If you live in Iowa, chances are you’ve heard of or have been to a Big Grove Brewery location. If you live in Cedar Rapids, chances are you’ve been absolutely energized by the beloved brewery’s newest location! Big Grove Cedar Rapids opened December 2023 in Downtown Cedar Rapids as an anchor of the new and lively Kingston Yard development.
Ten years ago, Big Grove Brewery made its debut in Solon. Fast forward 10 years and it now has locations in Iowa City, Des Moines and, most recently, Cedar Rapids. When asked, “Why Cedar Rapids?” Big Grove co-founder Doug Goettsch says, “Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa but nobody talks about it, and we knew the market could bear it.” Goettsch says the Cedar Rapids location has already overwhelmingly exceeded his expectations.
While Big Grove Cedar Rapids has only been open for just over a month, the Cedar Rapids community has welcomed it with open arms and it doesn’t appear the buzz will die down anytime soon – and for good reason.
While there are similarities between each Big Grove location, each also has its own unique flare, whether it’s with the menu or design. The magic behind Big Grove is it’s the perfect setting for a casual drink stop during a bike ride, a family-friendly meal, a girls’ night out or a private event. Big Grove Cedar Rapids gives an industrial yet modern aesthetic, with steel beams, large floor-to-ceiling windows, murals that capture Big Grove and Cedar Rapids history, wooden accents and a mix of tables (including picnic, low and high tops in the lively taproom). What stands out to most is the spacious covered patio with firepits and a continuation of flexible seating which is all separated from the inside by garage doors perfect for an open-air environment during the spring to fall months.
With approximately 20 Big Grove brews on tap plus house-made cocktails and mocktails, there is a beverage for every palate. Fan favorites include Easy Eddy (Hazy IPA), Citrus Surfer (Fruited Wheat), Boomtown (Golden Ale), Double Blackberry (Sour) and Crescent Light (Czech Pilsner). Hibiscus margarita, mulberry mule and the Nopaloma mocktail are among the popular cocktails.
While Big Grove is known for its beer, the food isn’t to be slept on. Big Grove Cedar Rapids is home to head chef Chris Vurciaga. Vurciaga has been with Big Grove since day one at its Solon location and is a Cedar Rapids native, which aided in his inspiration and creation of the Cedar Rapids food menu. Big Grove Cedar Rapids has sprinkled notes of Czech, Slovakian and German heritage with hearty bites into the menu including the popular Taphouse Burger, fried chicken sandwich, BGB Cheesesteak, smoked pork burrito bowl and tuna poke bowl. There are items on the Cedar Rapids menu that carry over from other Big Grove locations such as the wildly popular brussels sprouts, which are flash-fried to hold their form and texture and perfectly coated with honey-sriracha vinaigrette and topped with almonds and cilantro.
One of the more unique dishes to the Cedar Rapids menu are the Reuben Bao Buns which include house-made pastrami, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing. Meatballs don’t typically sound too exciting but at Big Grove Cedar Rapids the chefs use, you guessed it, house-made marinara and focaccia that really set it over the edge from your typical meatball. House-made items are no stranger to the Big Grove menu as just about every item has components made from scratch, if not the full dish.
What’s in store for Big Grove Brewery in the future? Consumers will soon see Big Grove beer not only being sold across the state of Iowa, but even across state borders as they just began selling in Illinois in December 2023 and will begin selling in Omaha, Nebraska, in March 2024.
Big Grove Cedar Rapids is open Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.).
For more information about Big Grove Cedar Rapids, visit biggrove.com/pages/cedar-rapids-taproom.
170 1st St. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404