Weekend in Cedar Falls, Iowa

1st Down Brewing Co – Winterset

The newest brewery to the scene in Winterset is Winterset, but we know the owner Sam is on to something already. A beautifully renovated and historic building paired with their Blind Side, blueberry wheat, you’ll want to keep coming back over and over!

River Ridge Brewing – Bellevue

When you find a brewery built into the side of a bluff along the Mississippi River, you never want to leave….or at least we don’t! River Ridge Brewing in the small river town of Bellevue is just that. Plus, you’ll find plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, merchandise, snacks, and frequently food trucks! It’s a great place to spend many hours on an afternoon!

Timbukbru – Iowa Falls

Downtown Iowa Falls, just one block from the Iowa River, you’ll find one of regularly visited breweries, Timbukbru. They offer a fun and funky vibe inside, rooftop and patio seating during the warm months, oversized Connect 4 to play on their patio, live music, and special events. Some times they bring in food trucks, but anytime you can bring in whatever food you’d like! We’ve been known to bring tacos and pizza with us to enjoy while having a few brews! Their beer selections often feature lagers, wheats, sours, and more! And for those that don’t like beer, they offer hard spirits, and a couple ciders from Fishback & Stephenson! We promise once you visit, you’ll want to go back as often as we do!

The Best Iowa Breweries

Iowa is fill of so many great breweries and these are just a few of them! But, we are happy to share them with you because they are some of our absolutely favorite! Whether you are ready to explore one or all of them, we hope this Ultimate Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries helps you enjoy some brews!

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