Craft Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries That Put Iowa on the Map
Nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, Dubuque is a charming city about 175 miles northeast of Des Moines that has blossomed into a vibrant hub for craft beverages. Here, you’ll find the Stone Cliff Winery, renowned for its rich, fruit-forward wines and scenic tasting room overlooking the river valley. Visitors can stroll through the vineyard trails that weave across rolling hills, absorbing panoramic views of the bluffs and water below. The winery’s commitment to blending local Iowa grapes with classic European varietals creates a unique taste profile you won’t find elsewhere in the region. Visiting in late summer or early fall offers the added delight of harvesting season, when the vineyard comes alive with activity and the air is sweet with ripe fruit.
In the heart of Iowa City, roughly 30 minutes east of Coralville, Big Grove Brewery stands as a beacon of the state’s craft beer revolution. Its flagship location near downtown is housed in a historic building that balances rustic charm with modern industrial design. Here, you can sample a rotating lineup of brews that range from crisp IPAs to rich stouts, often brewed with inventive local ingredients like Iowa-grown corn or wild herbs. The brewery’s expansive patio is a favorite spot in warm months, where patrons gather to enjoy live music and people watch. Autumn in Iowa City brings a festive energy to Big Grove, as harvest-themed beers make their debut and the surrounding tree-lined streets showcase brilliant fall foliage.
Heading west toward the small town of Decorah, about 2.5 hours north of Des Moines near the Minnesota border, you’ll find Seed Savers Exchange’s historic orchard and their newly established Seed Savers Distillery. This site is far more than a distillery; it’s a living testament to preserving Iowa’s agricultural heritage. Visitors can tour the orchard grounds, which feature heirloom apple varieties many thought lost to time. The distillery crafts small-batch spirits using these rare fruits, offering tastings that tell a story of conservation through flavor. A walk through the orchard in mid-September, when the apples are ripe and the leaves begin to turn, perfectly complements the tasting experience, filling the senses with the essence of Iowa’s land and history.
In the southern city of Cedar Rapids, about 30 minutes from Iowa City, Lion Bridge Brewing Company is a standout venue that reflects the city’s industrial past and creative present. Set inside a repurposed warehouse near the Cedar River, the brewery boasts a broad selection of beers with a focus on hop-forward styles. The open-taproom design and communal picnic tables create an inviting atmosphere for both locals and travelers. Seasonal events often feature collaborations with other Iowa breweries, making it a dynamic center of the state’s brewing network. Springtime visits reveal the nearby riverbanks bursting with wildflowers, adding a serene natural backdrop to a lively urban outing.
Traveling to the northeastern town of Maquoketa, about an hour east of Dubuque, visitors encounter Red Cedar Spirits, a distillery that champions locally sourced grains and wild botanicals. Their boutique spirit line includes gin and whiskey that showcase the flavors of the Driftless Area’s unique microclimate. The tasting room, set within a rustic barn structure, offers guided tours where you can learn about their handcrafted distillation process. The nearby Maquoketa Caves State Park adds an adventurous complement to a spirits-focused day trip, with its network of limestone caves and hiking trails inviting exploration before or after sampling the distillery’s offerings. Early fall, when the caves are less crowded and the foliage turns, presents the ideal window to enjoy both nature and craft.
In the western town of Le Mars, known as the Ice Cream Capital of the World and about 125 miles northwest of Des Moines, you’ll find the snug and welcoming concession of the Loess Hills Brewing Company. Named for the unique wind-blown loess soil formations that define the region’s landscape, this brewery celebrates the connection between place and product. Their beers often incorporate local grains and reflect the terroir of the Loess Hills, a rare geological feature not found elsewhere in the state. The brewery’s proximity to the Loess Hills Scenic Byway allows visitors to combine a tasting with a scenic drive through sweeping hills and prairie restoration sites. Mid-summer, when the native grasses and wildflowers reach their peak, is the perfect time to explore the hills before settling in for a cold, locally brewed pint.
Lastly, in the eastern Iowa town of Amana, about 20 miles west of Iowa City, sits the historic Amana Colonies, an area that’s become synonymous with hearty food, traditional crafts, and increasingly, fine wine and spirits. The Amana Winery offers tastings in a cozy cellar setting, featuring wines made from Iowa-grown grapes and fruit blends that reflect the area’s German heritage and Midwestern sensibilities. Nearby, the Amana Distillers produce schnapps and brandies that echo old-world methods with a modern twist. Exploring the village’s well-preserved communal buildings, craft shops, and German-style bakeries before settling in for a tasting makes for a deeply immersive cultural experience. Visit in the cooler months to enjoy the cozy warmth of the cellar and the seasonal festivities that bring the village to life.
From river valleys to rolling hills and historic towns, Iowa’s craft beverage scene is rooted in its distinct landscapes and local traditions. Each stop invites visitors to taste the state’s rich agricultural bounty and engage with its communities in lively, flavorful ways. Whether you’re sipping wine while watching the sunset over the Mississippi or sampling whiskey distilled from heirloom grains, Iowa offers a surprising and rewarding journey for any lover of craft brews, spirits, and wines.