Franklin Street Brewing Company

You won’t find many small-batch breweries that call an old Masonic Lodge building home. But there is one: Franklin Street Brewing Company, located in the vibrant downtown area of Manchester, Iowa. They opened in 2012 and not only serves up some of the best brews in the area but features an unmatched aesthetic. The historic Masonic Lodge building has been restored as close to its original condition as possible. As a result, the Franklin Street Brewing Company offers guests the charm and warmth of exposed brick interiors, authentic vintage hardware and rustic wood beams and décor complemented by open views of the brewery’s tank room and cold storage areas.

“It’s kind of a coffee shop vibe, but with beer,” says owner Kyle Sands. He and his brother Chad opened the taproom, dubbed “Manchester’s Living Room,” very near where their grandfather, M. P. “Buck” Sands, once operated a grocery store, the Sands Royal Blue. They are proud to be able to continue the family tradition of owning a welcoming business in downtown Manchester to serve residents and visitors alike.

The brewery is Green Brewing Certified and the first in the state to receive Gold Status. It operates with sustainable, socially equitable and environmentally friendly standards that are reflected and delivered in every pint of beer that slides across its bar. And those beers are plentiful. With a choice between 12 taps featuring a wide variety of beers and one tap dedicated to ciders, there is something for everyone at Franklin Street Brewing Company.

The Sands began their brewing journey on a stovetop, tinkering and perfecting their recipes to become award-winning brewers. Using only the best, premium ingredients to differentiate their ales and lagers, Franklin Street Brewing Company offers a rotating range of styles and selections, some not commonly available in this region. Visitors can expect a delicious pint of hand-crafted, locally made beer that offers distinctive improvements in quality and taste over other, more standard offerings. In addition, frequent visitors can join the Mug Club. In addition to discounted beer and merchandise, Mug Club members get their beer served in their own reusable mugs and leather coasters.

Franklin Street’s annual River Run Regatta is held just across from the brewery in the Manchester White Water Park. Using their best cardboard and tape-constructed boats, participants attempt to traverse the Manchester White Water Parks course in different contests, hoping to come away winners of categories including The Awesome sauce Award, The Red Carpet Award and, for those less fortunate, perhaps The Titanic Award.

Franklin Street Brewery offers local pizzas and occasional live music on the premises.

For more information on the brewery, awards, events, merchandise and sustainability success, visit them at www.franklinstreetbrewing.com or call 563-927-2722.

Better yet, stop in at Franklin Street Brewing Company, and while you’re there, make sure to ask Sands about the “other-worldly” guests that may inhabit and walk the floors and halls of this historic brewery!