The Sanctuary Restaurant and Pub

February 6, 2008 [ Updated January 5, 2009 ]
I love this place. It’s true the tap list is fairly standard, but it’s a really nice belgian selection and pretty solid American (although it’s iowa so we’re losing some of the good’uns like Three Floyd’s, some of the Bells etc). Nice dark baroriginal rock and wooda fireplace in the side room, generally knowledgable staff and good pizza. I dig it.

January 9, 2008
Set up like a brown bar, it’s dark, wooded, very cozy and warm feeling. At the door you can read over the beer menu, and I guess we came during a bad night or bad week, because the wildest thing they had available was a couple of standard Rogue taps. No Locker Stock, as others had noted, and no seasonals to be found. They had around 12 craft taps and all were fairly common, so other than being close to some cheap eats and only a block from Old Capitol, I don’t much reason to visit unless you can call ahead first and confirm something good is on tap.

January 7, 2008 [ Updated February 9, 2008 ]
I have been coming here more often since hearing they ramped up the beer selection. Last time I was in they just got rogue imperial red on tap, which was quite a treat here in iowa. Other rogues on tap, along with a decent bottle selection. Great atmosphere, bartender was helpful as well.

December 16, 2007
I love this place and go when I get someone to meet me there. Nice, relaxed atmosphere with great beer and great temperatures and they had Rogue’s special Atlbier last time I was there and served it at a great temperature. Glassware is great! Beer is great! I should try the food as I have a beer next to their fireplace. Love the place, just gotta find a place to park.

October 14, 2007
Located in a very old building, this place is a nice find. Great old back bar. Has a nice selection of handles, if nothing too exotic (at least on my visit). Excellent selection of bottles, with a fair number of Belgians featured. Didn’t try the food, although those eating around us seemed to enjoy their meals. Service was good, with a knowledgeable and friendly bartender during our visit. We’ll definitely check back.

November 19, 2005
Dark, divey, live music on some nights, even the occasional poetry reading, comfortable, cozy, and I think the food is just great--a limited but inventive menu. The service varies dramatically. When crowded, good luck. On slow nights, fine. Expect undergraduates at the neighboring tables. I mostly value this place for the amazing selection of import bottles and the interesting rotating selections on tap. This is my go-to place for good beer in Iowa City.

October 3, 2005 [ Updated April 11, 2007 ]
The food here is subpar, but the atmosphere and beer make up for that. There is no tv and live music on some weekends. They have a nice tap selection and the best bottle selection in the state. They have a fair number of German, Belgian and English beers. The taps usually have some Young’s, Anchor, SN and Rogue products. They carry a nice variety of imports but, like John’s Grocery, domestics are a little thin. Worth a stop, but you won’t find anything extraordinarily rare here. They also get occasional special kegs form Rogue and Sierra Nevada. A nice quiet place.

July 30, 2005 [ Updated June 4, 2008 ]
Pretty good place. Probably the best in Iowa City/Coralville for beer (which isn’t saying a whole lot unfortunately). You could pass it by easily and not see it, but it’s about a block down the street from Old Capital Brew Works and Public House. Native rock wall interior with lots of wood. Always have 8 or 9-ish beers on tap including an occasional Belgian. Recently they have stepped it up a bit and have been getting the Rogue John’s Locker Stock series. Over 100 beers in bottle. Food is pretty good. Often have music Thur through Sat. My biggest gripe is that they should have more draft selections that rotate more often. And I can’t figure out why nobody in Iowa chooses to serve beer brewed IN Iowa. Makes no sense.