Trails & Trails SUMMER 2023

President /Publisher

Jeffrey D. Bricker

Vice President / Editor

Cyndi C. Bricker

Assistant Editor

Alyssa L. Ochs

Sales Manager

Jo Cloud

Staff Writers

Alyssa L. Ochs

Gerald Dlubala

Bricker Publishing

Division of: Bricker Group, LLC

1409 13th Street North Humboldt, IA 50548

E-mail:

editor@BrickerPublishing.com

Website: www.Trails-Tales.net

Iowa Trails & Tales is located in Humboldt, Iowa, printed and distributed Free quarterly to visitors, tourists and to anyone interested in the Craft Beverage industry in the state. Opinions expressed in Iowa Trails & Tales are not necessarily those of the publication personnel, but of the writers who contribute editorial to the publication. ERROR RESPONSIBILTY: Iowa Trails & Tales is responsible only for the cost of the ad for the first incorrect insertion of the ad. Each insertion of an advertisement is proof of publication and it is the responsibility of the advertiser to check the correctness of each insertion. The Publisher shall not be liable for slight aesthetic changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the intent of the ad. No adjustment can be made for advertisements not published. In the event of any error in an ad for which the publisher is liable, the liablility is limited to adjusting that portion occupied by the error in relationship to the entire value of the advertisement. No adjustments will be made 30 days after initial insertion date. Content is accurate to the best of the Publisher’s knowledge at time of press.

All Contents of IOWA Trails & Tales are

Copyright © by Bricker Group, LLC

Welcome to IOWA Trails & Tales Travel Guide, a FREE publication dedicated to promoting Iowa’s unique Craft Beverage Producers. Whether you are just getting started on your craft beverage experience or you are a seasoned pro, we make it easy to discover Iowa’s craft beverages to ensure you have the best possible experience!

As home to more than 200+ craft Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries, this convenient Iowa Guide helps you find the craft beverages you want to experience. Browse the Guide, find the Regions you will be visiting and get started on your craft beverage journey. In addition to highlighting beverage makers in each Region, we also include areas of interest to help make your stay with us most enjoyable.

Our website gives you more ways to explore Iowa’s craft beverage scene, including a full listing of every Winery, Brewery and Distillery Trail in Iowa, a Calendar for special events, a full craft beverage trail listing, and more: www.trails-tales.net. We hope you will discover what makes Iowa’s craft beverage makers so special and enjoy your exploration of our friendly and beautiful state!

Editorial Content

Plan a Craft Beverage-Inspired Family Vacation this

Plan a Craft Beverage-Inspired Family Vacation This Summer!

by Alyssa L. Ochs

The kids are out of school, the parents could use a break, and everyone is craving a change of scenery. Summer is the most popular time of the year for travel in Iowa, and you can plan many different types of trips throughout our state’s distinct regions. Many people think of wine and craft beer trails as adult-only adventures, which is mainly true. However, you can still embrace your love for locally made beer, wine and spirits if you have kids and as part of a family vacation in Iowa this summer.

Here are some ideas for summer family fun in Iowa, with a few highly recommended and kid-friendly craft beverage stops along the way.

Iowa Summer Fun for Families

Outdoor recreation opportunities are abundant in Iowa and wonderfully paired with craft beverages for some refreshment after a day out in the wilderness. For boating and water sports, head to the Iowa Great Lakes around the town of Okoboji.

Arnolds Park | CREDIT: TOM GUSTAFSON, COURTESY OF OKOBOJI TOURISM

You can rent a family cabin at Lake Icaria, hike along the lake at Lake Macbride and find some peace and quiet at Briggs Wood Park. Some of the best kid-friendly hikes that are a mile or less but still scenic and adventurous are the Wildcat Cave Trail in the Wildcat Cave Wildlife Area, Table Rock Loop in Ledges State Park and Bridal Veil Trail at Pikes Peak State Park.

Fishing is a favorite pastime among Iowa families, with the top fishing spots of Green Valley Lake in southwest Iowa, Lake Ahquabi in central Iowa and Black Hawk Lake in northwest Iowa. It’s also fun to play a round of minigolf with the kids at an Iowa mini-golf course, such as Lost Island in Waterloo, Pirate’s Point in Storm Lake or Derby Grange in Dubuque.

If it feels too hot, humid or rainy to

Iowa Craft Beverages

be outside, there are still plenty of opportunities for fun with your family in Iowa. You can visit some of the many fascinating museums throughout the state, such as the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs (southwest region), the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque (northeast region) or the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines (central region). There’s also the option of riding on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, which offers fantastic train rides in the summer months in central Iowa. In addition to taking a ride, your kids can learn more about trains at the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum in Boone.

Many families choose to make one of the following Iowa cities their home base to explore the broader areas.

(Continued on Page 39)

Northwest Iowa’s Great Lakes Are a Perfect Destination

Lake life is a way of life in north west Iowa, a region with abundant water and excellent opportunities for summer recreation. Water adventures are possible here year-round, but summer is the prime time to visit the region if you love being out on a boat, kayak or canoe.

Okoboji is a local hotspot, a resort community among the Iowa Great Lakes. But if you want to end your water excursions with a refreshing beverage in hand, you’ll want to venture out further to the neighboring commu-

by Alyssa L. Ochs

nities of Fort Dodge, Clear Lake, Mason City and Sioux City. Romantic lakeside getaways, fun family vacations and reunions with your best buddies are all within reach when you find yourself in northwest Iowa.

Summertime for Craft Beverage Businesses

From the production side of things, there is much to do in the summer for craft beverage businesses. For vineyards, this is the time of year that sets the stage for harvest and the finish line

Fillenwarth Beach on West Okoboji

time for grapes. Vineyard workers stay busy with canopy management, removing leaves and positioning shoots. There are also the summer issues of dealing with rain, heat, humidity and drought.

Travelers should also know that summer is when many breweries and distilleries participate in events and competitions. They may even need to hire new staff to help host onsite events and set up tents at local art and music festivals. So, pack your patience when visiting a new brewery, winery or distillery, and we’re confident it will be worth the wait.

Beverage Travel Routes in Northwest Iowa

If you have yet to explore the craft beverage trails in Iowa, the northwestern part of the state is a great place to start. Here are some craft beverage trails that incorporate multiple stops at breweries, wineries and distilleries to give you a taste of what the region offers.

• Cedar Falls Beer Trail

• Lyon

• Sioux

• Plymouth

• Woodbury

• Monona

• Osceola

• O’Brien

• Cherokee

• Ida

• Crawford

• Dickinson

• Clay

• Buena Vista

• Sac

• Carroll

• Emmet

• Palo Alto

• Pocahontas

• Calhoun

• Kossuth

• Humboldt

• Webster

• Winnebago

• Hancock

• Wright

• Hamilton

• Western Iowa Beer Trail

• Western Iowa Wine Trail

• Iowa Craft Beer Passport

• Iowa Distillery Pass

Featured Destinations and Services in Northwest Iowa

Plum Creek Winery is seven miles northeast of Algona and makes wines with grapes grown on its approximately two acres of land. The winery is open between 10 am and 6 pm in the summer on Wednesdays through Sundays.

River Valley Orchards & Winery is a Humboldt, Iowa destination with a 12acre farm that makes 19 wines, almost exclusively made with fruit grown on the farm. It offers tours, wine samples and also opportunities to try mead from honey obtained just eight miles south of the farm.

Tractor Lift Brewery operates in Humboldt, Iowa and offers a cozy vibe for travelers in the state’s northwest region. This nano-brewery is a top-rated

brew spot among locals.

Shiny Top Brewery is located in Fort Dodge and has a friendly atmosphere to go with its tasty beer. Pizza, beer, cocktails and live music…what else do you need for a fun night out?!

Century Farms Distillery focuses on the farms and families who grow the corn to make its whiskey in Spencer, Iowa. The distillery has a kid-friendly tasting room and an event calendar.

S&B Farm Distillery is a seed-to-spirit distillery that grows grains on its very own farm. Visit this distillery in Bancroft on Tuesday through Saturday afternoons this summer to try these spirits yourself.

Wildcat Distilling Co. is an awesome place to be in northwest Iowa if you

love whiskey. It has a tasting room in Webster City and offers guided tastings on the first Saturday of every month.

Summer Events & Festivals in Northwest Iowa

Here in northwest Iowa, numerous festivals have a craft beverage component built into them. Head to the beer garden at these festivals to try locally produced beverages and get to know the major producers in the area. The region also has plenty of other festivals and events to keep you busy all summer.

• Western Days: Each June in Lake City you can celebrate western culture with a rodeo, street dance, beer garden, fun run, craft sale, fireworks and much more.

• RiseFest: Is a family-friendly Christian music festival in Sheldon held on June 9-10, 2023.

• Ice Cream Days: In Le Mars there’s no bad day to enjoy ice cream, but the best days are June 14-17, 2023, when Le Mars hosts its Ice Cream Days. There will be a parade, carnival and so much deliciousness!

• Star Spangled Spectacular: Storm Lake hosts an exciting 4th of July celebration, and this year’s event will occur on July 3 and 4.

• Sioux City 4th of July Celebration: Another highly recommended 4th of July celebration occurs in Sioux City. The events typically include a parade, music festival,

band concert, baseball game and fireworks show.

• Flagfest: In Spencer on July 9-11, Flagfest will have its 39th annual celebration with a parade and other festive events.

• Sweet Corn Days: This August in Estherville enoy a multi-day festival celebrating all things corn. The festival events include a fishing competition, bags tournament, golf tournament, parade, car show and pool party.

• Wall Lake Farm Festival: Small-town festival at Wall Lake which takes place over two days in August and has a parade, beer garden, 5K race, tractor rides and other farm-themed activities.

Regional Attractions for Summer Fun

To help you embrace the summer vibes in northwest Iowa, here are some outdoorsy ideas to combine your craft beverage stops with a bit of exercise and adventure.

• Camping: Camping is available at private campgrounds and public parks in northwest Iowa. Some top camping destinations are Lazy H Campground, Rivers Bend Campground and Black Hawk State Park.

• Hiking: For hiking, make sure to check out the Ledges Canyon Trail in Boone and Lake Trail in Webster City. Another great northwest Iowa hike is the Plumb Alley Trail in Forest City.

• West Okoboji Lake: This is one of the best lakes in the Midwest, spanning 3,847 acres of beautiful water

Rustic River is a family owned winery gem in rural Iowa. Come and relax on the patio overlooking four acres of grapes. Visit the tasting room and enjoy our award winning wines.

April-December Hours:

Fridays 5-7pm Saturday 2-7pm

Sundays 1-5pm

Hours Vary Seasonally

Follow us on Facebook @ Rustic River Winery & Vineyard

712-660-1525

and surrounded by natural landscapes. The lake is ideal for fishing, watersports, boating, picnicking, relaxing on the beach or at Arnolds Park Amusement Park.

• Other Attractions: Definitely make a point to visit Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend. Other must-see

local attractions are the Buddy Holly Memorial Site in Clear Lake and the National Hobo Museum in Britt.

Find Your Fun on a Trip to Northwest Iowa

Summer is a beautiful time to spend in northwest Iowa as you embrace your love of the lake lifestyle, visit local businesses and relax with a refreshing beverage. To learn more about the region and its craft beverage offerings, visit our website...

www.trails-tales.net

Get Outdoors & Sip Something New in Northeast Iowa This Summer by

If you are looking for a perfect mix of outdoor recreation and exploring local businesses, a trip to northeast Iowa might be the perfect solution this summer. This part of the state is packed with fun ways to get outside, from hiking the trails at Cedar Falls to paddling at a whitewater park plus fishing and exploring the waterways in a canoe.

The eastern Iowa city of Cedar Rapids is easily accessible from the small towns and rural communities of northeast Iowa, adding some arts, culture and events into your trip with just a short drive. To plan your itinerary, it’s also fun to incorporate a craft beverage

Alyssa L. Ochs

trail into your vacation to see what the local breweries, wineries and distilleries offer.

Summertime for Craft Beverage Businesses

In the summer, visitors will find craft beverage tasting rooms a bit livelier and often filled with music and games. But with the high temperatures and dry conditions, production often slows down because of how the weather impacts the processes of making spirits, beer and wine. Summer impacts on production are linked to everything from malting to mashing, fermenting and distilling.

Upper Iowa River fishing near Bluffton, Iowa

Yet your local vineyards, in particular, are especially busy at this time of the year. When you visit a vineyard, you may see the employees working on vertical shoot positioning, bud rubbing and shoot selection. Tucking in, wire lifting and canopy securing with foliage clips are other common vineyard tasks in the summer.

Beverage Trails in Northeast Iowa

Are you interested to learn more about craft beverage production in Northeast Iowa? Here are a few regional and statewide trails to get you started!

• Northeast Iowa Beer Trail

• Iowa Wine Trail

• Iowa Craft Beer Passport

Northeast Iowa Featured Craft Producers

Winneshiek Wildberry Winery: Offers lovely views from its patio to go with its friendly wine experience on a 150-year-old family farm outside Decorah, Iowa.

• Worth

• Mitchell

• Howard

• Winneshiek

• Allamakee

• Cerro Gordo

• Floyd

• Chickasaw

• Fayette

• Clayton

• Franklin

• Butler

• Bremer

• Hardin

• Grundy

• Black Hawk

• Buchanan

• Delaware

• Dubuque

• Benton

• Linn

• Jones

• Jackson

Iowa Grape Vines Winery: A small, family-owned winery in Maquoketa, Iowa produces dry-to-sweet wines plus ice cream in the summer months.

Promiseland Winery: Located in the southern hills of Guttenberg, Iowa, has a spacious tasting room & a nice courtyard to enjoy music in the summer.

ARTISANAL BREWS Made with Tender Loving Care

by Tom, Linda & Carol

Hours:

Thursday.................. 4:00pm - 10:00 pm

Friday....................... 4:00pm - 11:00 pm

Saturday................. 11:00am - 11:00 pm

Sunday ..................... 11:00am - 6:00 pm

947 Main Street, Holy Cross, IA 52053

Phone: 563-210-2750

Website: tlcbrewworks.com

Empty Nest Winery: Near Waukon, offers wine, sangria, beer and hard ciders, so a little something for everyone. Stop by in the summer to relax and enjoy the family-friendly outdoor games and free popcorn.

Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.: Offers over 40 beers that rotate throughout the year in Decorah. You can join many fun events at the taproom, such as bingo, euchre and trivia.

TLC Brew Works: A brewery in Holy Cross. Here you’ll find a one-BBL nano-brewery with an onsite taproom serving artisan brews made with tender, loving care. There are typically about a dozen offerings on tap, including various beers, hard cider and hard seltzer.

Northeast Iowa Destinations & Information

Bluffton Resort and Bar: is a favorite summertime destination in Bluffton, for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy a

We serve our menu all day and invite you to relax and enjoy award winning wine, food and flavors of Winneshiek Wildberry Winery. For more information on wines, foods and events visit our website listed below.

good drink after an epic day of adventure. Make your campground reservation today so you can get away to unwind, relax, hike, kayak, fish, and listen to live music with a craft beverage.

Cedar Falls Tourism: Check this tourism website for summer event listings

and travel planning tools in the Cedar Falls, Iowa area.

Travel Dubuque Welcome Center: The “Taste” page of this visitor bureau website is an excellent resource for where to eat and drink in Dubuque, Iowa.

Summer Events & Festivals in Northeast Iowa

Local events start picking up in June, July and August in northeast Iowa. You can find many events to attend in the small towns and nearby larger cities, many of which have craft beverage tents set up for you to try a local drink or two. Here are some events you may want to check out in the region!

• 17th Annual Independence BrewBQ: Save the date for August 26, 2023, because this is when you can

IOWA GRAPE VINES

•

combine your love of craft beer and slow-cooked barbecue in Independence, Iowa. The event hosts over 100 craft brews with two pass options. Food and drinks are available starting at noon at Riverwalks Parks. There’s a bike race in the morning and bands playing live music in the late afternoon and evening.

• My Waterloo Days: Visit Waterloo, Iowa on June 8-11, 2023, you can attend this free community event showcasing the best of Waterloo. There will be a parade, concerts, vendors, kids’ events and much more you don’t want to miss.

• Strawberry Days: On the second weekend in June, plan to visit the Strawberry Point for a carnival, parade, music and food.

• Sweet Corn Days: Celebrate northeast Iowa’s corn culture with a visit to Elkader, Iowa and ejoy this festival July 27-30, 2023. It will be a weekend filled with live music, activities and delicious corn this summer.

Attractions for Summer Fun

Outdoor recreation pairs perfectly with a locally brewed beer, wine with

Iowa-grown grapes or cocktail made with real Iowa ingredients. Here are ways to get active and outside along a craft beverage trail route in northeast Iowa.

• Camping: If you want to get in touch with nature and enjoy more time outside in beautiful northeast Iowa, some camping options are available for tents and RVs. Here are a few of the highly rated campgrounds ...

Spook Cave & Campground in McGregor, Iowa

Pulpit Rock Campground in Decorah, Iowa

Bluffton Campground & Bar in Bluffton, Iowa

Morwood Campground & Resort in Hazleton Iowa

• Hiking: Want to exercise while exploring northeast Iowa on foot? You’re in luck because the region has some great trail systems. Some of our favorite spots for hiking are Effigy Mounds National Monument, Yellow River State Forest and Mt. Hosmer City Park.

• Lakes: Check out Lake Meyer, the lake covers 38 acres and offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and canoeing or kayaking. A network of trails offers hiking, and picnic shelters and a playground make it the perfect spot for family gatherings and events.

Volga Lake where Anglers can expect to find a variety of fish including Black Crappie, Bluegill, Carp, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass

and Yellow Perch.

• Lost Island Themepark: This theme park in Waterloo, Iowa is popular for family attractions and thrill rides in Waterloo. During your visit, you’ll also find water rides, playgrounds, an arcade and dining options.

Come Visit Northeast Iowa

If you’re ready for some northeast Iowa adventures, now is a great time to start planning your trip! You can learn more about craft beverage destinations and summer events in this region by visiting our website...

www.trails-tales.net

PromiseLand is the perfect destination for a day trip! Right off of the Great River Road, which provides gorgeous views of the Iowa countryside. Our indoor space includes six boutiques that will fulfill your shopping and snacking needs, and our menu features a variety of freshly-baked pizzas if you’re craving something a little more. Our back courtyard is the beloved home to live music on Sunday afternoons, featuring wonderful local and regional talent (March through November).

The Craft Beverage Scene Is Heating Up This Summer in Central Iowa

by Alyssa L. Ochs

Lots of people head to central Iowa in the summertime to take advantage of the lovely weather, great bike trails and endless fun for family vacations. Here in central Iowa, some of the best ways to spend a summer day include exploring the acres of wetlands and forests at Grimes Farm, hiking the Marshalltown-area trails and fishing at the Green Castle Recreation Area.

Meanwhile, a lot of craft beverage-related activity picks up during the summer months, which is good to know if you enjoy a locally made glass of beer,

wine or spirits. Des Moines is the local hot spot for craft beverage happenings, making it an excellent home base for exploring the broader central Iowa region as you treat and refresh yourself along the way.

Summertime for Craft Beverage Businesses

During the summer season, local wineries are busy with a variety of tasks in central Iowa. These jobs include shoot thinning, tucking and leaf pulling.

Photo Credit: Adventureland Park - Altoona, Iowa

On the distillery side of things, this is the time of the year when distillery employees may get a break because it is difficult to control fermentation in the hot summer months with high humidity levels. Therefore, this is a time when your favorite distilleries may be catching up with maintenance, repairs and equipment upgrades. Breweries in central Iowa are a prominent part of the local festival scene in the summer, so expect to see many familiar craft breweries setting up tents for musical concerts, art fairs and community gatherings.

Beverage Trails in Central Iowa

Overwhelmed with options and not sure where to begin with a craft beverage-inspired vacation in central Iowa? Base your trip around one of these craft beverage trails to guide your journey:

• Backroads Wine Trail

• Heart of Iowa Wine Trail

• Des Moines Metro Beer Trail

• Iowa Beer Passport

• Iowa Distillery Pass

• Pub Pass Des Moines

Featured Central Iowa Craft Producers

Summerset Winery: Just minutes south of Des Moines, creates Iowa wine from central Iowa grapes and offers tours, tastings and event spaces.

Firetrucker Brewery: An art-inspired brewery you can visit Tuesdays through Sundays in Ankeny. There are food trucks on site in the summer on Fridays and Saturdays.

• Greene

• Boone

• Story

• Marshall

• Tama

• Guthrie

• Dallas

• Polk

• Jasper

• Adair

• Madison

• Warren

• Marion

• Mahaska

• Poweshiek

The Hall: A unique, modern and spacious food and beverage hall located in Des Moines. It has over 50 beers and wines on tap, plus gourmet food and live music on the weekends.

Central Iowa Destinations & Information

Matchstick Marvels: Located in Gladbrook, Iowa exhibits the work of Iowa artist Patrick Acton, who glued more than 8.6 million wooden matchsticks to create scale models and incredible sculptures. It has been featured in various magazines and TV shows.

Catch Des Moines: Planning a trip to Des Moines can feel overwhelming because there is so much to see and do. Start your planning research on this helpful website.

www.catchdesmoines.com

Pella Convention & Visitor’s Bureau: Learn about Pella’s Dutch heritage and find maps and guides to the area on the local visitor bureau website.

www.visitpella.com

Summer Events & Festivals in Central Iowa

There’s a lot to look forward to in the summer in central Iowa, craft beverage-related and otherwise. Here’s a sampling of what’s coming up soon!

• Iowa Craft Brew Festival: In Des Moines, Iowa held on June 3, 2023 at Water Works Park, Lauridsen Amphitheater. This event includes

Empty Nest Winery

If you are up for a leisurely experience and discovering true-fruit wines, homemade sangrias, and a variety of seltzers and local brews, a trip to the serene, picturesque Empty Nest Winery in Waukon, Iowa, is the place you need to be. The country setting is the project of Pam and Dave Kruger.

Northeast Iowa and the winery growing seasons. In addition to an impressive standard offering, Empty Nest Winery offers four different sangrias on a rotating weekly schedule, four ciders (or three ciders and a seltzer), and local beer selections from their 10-tap system. With all these choices plus non-alcohol offerings and ample space for hanging out and playing games, Empty Nest Winery is known as one of the most family-friendly wineries in Northeast Iowa.

Finding themselves as empty nesters in 2010, the Krugers opened their aptly named winery in 2011. The building opened in 2015, and the rest is truefruit wine history.

Empty Nest Winery features truefruit wines, meaning they ferment the whole fruit rather than only the pressed juice. The winery and farm are an entire family endeavor. Pam is the driving force, in charge of the winemaking and the catering, which is available for events and a few holiday weekends. In addition, family members help to keep Empty Nest running smoothly. All wine production is by hand, and the winemaking process heavily relies on natural gravity. Therefore, visitors will not see the huge, electrically run vats, storage vessels, or processing. Instead, all the wines are produced in small batches with the love, passion, hard work, and attentiveness of the family.

Empty Nest Winery grows as much of its own fruit as possible, and the seasonal wine choices reflect both the

Popular wines at Empty Nest Winery include Hump Day Happiness, a semisweet combination of blackberry and grape, and their well-known berry-flavored choices, including Raspberry, Peach, or Blueberry. In addition, the rotating sangria offerings are always fresh and delicious and include a seasonal, specialty flavor like strawberry rhubarb.

The warm, inviting tasting room is noticeably wood themed, built from reclaimed 100-year-old wood from the original barn that was on the property. It is the perfect place to hang out and have a drink or two, play games that are available on-premises, buy snacks, or enjoy the always-free popcorn. It is a modern work of art built according to green and sustainable methods. As a result, this breathtaking space is ready to host everything from showers and graduations to business events and weddings.

For more information, available wines, hours, and event schedules, click, call, or email:

Information shown on the map is compiled from numerous sources and is complete at time of print. Space restrictions prohibit showing all beverage producers. Please refer to the website www.trails-tales.net for more information.

Featured Iowa Craft Beverage Producers

Northwest

Plum Creek Winery - Algona, IA www.PlumCreekWines.com

River Valley Orchards Winery & Distillery - Humboldt, IA www.rivervalleyorchards.com

Rustic River Winery & Vineyard - Lake View, IA www.rusticriverwinery.com

Shiny Top Brewing - Fort Dodge, IA www.shinytopbrewing.com

TractorLift Brewing - Humboldt, IA Email: tractorlift@gmail.com

S & B Farms Distillery - Bancroft, IA www.sbfarmsdistillery.com

Century Farms Distillery - Spencer, IA www.cfwhiskey.com

Wildcat Distilling Company- Webster City, IA www.wildcatdistillery.com

Northeast

Winneshiek Wildberry Winery - Decorah, IA www.wwwinery.com

Empty Nest Winery - Waukon, IA www.emptynestwinery.com

Promiseland Winery - Guttenburg, IA www.promiselandwinery.com

TLC Brew Works - Holly Cross, IA www.tlcbrewworks.com

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company - Decorah, IA www.tgbrews.com

Iowa Grape Vines Winery. -Maquoketa, IA www.iowagrapevines.com

Central

Summerset Winery - Indianola, IA www.summerset.com

Firetrucker Brewery - Ankeny, IA www.firetrucker.com

Southeast

TYCOGA Winery & Distillery - Dewitt, IA www.tycoga.com

Cedar Valley Winery - Batavia, IA

www.cedarvalleywine.com

Crane Winery - Selma, IA

www.cranewinery.net

Firside Winery - Marengo, IA

www.firesidewiery.com

Wide River Winery - Clinton, IA

www.wideriverwinery.com

Kalona Brewing Company - Kalona, IA

www.kalonabrewing.com

Green Frog Distillery - Keokuk, IA

www.greenfrogdistillery.com

Bridge House Cider - Long Grove - IA www.bridgehousefarms.com

Lost Duck Brewing Company - Fort Madison, IA www.duckbrewing.com

Southwest

Keg Creek Brewing Company - Glenwood, IA

www.kegcreekbrewing.com

Hot Air Brewing - Creston, IA

www.hotairbrewing.com

There are over 200 Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries in Iowa. For more information, visit our website...

www.Trail-Tales.net

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

Back when Barb Lewey bought her husband, Clark, a home brew kit, Northeast Iowa was not yet a part of the brewing boom. The brewing kit was to help Clark brew the style of beer he wanted to drink but couldn’t find available around the area. So as a hobbyist, he brewed the type of beer he preferred to drink and began to share it with those closest to him. His beer gained popularity, and that bit of success snowballed into the world-renowned, craft beer destination known as Toppling Goliath Brewing Company in Decorah, Iowa.

Toppling Goliath is now a true beer destination in a tucked away community of Decorah, Iowa, known for their IPAs and barrel-aged stouts. The drive will let you experience Northeast Iowa along an adventurous journey that opens up to the welcoming community of Decorah and the massive 65,000-square-foot Toppling Goliath

flagship brews like Dorothy’s Lager, an original unfiltered brew that is the first batch of beer brewed in any new kettle brought on site, a lasting tribute to and the favorite style of the founder’s grandmother.

Toppling Goliath Brewery has three options for event spaces, regularly hosting gatherings from local business meetings to family parties, rehearsal dinners, and more. They can manage your party’s needs with their in-house catering. In addition, tours are available for this destination brewery, and include very cool, behind-the-scenes access.

Decorah presents and supports a strong local support and give-back mentality reflected in both the residents’ and businesses’ warmth and helpfulness. Toppling Goliath leads the way, collaborating with Lua Brewing and Big Grove Brewery on Project Hop Fisch. With each batch of this double IPA, a donation of time or money goes towards keeping Iowa’s precious waterways clean and protected.

brewery that houses a 10,000-squarefoot taproom featuring 24 rotating taps, a full menu, gift shop, and outdoor area that promises a full day of fun with family or friends.

Aficionados will already know about Toppling Goliath’s highly touted featured releases. Those not as versed in beer choices will benefit from knowledgeable and well-equipped servers that can answer their questions to find the perfect beer or cocktail for their tastes. Be sure to check out their

Toppling Goliath is a must-see destination on any beer drinkers’ lists and a bucket-list item for those planning their beercation. Local and national visitors now come to Decorah for the Toppling Goliath Beer experience and stick around for the small-town community experience, including shopping, dining, biking, kayaking, trail use, and more.

For more information, beer availability, brewery hours and tours, and event schedules, click or call:

unlimited samples of Iowa craft beer and cider, plus live music and local food trucks.

• Iowa State Fair: In Des Moines, Iowa scheduled for August 10-20, 2023, the fair is an annual tradition

in central Iowa and packed with live entertainment, rides and all your favorite fair foods, including over 60 portable foods on a stick!

• 515 Alive: Des Moines: This multiday music and camping festival will take over five performance stages from August 16-17, 2023. It’s less than a half mile from downtown and features EDM and hip-hop music.

• 80/35 Music Festival: Des Moines: On July 7-8, 2023, this nonprofit mu-

JOIN US (1pm - 4pm) SATURDAY, JUNE 3RD, 2023

The Iowa Craft Brew Festival is a celebration of all things brewed in Iowa. Breweries, cideries, and more! Producers from across the state come together to share their craft with passionate craft brew lovers like you.

sic festival will occur in downtown Des Moines. It’s a celebration of music and culture, with free and paid stages to support the Des Moines Music Coalition.

• Des Moines Arts Festival: On June 23-25, 2023, view works from some of the nation’s top artists in down-

opportunities in central Iowa are at Twin Anchors Campground, Acorn Valley Campground and Timberline Campground. For more overnight outdoorsy fun, check out the Ledges State Park and Rock Creek State Park campgrounds.

• Hiking: There are lots of trails worth exploring once you get just outside the city of Des Moines and out into nature. Our top picks for regional hiking are Ledges State Park, the Sycamore Trails, Brown’s Woods and Margo Frankel Woods State Park.

• Lakes: There are several lakes in Central Iowa, here are just a few.

Saylorville Lake: The Saylorville Lake Project is 26,000 acres, which stretches for over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. A wide variety of recreational activities are available including camping, fishing, picnic areas with group shelters, boat launches, an accessible fishing pier, river fishing, hunting, and a 24-

town Des Moines and near the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. This outdoor festival typically draws in over 200,000 people per year.

Central Iowa Attractions for Summer Fun

There’s nothing like getting some epic outdoor recreation before ending your day with a local craft beer, wine or cocktail. Here are some adventures to inspire your itinerary:

• Camping: Some of the best camping

mile paved, multipurpose trail used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking, and in-line skating.

Big Creek Lake: Located near Saylorville Lake just 20 miles from Des Moines, Big Creek State Park is a family-friendly setting for picnicking

and outdoor recreation. The centerpiece is Big Creek Lake, home of the largest beach in the state park system. The lake is also a popular fishing destination with boat and bike rentals available at the beach concessionaire. Take a day-trip to Big Creek State Park this season and enjoy everything Iowa outdoors has to offer.

Lake Red Rock: Is Iowa’s largest lake with more than 15,000 acres of water and 35,000 acres of land for visitors to enjoy. Located on the Des Moines River just 45 miles

control pool is 780 feet above sea level, over 33 miles long, and covers 65,500 acres. Other lake area benefits include numerous recreational opportunities and natural resources on the water and surrounding public lands.

• Other Attractions: The Boone Scenic Valley Railroad operates passenger excursions in Boone, Iowa. There are also some amusement parks in central Iowa, namely the Des Moines Water Works Park and the Aventureland Park and Aventure Bay Waterpark in Altoona.

Get Ready for a Summer Road Trip!

As you set out for fun in the sun this summer, remember that temperatures can get hot and steamy in central Iowa, so keep yourself safe with plenty of water, sunscreen and indoor breaks. To keep up with what’s happening in central Iowa and what there is to look forward to on the regional craft beverage scene, subscribe to Trails & Tales or view past issues online at...

www.trails-tales.net

southeast, and downriver, of the city of Des Moines, Iowa, the reservoir collects runoff and and drainage from a 12,320 square-mile area in Iowa and southern Minnesota. This protects communities and agriculture lands downstream from the Red Rock Dam. The maximum flood

Summertime Fun, Libations & Festivals in Southeast Iowa

People from all over the country flock to Cedar Rapids in the summer for festivals and cultural events celebrating music, arts, food and craft beverages.

There are also many arts and cultural shows and exhibits in Iowa City, not to mention the forests, lakes and rivers

by Alyssa L. Ochs

nearby for outdoor recreation. These major cities are popular destinations for travel in the broader region. However, just a bit further south, there are some lovely small towns worth checking out in southeast Iowa too such as Marengo, Keokuk, Fort Madison, Kalona and Fairfield.

From canoeing the Skunk River or Van Buren County Water Trail to biking the Fairfield Loop Trail, stopping by local farmers’ markets and swimming in the lakes, it doesn’t get any better than Southeast Iowa for non-stop family fun in the sun. And at the end of the day or to break up your adventures, there are plenty of breweries, wineries and distilleries to satisfy your thirst and connect you with the local community.

Iowa City Jazz Festival: Iowa City, Iowa

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Summertime for Southeast Iowa Craft Beverage Producers

In the summer, craft beverage producers are busy in various ways, which is good to know for you as a local business supporter and tourist. In the vineyards of southeast Iowa, you’ll find staff members hard at work doing trimming, mowing and under-vine weeding tasks. Winery tasting rooms frequently offer extended hours, live music performances and other events to entice visitors.

Breweries and distilleries see increased visits and more tourists during this time of the year, so don’t be surprised if longer wait times or fewer seats are available in your favorite watering holes. Meanwhile, craft beverage businesses in the region are embracing summer-themed flavors and textures, with easy-drinking brews and light and refreshing notes to celebrate the season.

Beverage Trails in Southeast Iowa

As an introduction to the craft beverage scene in southeast Iowa, we highly recommend focusing your trip on a beverage trail to get a taste of what the region has to offer. Here are some trails to check out in southeast Iowa:

• Amana Colonies Wineries

• Corridor Beer Trail

• I-180 Wine Trail

• Iowa Beer Passport

• Iowa Distillery Pass

• QC Ale Trail – Quad Cities

• Scenic River Wine Trail

• Southeast Iowa Beer Trail

• Lee

• Des Moines

• Van Buren

• Henry

• Louisa

• Jefferson

• Washington

• Muscatine

• Scott

• Clinton

• Davis

• Wapello

• Keokuk

• Iowa

• Johnson

• Cedar

Southeast Iowa Featured Craft Producers

Wide River Winery: Has locations in Clinton, LeClaire and East Davenport. Visit one or all three for wine-tasting fun in a relaxed atmosphere.

Fireside Winery: A family-run winery on the edge of the Iowa Valley Scenic Byway. You can visit the Marengo or Amana locations to sample Fireside’s wines.

Kalona Brewing Company: Has a 15-barrel brewing system and a scratch-focused restaurant to welcome travelers. It’s just a half-hour drive from Iowa City and well worth the drive.

Green Frog Distillery: Is a Keokuk, Iowa-based craft spirit producer that’s been around since 2016. Come here to sample straight corn, barrel-aged, caramel-flavored corn and cranberry corn whiskeys.

We are a unique, small-town distillery that we have built from the ground up. We offer some of the best corn whiskey in the area, and everything from the grinding of the corn to placing the final label to the bottle is all done by hand.

We offer a variety of corn whiskies, Straight, Caramel, Cranberry, Barrel Aged, as well as our Limited Edition whiskey we release twice a year. (Thanksgiving & Christmas)

We offer tours, samples, apparel and other merchandise. Please feel free to us give a call or send a message to set up a tour for groups over 6.

Hours of Operation: Wednesday - Saturday 12pm - 6pm

Phone: (319) 795-3346

Email: greenfrogdistillery7@gmail.com

Website: www.greenfrogdistillery.com

Follow us @ www.facebook.com/GreenFrogDistillery/ 3345 270th Ave., Keokuk, IA 52632

Enjoy a Summer of Fun at Fireside Winery!

Bridge House Cider: Specializes in small-batch, craft hard cider made from apples grown on Bridge House’s own farm. Visit this Long Grove by making a free tasting appointment on a Saturday or Sunday this summer.

Cedar Valley Winey: Features French and American hybrid varieties, producing high quality, award-winning wines. Thier winery produces estate grown and estate-bottled wines from grapes grown only in thier vineyard. Visit the tasting room, tour the winery, and enjoy your favorite wines on the outdoor deck overlooking southeast Iowa’s beautiful countryside.

Amana Colonies: Is comprised of seven villages spread across 26,000 acres. Here, you can learn about the region’s German heritage, including locally made wines and beer.

•

Summer Events & Festivals in Southeast Iowa

Whether you’re looking for a beverage-focused festival, general summer events or a little something for everyone in your family, southeast Iowa does not disappoint summer travelers. Here are a few of the name events to look forward to in this region:

• Iowa City Jazz Festival: Come to Iowa City, Iowa June 30th, 2023

for two days of jazz performances. Enjoy the music from two stages, which showcase a variety of wellknown jazz musicians and up-andcoming talent alongside national and international artists to encourage and educate a jazz audience of all ages. Bring a blanket, chair, and get ready for a weekend jazz extravaganza!

• Kalona Bluegrass Festival: There will be Bluegrass musicians playing all weekend July 21, 22 & 23 - 2023

in Kolona, Iowa. Food concessions, camping with hookups available. Bring your lawn chairs.

Ideas for Summer Fun in Southeast Iowa

Summer is the prime time to get outside and be active in southeast Iowa. Balance out your craft beverage adventures with plenty of time outdoors as you indulge in the beautiful landscapes and recreation opportunities.

Camping: Campgrounds are abundant in southeast Iowa, with quite a few options to choose from based on how much you want to rough it or have more of the comforts of home. Some top picks for regional campgrounds are the Lake Odessa Campground, River Valley Lodge & Campground and Lake Surgema Campground.

HANDCRAFTED, CRISP & REFRESHING HARD CIDER!

Award-winning cider bottles & cases for sale fresh off the farm!

Tastings Available!

Also available for pickup most M-F 10-3 & Sat 10-2

Please call ahead 563-343-2622

bridgehousefarms.com

Find us on Facebook & Instagram

EXPLORE IOWA

Hiking: It’s certainly not hard to find a trail to fall in love with when you’re in southeast Iowa. We love the trails at Hunts Woods Trail near Burlington, Shimek State Forest near Farmington and Geode State Park by Danville. To get outside without venturing far from city life, check out Ryerson’s Woods State Preserve in Iowa City and the Indian Creek Sac and Fox Trail in Cedar Rapids.

Lakes: Lake recreation is also an option in southeast Iowa if you enjoy fishing, boating and swimming. Plan to cool off and get a change of scenery.

Lake Sugema: The 574-acre lake is stocked with bluegill, black crappie and channel catfish. Facilities at the lake include parking lots, boat ramps, fishing jetties, a fishing pier for the handicapped, floating boat

docks, and wildlife islands. This area is meant for public hunting, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, picnicking, nature study, primitive camping and other fun in the outdoors.

Lake Darling: Is 1,417 acres in size, including a beautiful 302-acre lake with almost 18 miles of shoreline. The park, with its beautiful wooded hills and valleys and lovely lake, offers something for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, young and old. Also, has a large and well equipped campground. A total of 118 campsites are present, 81 with electrical hookups. The campground has 2 modern rest room buildings, as well as a conveniently located trailer dumping station.

Geode Lake: Named after Iowa’s

state rock, Geode State Park is a beautiful destination in southeast Iowa for outdoor recreation. Lake Geode is the focal point of the park, with more than 150 acres for fishing, boating and paddlesport activities. Geodes are on display in the park office, but it is prohibited to remove geodes from the park.

Visit Fairfield, Iowa: The www.visitfairfieldiowa.com website is an excellent resource for visiting this small Iowa town and finding local events, food, drinks and lodging. With a population of about 10,000, it is known as Iowa’s most creative and eclectic small city.

Start Planning Your Trip to Southeast Iowa

With so much to see and do in southeast Iowa this summer, what are you waiting for? Summertime can’t get here fast enough, so start planning your route and creating an itinerary for a memorable trip. For more ideas and resources, visit our website...

www.trails-tales.net

Old Fort Madison: Fort Madison, Iowa

Go Rural & Drink Local with a Summer Trip to Southwest Iowa

The weather is lovely, event schedules are packed and everyone is in the mood to travel. It’s summer in southwest Iowa, and there are many things to look forward to this season. Craft beverage businesses are busy with visitors looking to sample the latest creations from brewers, distillers and winemakers. There are fun, small-town festivals taking place every week and great outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the region.

Southwest Iowa is a particularly family-friendly destination for a summer vacation. There are pools and splash pads to cool off, museums for rainy

by Alyssa L. Ochs

days and special events like parades, fairs and livestock shows too. If you haven’t explored what southwest Iowa has to offer yet, summer is the perfect time for a road trip!

Summertime for Southwest Craft Beverage Businesses

When you visit craft beverage establishments in southwest Iowa, you can learn a lot about how your favorite drinks are made. For example, vineyard workers are busy with cluster thinning and shoot positioning tasks before veraison, which is when the grapes start to ripen. Vineyard employees you

Photo Credit: Keg Creek Brewing - Glenwood, Iowa

meet may also tell you how at veraison, hedging, skirting and lateral shoot removal are priorities.

The breweries and distilleries in the region are participating in local festivals and adjusting their offerings for the season. Around this time of year, you’ll typically see lighter beers, such as lagers and saisons, as well as floral and refreshing cocktails taking center stage at Iowa’s distilleries.

Local Beverage Businesses in Southwest Iowa

Compared to other parts of Iowa, the southwestern region does not have as large of a local craft beverage presence. However, this just means there are opportunities for growth and openings for new brewers, distillers and winemakers to move in and spark

• Monroe

• Appanoose

• Lucas

• Wayne

• Clarke

• Decatur

• Union

• Ringgold

• Adams

• Taylor

• Fremont

• Page

• Montgomery

• Mills

• Cass

• Pottawattamie

• Audubon

• Shelby

• Harrison

the local economy. While traveling in southwest Iowa, you can participate in the Iowa Beer Passport, Iowa Craft

We’re a small brewery with small town hospitality! Award winning beers, 20 taps, inviting taproom & Beautiful rural patio setting. Only 20 Minutes from Downtown Omaha!

Beer Passport and Iowa Distillery Pass programs to get more involved in the scene and support Iowa businesses. We also recommend checking out the following local producers when you are in this part of the state.

Southwest Iowa Craft Beverage Producers

Keg Creek Brewing Company: Located in Glenwood, it is as authentic of a craft brewery as you’ll find. Started by homebrewers that decided to try and make beer they enjoyed, it wasn’t long before they discovered that other beer drinkers liked their products as much as they did.

Hot Air Brewing: Located in Creston, the brewery features both “high falutin” and “low falutin” beers brewed in-house, whether you like your beer light, dark, hoppy, sour, fruity, or spicy, Hot Air Brewing offers something every beer lover will enjoy. They also offer hard cider and house-made Italian sodas.

Bodega Victoriana Winery & Wedding

Barn: A southwest Iowa wine destination in Glenwood, Iowa. The wines here are made with grapes grown in the Loess Hills. It is the largest winery in western Iowa and a beautiful event venue. In addition to wine, you can also enjoy tapas and flatbread pizzas at Bodega Victoriana.

Lonely Oak Distillery: Is a small-batch craft spirits distillery that uses grains grown on a local farm in western Iowa. It is located in Earling, Iowa and produces bourbon whiskey and vodka, including several flavored vodka options.

Summer Events and Festivals in Southwest Iowa

• Iowa Wine Month (statewide): Nearly 100 wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms are participating in Iowa Wine Month this June. It’s a great way to kick off the summer season with a visit to a historic winery, shop at tasting room gift shops, listen to live concerts and savor award-winning wines.

• Big County Bash: Just before Independence Day, you can attend this country music festival on July 2-3, 2023 in St. Charles, Iowa. There are fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights, plus onsite camping for an added experience.

• Hinterland Music Festival: From August 4-6, 2023, you can attend this music festival at the Avenue of the Saints Amphitheater in St. Charles, Iowa. An exciting three-day line-up and camping options are also available at the festival.

• Guthries’s River Ruckus: This year marks the 15th annual Guthrie’s River Ruckus, which takes place July 27-29, 2023 in Guthrie Center, Iowa. It’s a country music festival worth checking out at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds. Electric and dry camping options are available, but plan to spend a total of nine nights (July 21-30) here to secure a site.

Southwest Iowa Attractions for Summer Fun

Summer is a perfect time to get active and explore everything that southwest Iowa has to offer, and fortunately, there are lots of trails, parks and lakes

to check out. Here are some of the most popular options to choose from.

Camping: Top picks for camping in southwest Iowa include Dammann Campground in Shenandoah, Prairie Rose State Park and the Wilson Island State Recreation Area.

Hiking: Grab your hiking boots and backpack because there are some excellent places to get in touch with nature in this region with little more than your own two feet. You can also get in a good hike at...

Waubonsie State Park: One of the best scenic overlooks in Iowa’s southern portion of the Loess Hills can be found at Waubonsie State Park, located in between Sidney and Hamburg. The hiking trails around Waubonsie can be a bit challenging, especially if you’re hiking with younger kids.

West Oak Forest: There are hilltop prairie remnants and a forest to explore along 3 miles of hiking trails. It’s not super well marked, but it’s also not a super big park to worry much about getting lost in.

It is a notable forest that’s home to several threatened and endangered species including the Yucca Moth, Western Spadefoot Toad, Ottoe Skipper, Northern Grasshopper Mouse and others.

Lakes: When you’re craving a bit more water in your life, head to a southwest Iowa lake to do some boating and fishing. Viking Lake, Lake Icaria and Greenfield Lake are options in the area.

Other Attractions: When looking for family fun, a great place to go is the Pirate Cove Water Park in Council Bluffs. You can also visit Omaha, Nebraska, just across the state border, to spend a day at Fun Plex Waterpark & Rides.

Experience Southwest Iowa

One of the best things about taking a trip to southwest Iowa is that you won’t be overwhelmed by an oversaturated craft beverage market. Come out to support our Southwest producers, for more southwest Iowa trip ideas and inspiration visit our website...

www.trails-tales.net

(Continued from Page 3) These destinations have an abundance of attractions that travelers of all ages can enjoy:

• Sioux City

• Dubuque

• Burlington

• Des Moines

• Cedar Rapids

• Iowa City

• Pella

Family-Friendly Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries in Iowa

One of the latest and greatest trends in the craft beverage industry lately is the move towards family-friendly and inclusive environments that are community gathering spaces just as much as local watering holes. However, some beverage businesses don’t allow kids at all or at least aren’t very welcoming to little travelers or family pets.

We’ve rounded up a list of breweries,

Iowa Craft Beverages

wineries and distilleries that are known for being family-friendly and would make fun stops along the way of your next Iowa vacation.

• Big Grove Brewery, Iowa City: Large open space for families, dogs allowed on the patio, street-food style menu.

• HFiretrucker BreweryH, Ankeny: Kids are welcome, the staff is friendly, great patio, family-friendly games on the event calendar. (Featured Advertiser - page 20)

• Kinship Brewing, Waukee: Welcomes kids and dogs, off-leash dog park onsite, space for stroller parking, perfect for an afternoon out .

• Gezellig Brewing, Newton: Cozy environment, pet-friendly patio, coloring books and games provided to entertain kids.

• Crawford Brew Works, Quad Cities:

Photo Credit: Firetrucker Brewery - Ankeny, Iowa

Iowa Craft Beverages

Kid-friendly until 10 pm, dog-friendly patio with a fire pit, seating available for larger groups, rotating food trucks.

• HThe HallH, West Des Moines: Family-friendly Monday night bingo, multiple food options to choose from, many games available, indoor and outdoor spaces. (Featured Advertiser - page 23)

• HIowa Grape Vines WineryH, Maquoketa: Welcomes kids, offers root beer and ice cream for kids, onsite vineyard tours available. (Featured Advertiser - page 15)

• Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, Swisher: Kids are welcome, delicious pizza on the menu, patio and lawn spaces, live music onsite.

Tips for Visiting Craft Beverage Businesses with Kids

Even in family-friendly craft beverage establishments, there are still rules to adhere to and etiquette to follow. Remember these tips during your travels to have the best vacation experience and support local businesses respectfully and responsibly.

• Choose conveniently located beverage stops in areas with family-friendly attractions.

• Call ahead to confirm that kids and dogs are allowed.

• Choose outdoor seating areas with games to play and space to move around.

• Pick places that serve food or have

food trucks.

• Don’t treat the business like a playground and only stay for a limited time.

• Clean up toys and games before you leave.

More Iowa Summer Ideas and Inspiration

If you love trying local drinks but want to plan a well-rounded trip that the whole family will enjoy, consider basing your travel route around a craft beverage trail in a particular region of Iowa. The I-80 Wine Trail, Scenic River Wine Trail, Central Iowa Beer Trail and Western Iowa Beer Trail are just a few examples of trails that allow you to visit multiple businesses and find plenty of fun, non-beverage-related stops along the way. There are some excellent kid-friendly resorts in Iowa that are perfect for summer vacations and will provide you with all the comforts of home, plus amenities like outdoor pools, free breakfasts and games.

If you plan to stop at breweries, wineries and distilleries during your family vacation, it is paramount to sip samples in moderation or take turns sampling and driving for everyone’s safety. But the big takeaway is that it is definitely possible (and a lot of fun!) to have the best of both worlds with a summer vacation in Iowa and find local things to do that everyone can appreciate together.

For more travel tips and inspiration about all things Iowa, visit our website at www.trails-tales.net

RIVER ROCKS: 18 regional craft beers on tap, large liquor, wine and bottled beer selection with a great view of the Mississippi Riverfront!

319-470-5992 • 709 Avenue H www.kingsleyinn.com

FAETH’S CIGAR STORE: 98 year old watering hole in downtown Fort Madison with a historic bar from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair!

319-372-2792

832 Avenue G

CORKS and BARRELS: The newest edition to the Historic Downtown Fort Madison bar scene with a large variety of whiskey and wine. Offering smoked drinks and amazing charcuterie boards in an eclectic setting!

319-372-8840 • 622 7th Street

Timeless elegance with a family feel, modern comforts and superior service. Our property includes 18 guest rooms, a Guest House, parlor, banquet room and bar & grill on site! Guests receive 1 welcome drink per person at River Rocks until April 30, 2023.

LOST DUCK BREWING COMPANY: Hand crafted beer and pub style food location along the Mississippi Riverfront and overlooking Old Fort Madison. Beautiful woodwork, fantastic views and the beer is brewed on the 2nd floor!

319-372-8255 • 725 Avenue H