The timeless tradition of an ice-cold beer after a long bike ride is a no-brainer to some, but for those who have yet to experience this match made in heaven, this summer is the perfect time to test out the waters (especially with the price of gas!). Iowa natives are blessed with an abundance of breweries, some conveniently located near the many stunning bike trails available to explore. Check out these five Iowa breweries on bike trails to experience this summer and beyond.
SingleSpeed Brewing Company
Waterloo
After a scenic ride alongside the Cedar River on the extensive maze of Cedar Valley Trails, make sure to include a pit-stop at SingleSpeed Brewing Company, one of the top Iowa breweries on bike trails. After all, SingleSpeed was founded due on an idea which occurred to its founder, Dave Morgan, while on a bike ride. The brewery resides within the massive, historically renovated WonderBread building and features a traditional beer hall, a full-service restaurant and even an outdoor beer garden. As for the beer, SingleSpeed focuses on crafting venturesome brews that gear toward sustainability and creativity. Some core flavors include Ring Around the Gose, infused with passionfruit and pink guava, and Tip the Cow, a full-bodied, creamy milk stout with notes of roast and cocoa alongside velvety sweetness. And hopefully you’ve worked up an appetite while on your trek because the variety of shared plates include charcuterie boards, hot pretzels and loaded nachos. For more information and a look at the entire beer and food menu, visit www.singlespeedbrewing.com.
Pulpit Rock Brewing Company
Decorah
Pulpit Rock Brewing Company is the perfect place to end an idyllic journey on the Trout Run Trail. This hard-to-miss brewery–one of the best Iowa breweries on bike trails–has been transformed from an old dairy facility into a hotspot for diverse, contemporary tastes and unmatched experiences. The shaded patio area provides a retreat from the heat, as does the shabby-chic indoor tasting room, which features reclaimed barn wood walls and tabletops. The beer speaks for itself; Pulpit Rock is known for its emphasis on playful flavor infusions, ample hop varieties and distinctive yeast strains. A refreshing reward post-workout would definitely be a tap of Island Life, infused with an overflow of strawberry, mango and lemonade flavor. For more information and a peek at some of the other whimsical flavors, visit www.pulpitrockbrewing.net.
Textile Brewing Company
Dyersville
Located in the heart of Dyersville and at the end of the Heritage Trail, which features historic mining and mill towns all along the way, Textile Brewing Company is a must-stop destination. Residing within a refurbished, vintage sewing factory, a majority of the interior furnishings were found on site, giving this brewery an old-timey feel as antiquity meets modernity. Aside from the stunning interior, Textile also boasts a dog-friendly beer garden with umbrellas and firepits. Onto the beer, some exclusive, thirst-quenching pints include Going Native, a sour beer with a uniquely Midwestern twist of rhubarb and pineapple, and Dirndl, a traditionally German wheat beer with a dash of lemon drop hops and naturally occurring banana and clove flavors, which are born during Textile’s unique brewing process. The nod to German culture can also be seen throughout the food menu. You can’t go wrong with trying out one of the famously massive Bavarian pretzels; special flavors include ham and swiss, pizza and everything bagel. Make sure to ask for a side of Textile’s signature ‘Snuggy’ beer cheese – there’s no better place to indulge in delicious beer cheese than at a brewery! For more information and a closer look at everything Textile has to offer, visit textilebrews.com.
Convergence CiderWorks
Decorah
If you prefer to take the less traditional route, then Convergence CiderWorks is the destination for you. Beer is not cider–and cider is not beer–but at Convergence, you can get the best of both worlds. This cidery relies on locally grown, Iowan apples and pears, and various unique fermentation processes, to transform whole fruits into both easy-to-enjoy and more hardy heritage hard ciders, alike. Some of Convergence CiderWorks’ signature creations include Flyway Gold, a semi-sweet apple hard cider infused with elderberry and sweetened with local honey, and Moonglow Ginger, a semi-dry pear cider accompanied by organic ginger juice. But no need to fear, Convergence offers beer options from a rotation of local breweries, as well. In addition, a menu packed with sweet and savory delights is available, too. Dishes include a variety of crepes, buffalo chicken sandwiches and seasonal salad bowls. For more information, visit www.convergencecider.com.
Fenders Brewing
Polk City
Just off of the ever-popular High Trestle Trail resides Fenders Brewing, beloved by cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts of all types as one of best Iowa breweries on a bike trail. With Fenders’ motto being “Enjoy Your Ride,” it’s no surprise that this brewery aims to always bring unique color, flavor, aroma and body to its beer, in hopes to add to cyclists’ enjoyment of the ride. In order to do so, all of Fenders’ taps are brewed on site; some signature beers include Furthur Trip Lemon Pucker, a sour beer accented by none other than lemon; Whimcycle Raspberry Wheat, a light, tart wheat beer with a raspberry kick; and Ramble On Roads, a silky, full-bodied imperial stout that features both coconut and vanilla. From the unique play-on-word beer titles to the bike-themed décor, Fenders is a pit-stop that you will not regret making. After all, this brewery is basically a meeting point for cyclists, even offering special events for beer-loving bikers. For more information on these events and all that Fenders Brewing has to offer, visit fendersbrewing.com.