Good root beer, good musical entertainment. Bring back Lojo Russo often! Very nice location &…read moreoutdoor seating. I don't drink alcohol but those with me who did enjoyed their drinks.

Loved this place! Great beers, fun vibe, great music. Service was on point and the bar was…read moreattentive and quick. Definitely recommend!

We love Fenceline! Such great people, crafted brews, variety, and fresh ingredients. We enjoy the…read morepatio, and the unique seating inside. Their use of the grains from their brewing makes for some excellent combinations and positive upscaling!

Best place in town to relax and have some beers, food is excellent. Come here often never…read moredisappointed staff is super friendly.

We've came here many times for a drink, to participate in puzzle league, or play bingo. They have…read morelots of large tables, some outdoor seating, and bar seating available. I usually drink a cider or the root beer on tap. I've enjoyed all the ciders I've had. Some days the staff come to your table and take your order/wait on you, other times you're in a line ordering from the bar. Overall, we enjoy some of the activities they offer and food trucks that come in for food options.

Top 3 Saturday evening spot in town. Grab a cold brew and a bite off the food truck. Kick back…read morerelax and enjoy the band. Life is good at Uptown Garage.

I love going to Shiny Top. The owner, Nate, is funny, kind and helpful. They now serve pizza which…read moreis made with their beer and is very yummy. They have big one get one half price on Wednesday's and live local music on Thursday's. They have games to play if you just want to chill and drink and a back patio to hang out if you like fresh air. Love this place and will continue to go here a lot.

Came in with 8 people. Most had the 8 inch pizza. Everyone loved it a nice selection of beer and…read morebourbon.

Excellent and great vibes. It took the bartender FOREVER to wait on us and hardly anyone was there…read more If service was better, it would be a 5 for sure. All the beer we tried was yum.

Big, uninviting, virtually undecorated space. Too hot in the summer. Too cold in the winter…read more Parking is limited and is a real problem at peak times. Products are okay but not excellent. Employees are competent and friendly but overworked. The place has akways been understaffed when I've been there. Granted that's always been during busy times.

The Firetrucker was created and raised on the shoulders of a great man, and the legend continues…read more This has become a local standout as far as breweries go! They have embraced the locals as well as the biking crowd. Being right off the high trestle trail they are perfectly located to serve the 2-wheel crowds! With occasional live music and always having a food truck roll in it is a great place to drink fantastic beers and handmade cocktails while enjoying a snack or meal from the revolving food offerings. The staff are always friendly and quick to fill your drink orders. In addition to that they have a massive selection of board and card games to help pass the time with your friends and family! Go check it out!

Great place for live music! Smaller patio but still good size. Picnic tables. Looks like you could…read moremaybe bring your own chairs. A few snacks sold inside. Huge beer menu. We had Jell-O shots on the 4th! Very friendly staff! Would definitely go back & recommend . Check it out!

Confluence: A Biker's Paradise…read more Our most recent visit to Confluence in Des Moines was short and sweet--we met up with friends, grabbed a beer, and jumped back on our bikes. It's a fantastic spot for a quick stop or to sit and enjoy. Bike parking is ample and well-thought-out, just a short walk from the expansive outdoor patio. This space is a big draw, welcoming to both humans and dogs, and it fills up fast, especially when live music draws in the crowds. A big bonus is the limited walk-up bar on the patio, where you can order and pay with cash or card, as well as a fresh, cold water spigot to fill up your water bottle or give your furry friend a drink. The beer selection is generous, with a solid variety of their own brews and guest taps. Confluence makes some truly great beers, and the Des Moines IPA is one of my go-to staples. Inside, up the stairs, you'll find a great area with a full bar and plenty of seating, offering views of the brewery's inner workings. I believe they do tours, but I can't say for sure. One thing I can say is that the restrooms are clean and cool!

Added Confluence to our route while biking on a beautiful summer Friday night because they are…read morelocated right off the trail and had a live band playing that night. Plenty of bicycle parking, outdoor shaded seating with an outdoor bar and they were hosting a food truck. More of an A/C type, there is seating inside with the main bar and a variety of board games to keep you entertained. I appreciate the wide variety of beers, including a couple sours, seltzers and NA options. Staff were friendly and super helpful! What a great night out.

If you haven't been to Twisted Vine Brewing - you should check it out. Their new location in…read moredowntown Des Moines in East Village is killer. They have two bars on the inside, a large outside area that has views of the Capitol, and furniture made by one of the team members that uses floorboards from the historical building (the building dates back to 1857!).  The brewery started as a passion project for a few of the original founders who were homebrewing by opening a three barrel system in a 20 by 20 space inside Madison County Winery. Since then they have moved twice (now into this new location), as they keep needing more space and keep improving! I got their newly tapped Kolsch and shared a flight while checking out the space and getting a tour by one of the owners. Capitol View Kolsch: A Kolsch served in a German stein. It uses an ale yeast, noble hops that provide a low spicy flavor / aroma, and a light pilsner malt with doughy notes. Light bodied, crisp, and dry. Refreshing on a hot Summer day. Their flights are HUGE, so I had to call in re-enforcements, but got the job done. The flight included: First Run Blonde (Blonde Ale), Bob's Ale (Cream Ale), Cali-Steam Collaboration (California Common), DeVine IPA (IPA), Triclops Tripel (Tripel), There's An APPricot For That (Guest Apricot Sour from 7 Hills Brewing), and Copper Alt (Guest Altbier from Zipline Brewing). A couple of my favorite are below. DeVine IPA: A Session IPA at 4.4% ABV. Mild fruity flavors reminiscent of pear, apple, and pineapple. Medium bitterness and a white bread malt profile. Similar to a West Coast style iPA with some low pine / resin flavors as well. Bob's Ale: A classic Cream Ale. Light-bodied, straw/yellow colored, with a low creamed corn malt flavor. Dry, crisp, clean and easy drinking. Cali-Steam Collaboration: A California Common brewed in collaboration with O.S.H.O. out of Arizona. A slight toasted bread-crust malt flavor with a hint of fruitiness. Nothing overpowering, but with a tandem of flavors for this hybrid lager-ale style. Enjoyable on a warm or hot day. Give Twisted Vine a shot next time you are in Des Moines! _________________

I had never been to the Twisted Vine. I had been wanting to check this place out since they…read moreopened. I came down for a baby shower. It was a great space. The shower had the run of the place. It was neat seeing the old safe and walking through it. The place was very open and inviting. They even had football on the tvs. Definitely will be returning.

Great little place to have some amazing beer. The rotating taps keep it fresh. Beer tender was…read morehelpful and knowledgeable about what's on tap.

Cute, local dive bar with intimate seating and a nice outdoor area. Plenty of variety when it comes…read moreto beers and the bartender (Jason) was patient in helping us find our perfect selection. Would definitely recommend stopping if you are in area.