Court Avenue Brewing Company

morimech

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This place came highly recommended by the locals. Sat in the bar area in the moderately lit establishment. A few TVs tuned to the local basketball games and later to a Premier Football match. Volume level was low and conversations could be held at normal indoor levels. After 7 PM the place really slowed down. The thing that impressed me the most, and with every establishment in Des Moines for that matter, was the exceptional service. Fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. When time permitted, our server came over and chatted with us. I was happy to tip big.

My buddy and I each ordered a beer flight sampling each of their current beers. Highlights were the stout and brown ale. The IPA had a huge tropical fruit thing going on. The hefe was a bit of a disappointment as I thought it was undercarbonated. We both thought their barrel-aged beers were the biggest disappointment. Very raw and boozy. Could of benefited from some blending.

Food was excellant. I ordered the braised pot roast and my buddy ordered the Cabco Sandy. Each of us left satisfied and happy.

The next time I am Des Moines, I will be coming back to this brewpub. Come for the beer, stay for the service and food.

03-05-2011 00:15:36 | More by morimech

MilwaukeeCrusher

Wisconsin

4.39/5  rDev +11.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.25 | selection: 5 | $$$

Ok, this place really impressed me and considering it where it is it is an absolute must stop for me if passing through town. I thought the Honest Lawyer was outstanding as well as their IPA that was aged in Templeton Rye whiskey barrels, 21st Amendment. Why I don't hear more about this place is beyond me. The atmosphere was subdued but it was an afternoon when I stopped. I didn't try any food. It was a little pricey and the service was ok, as it appeared the servers didn't know as much as the people making the beer. After some debate, I talked myself into buying one growler instead of two. Maybe next time...

03-15-2013 01:15:30 | More by MilwaukeeCrusher

msubulldog25

Oregon

4/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Visit August 28, 9:15 - 10:00pm

Came close to calling it a night, after a hearty dinner at Exile Brewing and a long day of travel from the West Coast. Really? But my internal clock says it's barely 7:00pm...let's go see Des Moines! I walked about 7 blocks from Hotel Fort Des Moines through a mostly deserted downtown, then turn the corner to the decidedly lively Court Avenue stretch of bars... what a contrast. Court Avenue's entrance sits mid-block, an historic structure that contrasts much of what I've seen so far in this city (many new structures and more parking garages than I've ever seen). Entry is down a central hall that opens to a couple rambling dining rooms, fringed with raucous booths of happy patrons. There's a large glass enclosure around the working brewhouse and a display case filled with autographed mugs - from local sports talent who've moved on to bigger things to Hollywood stars. Cool space - big, old without feeling too dated - I like it.

I grabbed a seat mid-bar, a couple stools down from a fellow beer geek (the copious note-taking and sampler-tasting was a dead giveaway; we nodded a silent 'hello'). The bartop is a sturdy one and its backed by exposed brick and loads of glassware and booze. A small chalkboard announces the draft beers in categories: Core, Premium, Seasonal, Cask and Reserve. The 'Core' five on this night are: Two Rivers Light, Belgian White, Honest Lawyer IPA, Pointer Brown and Blackhawk Stout. 'Premium': 21st Amendment and Infatuation (Belgian 'Flanders'). 'Seasonal' was the Capital City Red, 'Cask' the Soulful Saison (hmmmm, not sure about saison on cask...), and 'Reserve' was the awesomely named 'Dr. Z's Old Tyme Aphrodisical Health Tonic' (supposedly the final beer crafted by a former brewer).

I'd just finished stuffing myself barely an hour earlier, so no food was necessary. But from the beer list, I was able to try the Infatuation, Honest Lawyer, Saison and 'Tonic' (which was a hopless gruit - and a good one). Jessica was my bartender and she was terrific - friendly and generous with samples. The one I ultimately chose was the 21st Amendment, a phenomenal barrel-aged APA (reviewed separately) that blew me away. I enjoyed the chatter at the bar and, behind me, in the booths and appreciated a brief history lesson on local Templeton Rye Whiskey (its barrels are what 21A is aged in). My tab was $7... spendy for a single pour of 'Premium' beer perhaps, but dirt cheap considering the other tasters freely offered. I left a $10 and off I went, but I'd gladly return to CABC if/when I ever repay the city a visit.

09-04-2012 23:11:41 | More by msubulldog25

bashiba

Iowa

3.7/5  rDev -6.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5 | $$$

Seemed to be a pretty freindly laid back place, cool old building and nicely laid out.

Overall the wait service was very ordinary, but the manager was very freindly and helpful, even offering a tour while they were brewing.

The beer itself was good, and the food while not being anything real exciting.

Selection was fairly limited, I think they only had 5 or 6bicarbonate taps with mostly ordinary styles.

The prices seemed a bit high in spots, the food prices were fine, but I thought the drink prices were a bit inflated for what we were drinking. I also tend to get a couple pint glasses anywhere I go, and $7.50 for a logo shaker pint glass is easily the most I have ever paid, not even a color logo.

Nice place overall, will probably give another go the next time im in the area.

04-04-2012 19:41:08 | More by bashiba

ndolover

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3 | $$

A large brick building located in downtown Des Moines. I was pleasently surprised by the atmosphere and beers on tap.

The huge deal was the cider on tap. Sutliff cider was a guest tap and I loved it! Voted a top 30 cider in the world on rate beer.

The brewer obviously knows what he/she is doing. They have IPA, stouts, and the usual fair. Along with a few barrel and sour offerings! The beers were all solid. I would reccomend this brewpub to anyone traveling through the area. Take note, that it is a bit more upscale for an average brewpub in Iowa. So be prepared for lawyers. =)

07-14-2011 17:09:37 | More by ndolover

AlleywayRover

Nebraska

4.28/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$$

Walked in looking for a brewery on a business trip in Des Moines. Court street was alive and vibrant that night. Court Ave Brewing Company was a nice, quiet sanctuary from the chaos outside.

The bar is dimly lit and has a huge collection of membership mugs lining the top of the bar area. There were some really cool paintings of an artists rendition of various beer styles and some of the breweries signs for their own beers of years past (I'm guessing. I didn't see any of those beers on tap.)

I ordered a tasters rack and a pint of whatever beer I liked best (That turned out to be the 21st Amendment.) Ray and Jake were running the bar area and would take a moment whenever they got the chance to ask me how I enjoyed the beers. Ray, at one point, slipped me a taste of their Boers's Best Rye Barley Wine which I really appreciated.

I had a really good time here last night and I will be sure to stop here again.

06-18-2011 20:11:06 | More by AlleywayRover

MarcatGSB

Michigan

4.14/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

Beautiful brick building located right in downtown Des Moines, I liked the outside of the building. You walk into two huge swinging doors, and are greeted by a friendly, 1910 to 1920 decor restaurant bar.

We head to the bar to get started! I had read on the website that they had a casked "Mole, Mole, Mole". Well, I'm guessing this is a peppered beer. BING! It was a peppered stout, and it was tasty. I usually have to try every cask offering a brewpub has, and this was no let down. It had some great spice, and a good malt body to support it. Also tried the Honest Lawyer IPA, and it was also very good. A more malty IPA, but it had a great balance.

The 21st Amendment was next on the list, and I'd give it a B- or so. I thought the Rye was overpowering. I like rye Whisky (although not Templeton), but this was a little much. Not too much alcohol flavor, just the rye profile.

Also tried the wheat wine, which I thought was fantastic. Have recently read a little about wheat wines, but never had one before, and I was very impressed.

Overall, I will go back, and I'd recommend it to anyone who is in the area.

02-28-2011 15:38:23 | More by MarcatGSB

Yetiman420

Ohio

4.41/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I was in town on business and got to spend a Thursday night touring the three brewpubs that have creative license to brew beers on site.

Ranked by quality of beer, they are - Court Avenue, Rock Bottom, and Raccoon River.

Court River was my first stop around 5:00. Taking into account atmosphere, service, selection, and quality, it was an excellent experience for what I expected in a small Midwest town.

Light
Wit
Hefe
Black IPA
West Coast IPA
APA
Brown
Dry Oatmeal Stout
Cask Pumpkin ale
Biere de Garde
Red Ale in Bourbon Barrell
Local made Sutliff Cider

Comments on the beers I had...
Hefe - good
APA aged in rye barrel with Cascade and Amarillo hops
West Coast IPA piney and citrusy aroma with a bit of a dirty finish
Black IPA seemed too roasty but I'm still learning about this style. Did not seem like an IPA but more of a porter.
Red was nice and balanced with the bourbon
Cask Pumpkin was subtle, nice, but thin
Stout had great roasty aroma and flavor but too cold

Really nice bar area with exposeed brick, tall ceilings and light from the windows to the sidewalk patio out front.
Bar stools were too low.
Brewer came from Great Divide Brewing and has ambitious beers on the way.
Server was super friendly, knew his beer very well, and even helped out with the brewing a couple of hours a week.

10-22-2010 02:18:04 | More by Yetiman420

palmdalethriller

California

4.3/5  rDev +9.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

My brother and I stopped by in the middle of a road trip from Boston to Sacramento. Although it is located in the court district of Des Moines, it was a very sleepy late Monday afternoon.

The bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable and pointed me toward a double ESB that I really enjoyed. We also had the Naked Red on cask, the Blackhawk Stout, Honest Lawyer IPA, and the 21st ammendment pale ale. All were good, but the double ESB was the star.

The food was very, very good. We shared an appetizer (half off for happy hour) of crab-stuffed Boursin mushrooms that were perfect, and a tasty artichoke heart pizza that featured deliciously fresh cheese on top.

The artwork on the walls was a nice touch as well, with several paintings to match some of their beers. Combined with the comfortably low lighting and the brewhouse located behind a glass wall in the bar, court ave brewing had a real nice atmosphere.

08-03-2010 16:58:28 | More by palmdalethriller

jt31914

Michigan

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Everything about this brewery was great, except the service. Our waiter was stiff as can be and made several mistakes on orders (nothing serious, but still enough to be annoying). He seemed like he hated his job and thus was a hindrance to the meal. Other than that the brewery was great. Nice beer selection, all of the beers were at least decent and several were very good. The food was great (I got fish and chips) and the menu was big enough to be satisfying without being overwhelming. It wasn't very bar-like in terms of atmosphere, but it was still a fun place to be.

06-15-2010 02:31:11 | More by jt31914