Backpocket Brewing

Erdinger2003

Iowa

3.2/5  rDev -11.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | $$

At the end of a cobblestone road with snow falling that night is where this place is located just off of HWY 80. It's a nice warehouse with a very tall ceiling at brand new fermentors. When you walk in to see the bar you see where they partitioned part of the brewery off to make a bar. They have around a dozen small four person tables with tall seats and a bar that seats a little less than 12. They have a nice stone hearth oven to make pizzas behind the bar. They had about 5 of their regular beers on tap and two guest taps. Before they pour they have a nice new glass rinser. They have nonics, weizen glasses, and skinny mugs. I saw a German Pale Ale on the board, but didn't try that one.

Went when it was late on a friday night to find a lot of locals getting drunk on german style lagers and weizens. Loudish music with TVs mounted to the wall behind the bar with rodeos on it. Service was ok, but we got one beer and never were interacted with until we were done drinking our last and on our way out.

Overall the whole setup is amazing and new and expensive looking, but the beer isn't above average and the service at least on this night was like being at the college bars.

12-27-2012 06:29:38 | More by Erdinger2003

MarvinTheMarzen

Iowa

4.01/5  rDev +11.1%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.25 | $$

Backpocket opened their new facility in Coralville last fall and its a unique experience. Their focus is on brewing but a corner of the building is set up as a brewpub. The focus is on beer but they have a small menu (pizza and salad) but they are done very well - think artisan brick-oven pies. The staff is great and really know their stuff.
If you had been to the former location in MacGregor (which was also good) its a whole different experience. The new place is very close to I-80 so be sure to stop if you get a chance.

01-15-2013 00:01:02 | More by MarvinTheMarzen