Brew in the 'Loo | Waterloo, IA

Last Saturday (August 24), Greg and I took a little trip northbound to Waterloo.  I'd been scouring the internet for some Eastern IA beer events and had come across Brew in the 'Loo. The 3-hour beer tasting event was held in the Waterloo Bucks' Riverfront Stadium with brewery and distributor stands set up along the home-to-first and third-to-home baselines, picnic tables in the infield, and yard games in the outfield. 

Pool & 100+ Imports at Fat Wally's | Cedar Rapids, IA

Since my move to Cedar Rapids, Greg and I have struggled to find a pool hall... or even just a bar with a pool table. Sundays in Ames were often spent at the good ol' Corner Pocket, sipping on Olde Main Dinkey Wheat, and shooting several games of pool. And, well... we've missed it!

Some digging around on the internet lead me to finding Fat Wally's. Located at 429 2nd Ave SE, I'd walked past the door several times on a few trips to and from White Star Alehouse. I hadn't known what awaited me and Greg down those stairs and into the basement drinking establishment.

Hessen Haus: Iowa's Favorite Bier Hall | Des Moines, IA

Several weeks ago (I know, I know... I'm reeeally quite late with getting this post up) Greg and I moved our good buddy Dan from our former college town of Ames up to Ankeny. To celebrate the big move, Greg, Dan, Dan's parents, and I went to one of my all-time favorite places: Hessen Haus. Hessen Haus is a German-themed bar that serves up hearty meals and a huge selection of German beers. The beer hall style atmosphere and decor is unbeatable. Besides that, I love Hessen Haus for two major reasons: 1) They have my all-time favorite beer on tap and 2) They have das boot!

Iowa Craft Beer Tent @ the Iowa State Fair | Des Moines, IA

This past weekend, Greg and I made the trip to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair. It had been the first time I'd gone to the fair since... well, that Christina Aguilera Genie in a Bottle tour concert back when I was in fifth or sixth grade. Haha. Greg and I met up with our buddy Dan for a Sunday at the fair.

I knew this State Fair experience would be better. While Greg pined away for fried butter (I know... what?!) I had my heart set on the Iowa Craft Beer Tent. It was all I'd hoped for and more. I think it was so awesome that so many Iowa craft brewers were able to get their beers out there, into the hands, and into the mouths of soooo many people. It's a great thing for Iowa beer.

Exile Brewing Co. | Des Moines, IA

Being exiled isn't really all that bad. Especially when going into Exile means spending a sunny Saturday afternoon at one of Des Moines' coolest hot spots with Greg and my friend Maeg. Exile Brewing Co. is hand-crafted brewery inspired by the immigrants and exiles that abandoned their homelands to reach for the American Dream.

Exile brews up beers Hannah, Betty, Ruthie, and Gigi, all given lovely lady names and represented by adorable pinup-esque characters. Gigi, the Munich Dunkel Lager, was my favorite sampling of Exile when I first tried their beers back at the Des Moines Craft Brew Fest.  I think they really need a Red IPA, represented by a cute redhead character. Named Jessica? ;) Yessss.