John’s Grocery isn’t just Iowa City’s oldest grocery store, but, according to the 2020 Best of the CRANDIC survey, locals’ favorite place to shop for beer, wine and liquor. With dozens (if not hundreds) of options to choose from in each section, John’s manager Doug Alberhasky took the time to make a few recommendations. Beer […]
Beer
Booze and boos: Local beer to pair with your favorite horror movie

Haunted by a fridge full of boring beer? Creep over to the store and pick up an Iowa brew to pair with your favorite horror subgenre. Supernatural Horror The Exorcist (1973), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Ringu (1998), The Babadook (2014) Drink: Electric Banshee American Stout (ReUnion Brewery, Coralville) Electric Banshee is a pleasant, […]
A virtual tour and drive-through book signing explore Iowa City’s brewing heritage

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and John’s Grocery have teamed up for a two-day celebration of beer and Iowa City’s Northside District that includes a virtual beer tour and socially distant book signing. Iowa native and University of Iowa alumnus S.C. Sherman will sign copies of his newest book, Beer Money: A […]
Yes we can! Why canned beer is best

“From a quality-of-beer perspective, the can in a lot of ways is superior to the bottle,” Andy Joynt, head brewer for Big Grove Brewery, said. “There’s an outdated idea that cans impact the flavor of beer because there was a period of time many, many years ago it did, but that’s no longer the case.” […]
Barns and Brews of Johnson County combines beer and history
Grab your growlers, raise a glass: Brewlab closing its doors tomorrow
New Pi Co-op continues collaborative beer series with ‘Transporter,’ a granola porter

The New Pioneer Food Co-op is partnering with Iowa brewers and food producers on a series of locally-flavored collaboration beers. Brewed with ingredients or products sourced from Iowa, the beers are part of New Pioneer’s commitment to connect consumers with local producers — and to fill the store’s shelves with tasty brews, said Melissa Arp, […]
Left Hand Brewing returns to Iowa

Left Hand Brewing Company announced yesterday that a selection of its beers will return to Iowa in early August. Johnson Brothers of Iowa will distribute Left Hand’s brews across a number of Iowa locations, and the company says that the available beers will include Milk Stout, Sawtooth Ale, 400 Pound Monkey IPA, Black Jack Porter, Polestar Pilsner, Stranger Pale Ale and many seasonals like the Fade to Black series. […]
Take a ride on Millstream’s 13th Annual Tour de Brew

The Millstream Brewing Company is inviting cyclists to warm up their legs and palates for RAGBRAI on the 13th annual Tour de Brew this Saturday, July 12. Registration for the 38-mile tour costs $25 and will take place at the brewery (835 48th Ave., Amana) from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The tour will take riders through Norway, Blairstown and West Amana before returning to Millstream. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Amana Colonies Recreational Trail. […]
Beer Review: Stone Brewing’s ‘Go To’ IPA
Release party: Kalona Brewing Company kicks off new brew this Saturday
November 2013 brew of the month: Thomas Beck Black I.P.A.

Though October is my favorite month, I love November as well. The temperatures fall, the shadows lengthen and the sun sets earlier. It’s a time when coats, gloves and stocking hats become preferred attire in the stands at Kinnick Stadium, and also when I start craving darker, thicker, more malt-forward beers. Black I.P.A.s are darker […]