Northwest

Iowa’s Winter Craft Beverage Festivals & Tastings

by Alyssa L. Ochs

It’s no secret that Iowa winters can be brutally harsh, with temperatures averaging from the teens to 20s and accumulating approximately 20 to 40 inches of snow per season. This might lead you to assume that the craft beverage industry in the state more or less shuts down so that residents can hibernate in their homes and travelers can go elsewhere in search of warmth and sunshine.

However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth because winter is an exciting time to be in Iowa if you love craft beer, spirits, and wine! Whether you’ve lived in Iowa all your life or are just visiting for the first time, here are some highly anticipated craft beverage events to look forward to this winter season.

Amana Colonies Winter Events

If you want to experience the craft beverage scene in Iowa this winter but need help figuring out where to start, make your way to Amana Colonies in eastern Iowa. Located only about 30 minutes from both Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Amana Colonies is a historic communal society and collection of seven villages celebrating German culture and traditions. Some of those traditions involve handcrafted and locally produced wine and beer in a place that transports visitors back to a simpler time with unmatched hospitality. Many events are taking place during the winter season in Amana Colonies this year, including the Tannenbaum Forest on Fridays through Sundays from November 25 to December 18.

“Tannenbaum Forest is a beautiful homage to the traditional Christmas tree,” Stacey Colledge, the executive director of the Amana Colonies Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACCVB), told Trails and Tales. “With 80+ beautifully decorated trees lining our Festhalle barn, this is an event to see!”

This event is free to visit but welcomes donations, which benefit the nearby University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Colledge said that the Prelude to Christmas weekend during Tannenbaum Forest is fun for the whole family with Santa, games and tasty treats. Prelude to Christmas is scheduled

for December 2 to 4 at Amana Colonies and coincides with some unique winery events. For example, the Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt at Ackerman Winery runs from November 25 to December 26 and encourages visitors to search for up to 24 traditional Nutcrackers hidden around its store. Prelude to Christmas at Ackerman Winery during the festival weekend includes wine pairing flights for $10, a decadent wine cocktail special, Christmas cookies, classic holiday movies and shopping deals. “In Amana, we have several amazing craft beverage businesses that make delightful seasonal blends and cocktails!” said Colledge of ACCVB. “This includes the award-winning Ackerman Winery, the oldest operating winery in Iowa, White Cross Cellars, Fireside Winery and Village Winery. Or visit Millstream Brau Haus for a local beer in a traditional-style, German beer hall environment.”

Yet even after the holidays have come and gone, the winter fun keeps going at Amana Colonies. Set for January 21, 2023, Winterfest encourages visitors to embrace the season with winter games, a wine walk and a “Wine and Dine” event that pairs each course of traditional cuisine with delicious local wines. There’s even a Best Beard Competition, ice sculptor, local chainsaw artist and open-fire chili from the volunteer fire department to warm you up with a glass of delicious wine or beer in hand.

“Amana has a long history with locally crafted wine,” said Colledge. “It’s worth (Continued on Page 39)

University of Okoboji Winter Games

Take a Beverage-Inspired Trip to

Northwest Iowa This Winter by Alyssa L. Ochs

Avacation to Northwest Iowa in the winter? Are you crazy?! Those might have been the first questions that came to mind when you read the title of this article. Still, there are some surprisingly great reasons to venture to this region in November, December, January and February. Yes, this part of the state is known for being a water sports destination and home to the “Ice Cream Capital of the World,” but these small towns and rural farming communities have something unique to offer during all four seasons. There is no shortage of indoor activities, such as art centers and museums, where you can escape the cold and quirky stops like the world’s largest popcorn ball in Sac City and the Kaleidoscope Factory in Pocahontas. Not only will you experience fewer crowds as you hop from one brewery, winery or distillery to the next, but you can also partake in festive Christmas activities around the holidays. Here’s a look at how to take a Northwest Iowa trip in the winter while getting to know the local craft beverage scene.

The Northwest Iowa Craft Beverage Scene

like that of the Dakotas than anything else. Growers of grapes, hops and other agricultural products must learn to adapt to bitterly cold temperatures in the winter and scorching hot temperatures in the summer. Yet this resiliency adds something unique to products coming out of Northwest Iowa and certain hardiness that is both satisfying and refreshing. In Northwest Iowa, distilleries have a grain-to-glass mentality that comes from sourcing ingredients, such as corn and grains, from local farms. The region’s distilleries are spaced relatively far apart, and there are only a few of them, so you’ll need to plan your route strategically to visit them all. For wine, LaCrescent, Edelweiss, St. Croix, Lacrosse and Frontenac are some of the most common varietals that you’ll find in Northwest Iowa. There are not an abundance of wineries in this region, but you’ll find some to visit in the rural areas of Inwood, Swisher, Primghar and Estherville. Craft breweries are much more common in this part of the state, with beer establishments welcoming visitors in Sioux City, Luverne, West Okoboji, Sibley Rock Rapids and Le Mars. • 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

Northwest Iowa Beverage Businesses to Visit Wineries

Plum Creek Winery: Located seven miles from Algona, Iowa, is a family-owned business with about two acres of grapes planted. It has been

part of the local wine scene since 2012 and offers fun “Paint and Pour” nights to help you tap into your creative side, as well as a brand-new outdoor wedding venue.

River Valley Orchards Winery &

Distillery: Located four miles from Humboldt, Iowa and along Highway 3. The history of this family farm dates back to 1998, and it has since expanded to offer 21 excellent wines and 5 distilled spirits – most of which are made exclusively from fruit grown right here on the farm. Sample them in our beautiful West Wing.

Rustic Rivery Winery & Vineyard:

A family owned winery & vineyard located in rural Lake View is a true family affair. What began as a fully operating farm has diversified into offering a full selection of medal winning wines. The Winery makes the perfect venue for an intimate wedding, baby shower, wedding shower, birthday party, family/ friend gathering, or simply just a relaxing spot to unwind on the weekends. Breweries

Shiny Top Brewing: Nate & Todd McCubbin brought Shiny Top Brewing to Fort Dodge, Iowa, along with great beer, a friendly atmosphere and a showcase of local talent. Not only can you enjoy a tasty brew here, but also weekly pizza specials, live music and displays from local artists. TractorLift Brewery: Is a nano-brewery in Humboldt, Iowa that adopted an old post office building as its taproom location. Larry Beilke, the owner of TractorLift, welcomes beer-lovers to bring in their own food and enjoy one of the many tasty beers on tap.

S&B Farms Distillery: Located in Bancroft, Iowa is a first-generation, seed-to-spirit distillery that uses grains grown from its very own farm. It has won numerous awards for its spirits and promises a genuinely smooth taste in every bottle. Century Farms Distillery: Located just 15 miles south of Lake Okoboji in Spencer, tour the distillery and experience the innovation then enjoy a cocktail at the Tasting Room. Sample all their products, visit the food truck on site and most weekends they have live entertainment and games in a family friendly atmosphere and patio that welcomes your pups as well! Don’t miss the newest offering, Open Gate Sweet Tea Vodka from one of Iowa’s fastest growing native distilleries!

Why Plan a Northwest Iowa Trip for Winter?

If you aren’t scared away by a little cold and snow, a lot of fun awaits you in Northwest Iowa this winter. For example, the town of Spencer offers the best collection of 1930s Art Deco architecture in the Midwest, and the town of Storm Lake has an indoor waterpark and a tree museum for a unique history lesson. Meanwhile, Smoldering Cigar, located in Livermore, is the only premium cigar store and private smoking lounge in the region. Cone Park is an excellent place for winter activity in the region, including ice skating and snow tubing. Equipment rentals are available here, so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own gear, and there are concessions available to warm up around the fire pit. Winter weekends here can

708 Sumner Ave. • Humboldt, IA 50548 (515) 890-9484

tractorlift@gmail.com

River Valley Orchards

Winery & Distillery

Venue Seats Up To 400 515-368-2444

www.rivervalleyorchards.com Follow us on Facebook!

also be filled with snowshoeing at the Oneota Recreational Area in Clay County, Prairie Heritage Center in O’Brien County and Horseshoe Bend in Dickinson County. Northwest Iowa also hosts some exciting holiday events during the winter including the University of Okoboji Winter Games in Arnolds Park north of Spencer, Iowa.

Northwest Iowa Attractions

Still not convinced? Well, here are some more ideas for winter fun in Northwest Iowa that goes beyond just the fantastic craft beverage scene:

Fort Dodge, IA

• Fort Frenzy: the largest and most popular family entertainment center in Fort Dodge. Featuring dozens

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 of indoor and outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone including go karts, bowling, bumper boats and arcade games. Get competitive on the miniature golf course or stop by for special events and concerts.

Spencer, IA

• Spencer’s Historic District: Take a walking tour of Spencer’s Historic

Grand Avenue Commercial District!

Tour booklets are available at the

Spencer Main Street Office and Clay

County CVB Office.

West Bend, IA

• Grotto of the Redemption: The largest man-made Grotto in the world. The Grotto stands as a testimony in stone, a treasured work of art. Covering a city block, the Grotto

712-660-1525 • https://rusticriverwinery.com

represents the largest collection of precious and semi-precious rocks, minerals, fossils and petrifactions concentrated in any one spot in the world.

• Smoldering Cigar: Down the road in

Livermore with a great selection of cigars and accessories. To learn more about other things to do and where to stay in Northwest Iowa, check out the official Travel Iowa website www.traveliowa.com and browse our guide Iowa Trails & Tales for fun trip ideas and inspiration or visit our website www.trails-tales.net

Plum Creek Winery

Sip wine, and have a great time! Listen to music, enjoy chocolate and wine pairings, play Bingo, or take a walk on our outdoor trails. Come and join us for a fun, relaxing afternoon!

(319) 290-3101 PlumCreekWines.com

facebook.com/PlumCreekWinery 2306 160th Ave. • Algona, IA 50511

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