We just got back from DSM, where BamaVol Jr. #2 has lived for the last 2 years. It was my first time there since 1977. The beer scene is alive and kicking in Des Moines. There are a half dozen breweries and brewpubs in and around the city. We had dinner at Court Avenue Brewery, drank at El Bait Shop (with 116 taps) and The Royal Mile (focus on ales from the UK).

The highlight was the 2014 Cityview Brewfest. There were 400 beers from 92 different breweries or distributors (I compulsively count things) available to taste in 3 hours, with breweries from Iowa and surrounding states making up about 1/4 of the offering. Among the 4 of us, we might have tasted 60 or so, avoiding the mundane (Miller Coors), the strange (jalapeno/chili and chai tea flavored ales), non-beers (cider and malt based beverages) and the good but familiar (like Ommegang or Boulder Hazed & Infused). I think it would improve with a 2 day ticket. I missed and would have liked to try a pumpkin lambic among other things.

My only regret is that I failed to make notes on my favorites, however I don't expect to find many this far from Iowa.

Amazingly enough, my souvenir was a bottle of Iowa distilled Rye (Templeton), not beer, although I was downing one more local brew (Peace Tree Hop Wrangler) at the airport bar before emplaning.