Unearth Iowa's Liquid Gold: A Journey Through Its Premier Breweries

Toppling Goliath: The Titan of Iowa Brewing

Toppling Goliath, affectionately known as TG, stands as an undisputed icon within Iowa's brewing community. Since its inception in 2009 by Clark and Barbara Lewey, TG has earned legendary status for its hop-forward ales, such as Pseudo Sue, and its formidable barrel-aged stouts, including the globally acclaimed Assassin and Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout (KBBS). KBBS, once a humble release with only six attendees in 2012, rapidly ascended to become one of the world's rarest and most highly-rated beers, consistently topping charts on platforms like BeerAdvocate and RateBeer, and securing gold at the 2021 U.S. Open Beer Championship. Their Double Barrel Assassin even achieved a remarkable fourth place among Untappd's top-rated beers since 2021. Beyond its potent stouts, TG also excels in crafting approachable pale ales and IPAs, solidifying its reputation as an essential stop for any beer pilgrimage to Iowa.

Lua Brewing: Des Moines' Rising Star and National Brewpub Champion

To truly grasp the essence of Lua Brewing, one need only visit on a Friday evening. General Manager Pete Holmgren cherishes these shifts, witnessing the vibrant energy that fills Lua's taproom. Since being crowned the country's best brewpub by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Lua's space, featuring two large garage doors opening onto a lively outdoor patio, has consistently been bustling. Holmgren notes the infectious good mood shared by both staff and patrons, highlighting its inclusive atmosphere for families, dogs, and individuals of all ages. This welcoming environment, coupled with their exceptional beers, led to Lua Brewing's inclusion in \"The Best Breweries to Watch in 2025.\" Opening in November 2019, Lua quickly achieved a stellar 4.22 overall rating on Untappd, with over 400 beers and 139,000 check-ins. Under founders Scott and Whitney Selix, and Head Brewer Zack Dunbar, Lua has garnered numerous accolades, including thirty-three medals at the Untappd Community Awards, with twelve golds across diverse categories like German Pils, Berliner Weisse, and Triple Hazy IPA. As they celebrate their fifth anniversary, Lua Brewing’s future appears exceptionally bright.

Pulpit Rock Brewing Company: Decorah's Craft Beer Gem

Pulpit Rock Brewing Company emerged as a dominant force at this year's Untappd Community Awards, leading all Iowa breweries with an impressive thirty-one medals. Their eleven gold medals spanned a wide array of styles, from \"Stout – Imperial / Double Pastry\" to \"Barleywine – American\" and \"IPA – American,\" showcasing their remarkable versatility. Nestled in an old dairy building in Decorah, Pulpit Rock has become a community cornerstone, a notable achievement given its proximity to the renowned Toppling Goliath. Established in 2015 by four Luther College alumni, the brewery embraces its modest Midwestern roots while striving for global acclaim. The name itself, referencing Norway's Preikestolen, reflects a deep sense of connection. This dedication to community and quality permeates every aspect of the brewery, evident in its highly-rated beers and local engagements. In less than a decade, Pulpit Rock has cemented its reputation with a robust 4.21 rating on Untappd from over 226,000 ratings, a testament to its consistent excellence.

Big Grove Brewery: Expanding Horizons in Iowa's Craft Scene

Founded in 2013 by Doug Goettsch, Faye Swift, and Matt Swift, Big Grove Brewery has blossomed across Iowa, now operating four thriving locations. The founders’ initial vision, as articulated by Swift in a celebratory post marking the brewery’s decade anniversary, was to \"give people a reason to leave their living room.\" While starting with a focus on beer, Big Grove has diversified its offerings to include spirit-based seltzers and cannabis-infused sparkling waters, catering to a broader audience. Yet, their core commitment remains steadfast: to produce \"clean, effervescent, aromatic beers using the best ingredients.\" Their portfolio includes Iowa's top-selling IPA, Easy Eddy, and the namesake Big Grove IPA. The \"Eddy Family\" series, alongside citrus-focused \"Citrus Surfer\" beers, sours, hop-forward ales, and traditional lagers and stouts, highlight their diverse brewing capabilities. At this year's Untappd Community Awards, Big Grove earned twenty-seven medals, including five golds for styles like Munich Dunkel, Hefeweizen, and American Lager, underscoring their consistent quality and broad appeal.

Confluence Brewing Company: Crafting Community in Des Moines

Confluence Brewing embodies the perfect harmony of good times and exceptional beer. Established in 2012 by homebrewer and former construction management professional John Martin and fellow enthusiast Ken Broadhead, this Des Moines brewery quickly gained recognition for its high-quality brews. What began with Martin personally delivering beer from his family's Suburban soon grew through enthusiastic word-of-mouth. Today, Confluence remains deeply committed to its Iowa heritage, with core values centered around \"craft,\" \"camaraderie,\" and \"community.\" They firmly believe that bringing people together over great beer fosters positive connections. Notable offerings include the Des Moines IPA, proudly representing the Hawkeye State with its blend of two-row barley, crystal malts, and Pacific Northwest hops, and Farmer John’s Multi-Grain Ale, a tribute to the founder's farming roots, crafted with a rich variety of grains. At the recent Untappd Community Awards, Confluence garnered twenty-four awards, including gold medals for Scotch Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Golden Ale, and Smoked Beer, further cementing their reputation for diverse and expertly crafted brews.

Field Day Brewing Company: A Destination for Czech and German Beer Excellence

Brewing talent clearly runs in the family for the Selixes. Following in his brother Scott's footsteps from Lua Brewing, Joe Selix launched Field Day Brewing in August 2023, creating a sprawling 20,000-square-foot complex designed for comprehensive enjoyment. This impressive venue features a duckpin bowling alley, an outdoor beer garden, fire pits with Adirondack chairs overlooking nearby bike trails, a children’s playground, and a full brewpub menu. While the atmosphere is all about fun and games, Field Day approaches its Czech and German lager brewing with serious dedication. Utilizing a custom-built brewhouse, they meticulously craft traditional Czech pale lagers with double decoction, Moravian malt, and Czech hops, served authentically through LUKR side-pull faucets. Their German beers strictly adhere to the Reinheitsgebot purity law. This commitment to traditional brewing excellence was recognized at this year’s Untappd Community Awards, where Field Day earned ten gold medals for beers including Czech Dark Lager, Kölsch, Helles, Festbier, and German Pilsner, distinguishing itself as a unique and exceptional brewery within Iowa.

Adventurous Brewing: Pushing the Boundaries of Flavor

As Iowa's third highest-rated brewery on Untappd, Adventurous Brewing lives up to its name by consistently crafting bold and innovative beers. Their impressive 4.18 rating on Untappd is a testament to their daring approach to brewing. Among their standout creations are the Untappd Community Awards gold medal-winning Barrel Aged Hooked on Filling, an imperial milk stout infused with chocolate cookies and milk sugar, and Heavenly Memories (pecan & granola), a unique brew aged with house-roasted pecans and vanilla granola. These creative concoctions demonstrate Adventurous Brewing's commitment to pushing flavor boundaries and providing a truly unique tasting experience for their patrons.

Dimensional Brewing Company: Reviving Dubuque's Brewing Legacy

Dimensional Brewing Company, ranking as Iowa's fifth highest-rated brewery on Untappd, operates under the philosophy: \"What Dubuque makes, makes Dubuque.\" Drawing inspiration from Dubuque's rich brewing history dating back to the late 1800s, Dimensional has successfully modernized this tradition. Since its establishment in 2018 by co-founders Jeff Burds and Tom Rauen, the brewery has revitalized an old Atlast Fluid Power Co. building. Today, Dimensional is celebrated for its sensational sours, meticulously crafted IPAs, and robust stouts, earning a commendable 4.12 rating on Untappd. Their acclaimed beers include the gold medal-winning 3 Ninjas TIPA and the rich Jumbled Up (Caramel Latte) coffee stout. Dimensional Brewing stands as a vibrant testament to Dubuque's enduring brewing heritage.

Marto Brewing Company: A Fusion of Award-Winning Beer and Culinary Excellence

Marto Brewing Company is the brainchild of Erik Martin, whose wife's observation about his homebrewing passion ignited the idea of a potential entrepreneurial venture. Martin dedicated himself to mastering the craft, immersing himself in brewing literature, podcasts, and countless recipe refinements. Since its opening in July 2019, Marto Brewing has served Sioux City with not only exceptional beers but also an outstanding culinary program. Their beers have garnered significant recognition, including gold medals at the 2024 U.S. Open Beer Championship for Razzle and Midnight Speciál Dark Lager, and a gold at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival for Lavender Fields Forever. Beyond the brews, Marto is renowned for its mouth-watering food, particularly Erik's Brew Burger, a fan-favorite featuring Certified Angus Beef, bacon jam, marinated onions, tomatoes, and arugula on a toasted challah bun. Marto Brewing is an essential visit for anyone in the Sioux City area seeking a complete and satisfying experience.

Clock House Brewing: Timeless Craft in Cedar Rapids

Situated in a historic 107-year-old former clock house in downtown Cedar Rapids, Clock House Brewing offers a timely (pun intended) destination for quality craft beer. Founder Todd Viall's journey into brewing began after tasting his uncle's homebrew, inspiring him to become a homebrewer himself in 1994. The idea of opening his own brewery materialized after a fortuitous conversation at a baseball game with the owner of Black Sheep Social Club. In 2017, Clock House opened its doors in a 2,600-square-foot space behind the restaurant. Nearly eight years later, Clock House continues to cater to diverse palates in Cedar Rapids, offering a wide range of beers. Their current tap list showcases everything from a unique pineapple jalapeno fruited sour and a Belgian Quadrupel to their flagship hazy IPA, Witch Slap®. With a solid 4.07 rating on Untappd, Clock House Brewing stands as the seventh-highest rated brewery in Iowa, a testament to its consistent quality and enduring appeal.