Best Breweries in Des Moines: Craft Beer, Taprooms & Local Hangouts

Exile Brewing — Downtown Brewpub

Exile Brewing operates a brewpub at 1514 Walnut St in downtown Des Moines, offering both house-brewed beer and a full kitchen menu. The brewpub is closed Mondays. Tuesday through Thursday it opens at 11 AM and runs until 10 PM, Friday 11 AM to 11 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 9 PM.

The kitchen closes one hour before the brewpub. If a meal is the main reason for visiting, allow time to order and eat before that cutoff. Check the official Exile page for current hours and exceptions.

For a concert night, compare the brewpub address with your actual venue and curtain time. Plan the travel between them rather than assuming a downtown location makes every show a short walk.

Big Grove — Des Moines Taproom

Big Grove’s Des Moines taproom is at 555 17th Street and has a food menu. Regular taproom hours are Sunday–Thursday 11 AM–10 PM and Friday–Saturday 11 AM–11 PM.

Kitchen hours run slightly shorter: food service ends at 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and at 10 PM Friday and Saturday. If you want to order a meal, plan to arrive before the kitchen cutoff.

The brewery has announced a closure on November 9, 2026. Check the Des Moines taproom page before visiting, including any exception to regular hours.

Lua Brewing — High Street Brewery & Restaurant

Lua Brewing is a brewery and restaurant at 1525 High Street. It is an option when you want food and beer at the same stop. Review its current menu and opening hours before arranging a meal.

Choose it on the basis of what you want to eat and drink, rather than expecting every brewery to have the same format. If you are arranging a group outing, confirm any particular dining or access need directly.

Confluence Brewing — Taproom Near Gray's Lake

Confluence Brewing's taproom sits at 1235 Thomas Beck Road, south of Gray's Lake. The brewery focuses on its beer, offering a wide tap list that includes cider and non-alcoholic options, but the taproom does not serve food from its own kitchen.

Outside food is welcome inside the taproom, and you'll find local delivery menus on hand if you want to order in. Food trucks appear on scheduled dates—check the brewery's calendar to see when they're parked outside.

The outdoor deck is dog-friendly, giving you a place to bring your pet on pleasant days. Dogs are not permitted indoors. The taproom hosts trivia nights and live music among its regular programming, but these events appear on the calendar rather than running every evening, so review the schedule before you visit if you're hoping to catch a specific event.

Planning Your Brewery Visit

For dinner, begin with the kitchen rather than the bar’s closing time. Exile and Big Grove state separate food-service cutoffs. Lua also operates a restaurant, while Confluence’s outside-food arrangement calls for a different meal plan.

If live music or trivia is the priority, check the actual event date on the brewery’s calendar. Confluence lists those activities, but they are not a promise of entertainment every evening.

To combine a taproom with live music, choose the show first and work backward from its start time. Compare the addresses, allow for travel and arrange your ride before the evening. You can also browse adult outings for theatre and comedy alternatives.

Before you head out

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