The 50 Best Beers in Iowa

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Maple, espresso, bourbon, oak, dark chocolate, and roasted malt unfold through a remarkably concentrated body. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Share a small pour near cellar temperature and let it open for several minutes. Pair it with pecan pie or blue cheese; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Citra supplies grapefruit, mango, orange, and pine above a clean pale-malt frame and firm bitterness. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Drink the freshest can available and use it to calibrate the hop flight. Pair it with tacos or sharp cheddar; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Mango, peach, orange, and resin crowd a plush body while a controlled finish keeps the enormous hop load moving. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Pour a fresh can after Pseudo Sue and compare the added saturation and weight. Pair it with spicy pizza or blue cheese; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Fresh coffee, maple, cocoa, roast, and dark caramel produce a dense but articulate imperial stout. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Let it warm in a snifter and split the bottle rather than rushing a full serving. Pair it with French toast or chocolate cake; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Bourbon, charred oak, fudge, vanilla, and dark fruit form a deep stout whose heat rewards patient sipping. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Open it with friends and give each pour time to approach cellar temperature. Pair it with brownies or aged Gouda; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Pineapple, mango, and citrus ride a rounded body with soft bitterness and a clean, juicy finish. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Choose a fresh can and compare its plush structure with Pseudo Sue’s sharper pale-ale shape. Pair it with carnitas or grilled chicken; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Cracker malt, soft grain, restrained hops, and brisk carbonation make a polished golden lager with broad appeal. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Serve it cold between stronger beers and judge it by balance and repeatability. Pair it with pork tenderloin or fries; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Mango, pineapple, citrus, and resinous hops rise from a lean base with an assertive but tidy finish. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Drink it very fresh and place it before the brewery’s stronger double IPAs. Pair it with burgers or pepper jack; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Espresso, cocoa, caramel, and lactose sweetness build a creamy stout with enough roast to preserve definition. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Let the can warm several minutes so coffee and chocolate separate. Pair it with chocolate cookies or vanilla ice cream; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Extra Citra magnifies grapefruit, mango, and orange aroma without burying the pale ale’s clean, drinkable core. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Taste it beside regular Pseudo Sue while both cans are equally fresh. Pair it with fish tacos or curry; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Light bread, honeyed grain, delicate hops, and a crisp finish deliver an unfussy lager with genuine malt character. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Serve it cold and use it as a reset between hop-forward pours. Pair it with fried chicken or pretzels; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Peach, tangerine, pineapple, and citrus fill a hazy body whose gentle bitterness emphasizes aroma over bite. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Drink it young and compare its rounded texture with Pompeii’s firmer outline. Pair it with spicy noodles or grilled pork; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Toasted bread, nuts, caramel, and mellow hops create rich malt flavor without stout-like heaviness. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Allow it to warm slightly and focus on its clean fermentation and dry close. Pair it with bratwurst or mushrooms; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Bourbon, oak, chocolate, caramel, and dark fruit settle into a warming stout built for slow, shared pours. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Treat each vintage as its own release and let the glass warm gradually. Pair it with pecan pie or blue cheese; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Citra, Strata, and Cryo hops drive ripe citrus, passionfruit, and dank resin through a plush body. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Check the package date and drink it before darker or barrel-aged beers. Pair it with hot wings or pizza; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.

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Citra, Mosaic, and Michigan Copper bring citrus and tropical fruit over a soft malt base with slight bitterness. It earns this position by adding a distinct flavor, technique, or piece of Iowa brewing identity to a balanced statewide tasting.

Drink it fresh and compare its 30-IBU balance with Big Grove’s Easy Eddy. Pair it with tacos or grilled chicken; use a clean glass, protect the package from heat and light, and give the aroma a moment to open before judging the finish.