USA, IA: Field Day Brewing Co. seeking building approval in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor

The owner of Tin Roost, 30Hop and other popular restaurants in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor is seeking approval from North Liberty to start building his next business venture: Field Day Brewing Co., the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported on January 9.

Brian Flynn's new venture, a microbrewery, cleared its first municipal hurdle when the North Liberty Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the site plan application last week. It is proposed to be a 20,910-square-foot complex on 3.9 acres of land located at 925 and 945 Liberty Way.

The renderings show a large building with a falcon and the name "Field Day Brewing Co." emblazoned on the side with a large outdoor patio space out back. The outdoor space will face a pond that adjoins the Liberty Centre neighborhood.

"There's a lot of development in North Liberty right now, and we feel that being a part of that and helping North Liberty grow is going to be a big opportunity for not just us, but the whole city," Flynn said.

In an interview with the Press-Citizen, Flynn said he and his business partners hope the microbrewery reflects other buildings in the area with its design, much like like Tin Roost, which will be virtually next door to it.

The site plans for the microbrewery would have to be approved by North Liberty City Council at its next meeting Tuesday. Assuming that happens, Flynn said Field Day Brewing Co. could open its doors in 2023.

Flynn said, with supply chain issues, construction costs and labor shortages, it would be "nothing short of a miracle" when the microbrewery eventually gets built.

Flynn said he hopes Field Day can be a place for entertainment and for people to hang out, but also, of course, a restaurant that produces its own beer.

"Part of our keys to success is that a lot of people will want to drive to the area," he said. "People come for the beer releases with other breweries like Toppling Goliath and Big Grove."

The microbrewery would join a slew of businesses on Liberty Way, including Tin Roost, Pancheros and Subway, in what is becoming a thriving commercial center for the rapidly growing Iowa City suburb. The Planning and Zoning Commission last week also approved a site plan application for a new Taco Bell at 1000 Liberty Way.

Flynn said he thinks Field Day and Tin Roost could end up complementing each other rather than opening that space up to more competition.

10 January, 2022