The Iowa Craft Brewery Trail is a self-guided itinerary connecting visitors with independent brewing operations across Des Moines and the surrounding region in Iowa. The trail is promoted by the Iowa Craft Beer organization, which maintains a statewide directory of member breweries at iowacraftbeer.com, allowing travelers to customize their route by neighborhood, style preference, or opening hours.
A typical Des Moines circuit begins at Confluence Brewing Company at 1235 Thomas Beck Rd near the Des Moines River. Confluence is one of Iowa's founding craft breweries, established in the early 2010s, and its riverside taproom is a standard starting point for first-time visitors to the trail. From there, common stops include Exile Brewing Co. near the Ingersoll Avenue neighborhood, Court Avenue Brewing Company in the downtown core, and Barnside Brewing, each with distinct taproom atmospheres and rotating draft lineups. Beer flights at each venue typically cost $8 to $16 and include four to six sample pours.
Most taprooms serve food in-house or partner with rotating food trucks, providing a natural pairing element alongside the beer selections. Group size is unrestricted on the self-guided format, and most taprooms are family-friendly during daytime hours, transitioning to 21-plus environments in the evenings. The trail is accessible year-round; winter visits tend to offer quieter taproom settings and more time for conversation with brewing staff.
Visitors pacing a four- to six-hour circuit should plan three to four brewery stops to stay within responsible consumption limits. Rideshare services are active throughout Des Moines and are strongly recommended for multi-stop brewery visits, as the taprooms are spread across different neighborhoods requiring short drives between them. Iowa law permits taproom patrons to purchase sealed growlers, crowlers, and packaged cans for off-site consumption, extending the tasting experience beyond the visit day itself.
The trail offers an accessible and flexible entry point into Iowa's growing craft beer culture, which has expanded significantly since the state liberalized brewery licensing laws in 2010.
What is included
- Brewery taproom visits
- Beer flights
- Food pairings where available
- Des Moines breweries include Exile, Confluence, Court Avenue Brewing
Good to know
- Operator
- Self-guided; iowacraftbeer.com lists all member breweries
Location
Start at Confluence Brewing, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
41.5587, -93.6362 View on map
Highlights
- Visit founding Iowa craft breweries including Confluence, Exile, and Court Avenue Brewing across Des Moines neighborhoods
- Sample regional styles from flagship IPAs to seasonal farmhouse ales with flights priced $8–16 per taproom
- Explore Iowa's rapidly expanding craft beer culture with a flexible, self-guided itinerary via iowacraftbeer.com
- Discover food truck partnerships and taproom kitchens that pair local bites with each brewery's rotating draft list
Tips for visiting
- Use rideshare services between taprooms — Des Moines DART buses serve some areas but not all brewery locations
- Pace visits to three or four breweries over four to six hours; flights average four to six small pours each
- Check iowacraftbeer.com for current member hours before planning — some taprooms close on Mondays or Tuesdays
- Weekday afternoon visits offer smaller crowds and more time to speak with brewing staff about their recipes
- Many taprooms allow outside food or host food trucks on weekends — check individual venue social pages in advance
Frequently asked questions
Is the Iowa Craft Brewery Trail a guided tour?
The trail is primarily self-guided. The Iowa Craft Beer organization maintains a map and directory at iowacraftbeer.com, but no fixed commercial guided tour operates along a set route on a regular schedule.
How many breweries are on the trail?
Iowa Craft Beer lists dozens of member breweries statewide. A typical Des Moines day-trip circuit connects three to four breweries within a manageable rideshare or walking distance of each other.
Are the taprooms family-friendly?
Most taprooms welcome families during daytime hours, typically until 6 or 8 PM. Visitors should confirm individual venue policies before arriving with children, as policies vary by location.
Can visitors purchase beer to take home?
Yes. Iowa law permits taprooms to sell sealed growlers, crowlers, and packaged cans for off-site consumption, making it easy to bring home samples of Iowa craft beer.