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.

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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 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

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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...

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