Rock Bottom Des Moines

January 9, 2008
Kinda similar to every other rock bottom, with the same dark wood and leather and similar fake atmosphere. But the beer selection was nice enough, with a few interesting seasonals, and the regular fare being brewed fairly well. Sits in a sort of mall/shopping area, like most, so it’s not exactly the best place for a true beer geek, but it works for Iowa.

August 1, 2007
Visited for dinner on a Sunday night. Located in a shopping area like most Rock Bottoms are. Of all of the Rock Bottoms that I’ve been to, this one was the worst by far. The service was not good. She was slow, not very friendly, and didn’t stop by very often. The beers were the most pedestrian of all of the Rock Bottoms too, especially since the Warrenville, IL was so good when I went. The food was good, as I had my standard Titan Toothpicks. I’ll still go to other Rock Bottom Breweries, but I’ll go to Court Avenue if I’m in Des Moines again.

November 12, 2006 [ Updated January 15, 2007 ]
Been here a few times. Pretty decent crowd but, usually no wait in my experience. Generallly they have 8 or 9 of their own on tap. This is one of the only places in Iowa that I have seen cask conditioned hand pumped ales (the other is Court Ave Brewing Company in Des Moines). Overall, the beer was pretty good. The food was also decent. I would say that this is the best brew pub in Iowa.

January 16, 2005 [ Updated July 15, 2008 ]
Ok, I visited again recently. The idea of presenting Iron Horse Stout as a rotating seasonal brew that varies in style is confusing, especially to those that know little about beer. That is something that needs to be changed. I thought it felt a little claustrophobic. The food is solid, but far from great. The beers are average, nothing bad, but nothing exciting either. I am glad that they keep a couple of beers on cask. Next time in Des Moines, I would rather hit one of the local brewpubs downtown.

December 13, 2004
Looks identical to the other RB’s I’ve been to. Beer was below average for the chain, but our two here in Chicago are outstanding, so I’m probably biased. Pale was not hoppy at all and seemed like it needed some maturing. Brown was better and pretty nice. Mocha Porter was okay-like somebody dumped yesterdays coffee in it. They still had a pumpkin beer on tap-in mid December? Must be bad if they’re still selling it this late. Food was as good as the other locations I’ve been to. Probably about as good as you can do in Iowa.