Des Moines offers a local craft beer experience shaped by its neighborhoods, food scene, visitor routes, and the actual brewery options available inside the city.
This Des Moines, Iowa brewery guide is built for travelers, beer lovers, friend groups, bachelor parties, bachelorette weekends, and anyone planning a realistic craft beer route. The list below is written around brewery and craft beer stops connected to Des Moines, not copied filler from another city.
Des Moines has enough real brewery and brewery-adjacent stops for a strong city guide.
Use this guide to plan where to start, where to eat, how to pace the day, and when to use the full Beer Trail page for route planning, food stops, beer passport ideas, and transportation notes.
Featured Stops
Focused List
Planning Ready
Beer Link Included
Start with the strongest in-city brewery stop, then build around food, walkability, rideshare distance, and taproom hours. For cities with fewer than ten actual breweries, the list stays honest instead of adding unrelated businesses from neighboring cities.
Confluence Brewing Company is a smart place to begin the route because it gives the day a clear local beer anchor.
Choose roomy taprooms, brewpubs, or food-friendly beer stops so the route works for mixed groups.
Check hours before publishing or visiting because brewery schedules can change quickly.
Use the Beer Trail link at the bottom for passport ideas, route planning, and food stop organization.
Each description below is written for that specific brewery or craft beer stop, with no repeated generic brewery copy.
Confluence Brewing Company is one of Des Moines’ strongest brewery anchors, known for a broad tap list and a location that works well near trails and downtown routes. It is a smart first stop for visitors because it offers both local credibility and an easygoing taproom experience.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
Exile Brewing Company combines brewery, restaurant, and social energy in a way that works well for groups visiting Des Moines. Its beer lineup, food, and downtown access make it one of the best all-purpose stops on a city beer trail.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
Lua Brewing gives Des Moines a modern, design-forward beer experience with strong food and a creative tap list. It is one of the best stops for visitors who want a polished brewery meal, hazy IPAs, lagers, and a taproom that feels current.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
1717 Brewing Co. is a smaller local brewery that adds neighborhood character to a Des Moines route. It works well for travelers who want a less commercial stop where the beer, taproom, and local regulars are the focus.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company gives downtown Des Moines a classic brewpub option with food, beer, and a long-running entertainment district location. It is useful for visitors who want a central stop before or after restaurants, hotels, or nightlife.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
Big Grove’s Des Moines taproom brings one of Iowa’s best-known craft beer brands into the capital city. It is a strong stop for groups because the space, food, and beer selection make it easy to include on nearly any Des Moines beer itinerary.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
Peace Tree’s Des Moines branch adds another Iowa craft beer name to the city route, giving visitors access to a recognized brewery without leaving the metro core. It is a good stop for relaxed flights, familiar Iowa styles, and a casual taproom break.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
Twisted Vine Brewery adds a smaller craft stop to the Des Moines list with a focus on local beer and a comfortable taproom experience. It rounds out the route by giving visitors an option that feels less like a restaurant and more like a neighborhood brewery.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
Madhouse Brewing Company is part of the greater Des Moines beer conversation and adds another local production-beer name to the guide. It is best positioned as a stop for visitors who want to explore beyond the highest-profile taprooms and sample more of Iowa’s craft range.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
Iowa Taproom is not a single brewery, but it is one of the most useful craft beer stops in Des Moines because it showcases Iowa beer in one place. Use it as the route’s beer hall and discovery stop, especially for visitors who want variety without driving between every brewery.
This stop was selected for a Des Moines beer guide because it helps visitors build a realistic craft beer route without padding the page with unrelated breweries from other cities.
Wine Beer Tours helps visitors discover breweries, tasting rooms, food stops, and group-friendly beer routes. Use this guide to build a Des Moines beer day that is realistic, local, and easy to follow.
Want your brewery featured on WineBeerTours.com, Instagram, or in a future blog spotlight? Contact us to be featured.
This route is designed around verified local options and a realistic day plan.
Begin with Confluence Brewing Company so the route starts with the strongest city-specific beer stop.
Continue with Exile Brewing Company or another nearby craft beer stop that keeps the day convenient and social.
End with Lua Brewing or use the Beer Trail page to add food, hotel, parking, and rideshare planning.
For groups, prioritize breweries with seating, food access, outdoor space, and simple transportation. In smaller beer cities, a short high-quality route is better than a padded list.
Pair the beer route with pizza, barbecue, burgers, tacos, seafood, sandwiches, food trucks, or local restaurants near the taprooms.
Downtown and central areas: Best for visitors who want easy access to hotels, restaurants, events, and rideshare pickup.
Neighborhood taprooms: Best for a more local feel, smaller crowds, and relaxed beer tasting.
Food-friendly stops: Best for pacing the day and making the route work for mixed groups.
Nearby add-ons: Only use nearby-city breweries if the page clearly labels them as outside Des Moines.
This page does not force a fake Top 10. If Des Moines does not have ten true in-city breweries, the guide lists the realistic local options and clearly avoids padding the page with unrelated breweries.
Yes. Brewery hours, taproom status, private events, closures, and food truck schedules can change. Always confirm hours before publishing a final route or sending visitors.
Yes, but keep the route simple. Choose two to four strong stops, add food, plan transportation, and avoid overloading the day.
All Beer Trail buttons on this page go to the dedicated Des Moines, Iowa Beer Trail URL.