United States, IA: Twisted Vine Brewery already open in Des Moines

Des Moines gained another craft brewery last month with the opening of Twisted Vine Brewery in the East Village, the Des Moines Register reported on July 13.

Touting a massive beer garden, Twisted Vine moved from its original location at 3320 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, into a 7,500-square-foot space at 112 S.E. Fourth St. that was previously home to The Garden nightclub.

Dalene DeGeest, one of the seven partners managing Twisted Vine, said there will be a grand opening in August as brewers continue to ramp up production in the new space.

“We had to get everything set up before we could brew and that's been the most challenging," DeGeest said. "You open your doors and people want Twisted Vines beers but we need a couple of weeks to brew them."

The new brewery features a 30-foot bar with 24 taps but there are currently only around 10 Twisted Vine beers available, including easy-drinking First Run Blonde Ale and smooth Triclops Tripel.

A second bar with 19 taps opens via garage doors to a sprawling, dog- and kid-friendly patio with views of the State Capitol and Principal Park. In August the brewery also plans to begin serving snacks and appetizers such as soft pretzels and chips and salsa.

The move, DeGeest said, was a good opportunity to provide private events and join the East Village community. Several of the brewery’s partners — DeGeest and her husband Ron, original partners Brian Sabus and Steve Becker, Tim Fight, Rob Ware and Jerry Flint — are also bicyclists and wanted the brewery to have access to bike paths.

"It really is just location, location, location," DeGeest said. "It’s like a dream come true. There’s still so much to do but it’s amazing. It feels like home already.”

Twisted Vine’s adopted building was built in 1874 and is named in the East Village’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The brewery occupies the entire first floor with a capacity of 665 people including the patio.

In 2016, the brewery and tap room moved from a space inside Madison City Winery in St. Charles to the former home of Denny Arthur’s at 3320 Westown Pkwy. in West Des Moines.

DeGeest said they wanted to maintain the building’s historic character, incorporating unusable floor boards into table tops. Originally home to Central Oil Works, the brewery plans to convert a former money vault into a miniature museum documenting the building’s and Twisted Vine’s history.

In the East Village, Twisted Vine sits just a block away from Peace Tree Brewing Co. and 1717 Brewing Co. DeGeest said she considers the proximity a benefit to be among a "tight community" of craft brewers.

“I'm really hoping this Market District becomes a craft beer destination," DeGeest said. "I've traveled to a lot of cities where craft breweries are within walks of each other and my husband and I specifically stay there for that reason."

13 July, 2022