A great beer doesn’t have to shout to be unforgettable. Confluence Brewing Company in Des Moines, Iowa, proves that point every day with classic styles brewed with precision, balanced flavors, and a welcoming taproom that feels like a neighborhood living room. If you’re planning a beer trip through the Midwest—or you’re a local looking for a reliable, well-made pint—this spotlight walks you through what to drink, what to expect, and how to make the most of your visit.
- Address: 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
- Website: https://www.confluencebrewing.com/
What You’ll Learn
- What makes Confluence’s classic styles stand out—clean fermentation, honest ingredients, and tight processes
- Why balance and drinkability are the brewery’s calling cards
- How Confluence supports the Des Moines community through events and partnerships
- Taproom vibe, food options, and smart pairing tips
- Practical planning advice, from parking to to-go beer
Why Confluence Brewing Company Belongs on Your Beer Map
Confluence built its reputation by mastering fundamentals. Instead of chasing fads, the team focuses on clean lagers, expressive-but-composed pale ales and IPAs, malt-forward ambers and browns, and seasonal specialties that showcase skill, not sugar. The house style is consistent across the board: aroma-forward beers with a dry landing, carbonation that keeps flavors lively, and recipes that pair well with food. That’s why locals treat Confluence as a weeknight staple and a weekend destination.
Three pillars define the experience:
- Precision in brewing: Healthy yeast, tight temperature control, and oxygen management protect clarity, aroma, and crisp finishes.
- Balance across styles: Bitterness supports rather than dominates; malt adds depth without turning heavy; sours refresh rather than pucker.
- Community at the core: Events, charity tie-ins, and a location connected to Des Moines trails make Confluence a natural gathering spot.
The Beer: Classic Styles, Executed Clean
Lagers and Pilsners: The Calibration Pints
If you want a quick read on a brewery’s process, start with a lager. Confluence’s lagers typically pour bright and clear, with sturdy foam and a snappy, mineral-driven finish. Expect noble-leaning hop notes (herbal, floral, peppery) over a delicate grain base. These beers show the discipline behind the scenes—clean fermentations and patient conditioning that take time and care.
What to notice:
- Tight carbonation that lifts aromas and resets the palate
- Grain character that reads fresh and crackery, not sweet
- A dry finish that invites the next sip
Best pairings:
- Pretzel with mustard
- Fried chicken sandwich or fish and chips
- Caesar salad or herb-forward greens
Pale Ales and IPAs: Aroma First, Balanced Finish
Confluence treats hops as seasoning, not a dare. The hop-forward lineup usually leans citrus, pine, and light tropical fruit, depending on the recipe and seasonal availability. Late kettle additions and dry-hopping deliver saturated aroma; the bitterness is firm enough to refresh but never harsh. The result is a set of pale ales and IPAs you can enjoy across a whole meal.
Traits you’ll taste:
- Grapefruit, orange peel, pine, or mango on a lean malt base
- Clean, supportive bitterness without scraping the palate
- Dry finishes that keep flavors bright
Pairing hits:
- Pepperoni pizza or charred veggie flatbreads
- Smash burger with sharp cheddar
- Fish tacos with lime crema or blackened shrimp
Amber, Brown, and Malt-Forward Styles: Depth Without Heaviness
Classic amber and brown ales get a thoughtful touch at Confluence. Expect caramel, toasted bread, light cocoa, or nutty notes layered over moderate bitterness and enough carbonation to keep the beer lively. These pints shine in cooler months and play nicely with comfort food.
Try them with:
- BBQ pulled pork or smoked brisket sliders
- Roasted chicken or mushroom toast
- Semi-firm cheeses and charcuterie
Wheat Beers and Kölsch-Style Ales: Soft, Bright, and Food-Friendly
When the menu leans lighter, step into wheat beers or Kölsch-style ales. Look for gentle fruit and spice from yeast, fresh grain character, and a crisp close. These are “share with anyone” beers—flavorful, approachable, and perfect for a patio day.
Pair with:
- Salads with citrus vinaigrette
- Grilled chicken or shrimp
- Fresh goat cheese plates
Sours and Fruited Specialties: Refreshment Over Gimmick
Confluence’s sour and fruited releases favor mouthwatering acidity and real fruit character over candy-sweet profiles. Think citrus, berries, or stone fruit layered into a tart, clean base. It’s the kind of beer that refreshes your palate mid-flight.
Pairing ideas:
- Ceviche or shrimp cocktail
- Arugula and goat cheese salad
- Cheesecake or lemon bar
How They Brew: Process That Protects Flavor
- Fermentation discipline: Healthy yeast and precise temps keep lagers crisp and hop-forward ales free of distracting esters. Clean profiles let aroma and malt nuance shine.
- Hop strategy with intention: Late-addition hopping and dry-hopping extract desirable oils without overshooting bitterness, so beers pair easily with salty, charred, or spicy foods.
- Lean grists and attenuation: Drier finishes make beers more refreshing and prevent palate fatigue.
- Freshness culture: Cold storage, clear date codes, and fast-moving taps protect volatile hop compounds and carbonation snap.
Bottom line: Confluence’s beers taste composed because the process behind them is tight.
Build a Smart Flight
To catch the details, go clean to bold:
1) Pilsner or Kölsch-style (calibrate; note clarity, foam, and snap)
2) Pale Ale (aroma-first hops on a lean base)
3) IPA (compare bitterness, aroma density, and dryness)
4) Amber/Brown or Malt-Forward Seasonal (contrast hop weight with malt depth)
5) Fruited Sour or Specialty (acidity or dessert-leaning notes as a closer)
Flight tips:
- Slip in water and a mini lager taster between aromatic beers to reset your palate.
- If two hop-forward beers share a base but feature different hop varieties, taste side-by-side to feel each hop’s signature.
Taproom Atmosphere: Warm, Relaxed, and Easy to Navigate
Confluence’s taproom feels like a community living room: bright board, easy ordering, and staff who can translate “citrusy and dry” or “malty but not sweet” into the right pour. The layout supports both focused tastings and long hangs with friends.
What to expect:
- Pace: Lively but conversational—no need to shout to trade notes
- Seating: Bar rails for solo tasters, communal tables for groups, and often seasonal patio space
- Service: Friendly and informed; staff are pairing-savvy without jargon
Family- and dog-friendliness:
- Families: Daytime and early evenings are comfortable with quick service and shareable plates
- Dogs: Policies vary by season and space—check the website or posted rules before you bring your pup
Community Ties: Local Roots, Real Impact
Confluence is plugged into Des Moines life. The brewery’s proximity to the city’s trails and riverfront makes it a natural stop for cyclists, runners, and walkers. On the calendar you’ll often find:
- Fundraisers and charity events that support local causes
- Pop-up markets featuring regional makers and food partners
- Release days that double as neighborhood gatherings
Why it matters: When a brewery becomes a meeting place, it’s not just selling beer—it’s strengthening the fabric of the city. Confluence leans into that role with consistent events and a welcoming vibe that brings regulars back week after week.
Food: Pairing-Ready Plates and Local Partners
Confluence’s food options and rotating partners focus on flavor elements that make beer pop—salt, char, citrus, herbs, and a touch of heat. Depending on the day, you’ll find in-house offerings, food trucks, or guidance to nearby spots that match a tasting session.
Great pairings:
- Pilsner/Kölsch + pretzel with mustard or fried chicken sandwich: Carbonation and hop snap cut salt and fry oil
- Pale Ale + fish tacos or lemony salad: Citrus-forward hops mirror dressing; dry finish keeps bites bright
- IPA + pepperoni pizza, jerk wings, or Italian sub: Grapefruit-pine bitterness balances fat and spice
- Amber/Brown + BBQ sliders or roasted mushrooms: Toast and light caramel meet char and umami
- Fruited Sour + ceviche or goat cheese salad: Acidity refreshes; fruit ties into citrus and herbs
Pro tip: Salt amplifies perceived bitterness. If your plate leans salty, choose a lager, pale ale, or fruited sour before the firmest-bitter IPA.
Local Flavor: Make It a Des Moines Day
Confluence’s location makes it easy to stack a few classic Des Moines experiences around your visit.
Ideas to round out your plan:
- Trails + pints: Bike or walk the nearby paths, then cool down with a lager and a snack
- Downtown loop: Explore the sculpture park, shops, or the Farmers’ Market (in season) before a relaxed flight
- River time: Pair a stroll along the river with an early evening IPA and a shareable plate on the patio
Insider tips:
- Sunny weekends fill fast—arrive early for prime patio seats
- Bring a small cooler or insulated bag for to-go cans; heat dulls hop aroma and softens carbonation
Practical Planning
Getting There and Parking
- Address: 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
- Parking: On-site and nearby options; event days and sunny weekends can be busy—arrive early or consider rideshare
Best Times and Events
- Best times: Weekday afternoons for focused flights and staff chats; early evenings and weekends for full energy
- Events: Check the website and social channels for markets, fundraisers, tappings, and seasonal celebrations
To-Go Beer and Freshness
- Cold cans: Expect staples plus seasonals; look for clear date codes
- Limited drops: Small-batch runs can move fast—ask staff what’s new
- Keep it cold: Protect aroma and carbonation with a cooler bag on warm days
Merch Highlights
- Des Moines-forward apparel and hats
- Branded glassware suited to lagers and ales (Willi bechers, nonic pints)
- Stickers and prints that nod to local trails and river life
Sample Itineraries
One-Hour “Clean-to-Hop” Sprint
- Start: Pilsner or Kölsch (10–12 oz)
- Middle: Pale Ale (aroma-first, dry finish)
- Close: IPA or a malt-forward Amber/Brown
- To-go: Mixed 4-pack—one lager, one pale, one IPA, one seasonal
Easy Evening with Pairings (90–120 Minutes)
- Begin: Lager + pretzel with mustard
- Move: Pale Ale + fish tacos or a citrusy salad
- Add: IPA + pepperoni pizza or jerk wings
- Finish: Fruited Sour or malt-forward seasonal + a light dessert or cheese plate
Why Beer Travelers Should Visit Confluence
- Classic styles, nailed: Clean lagers, balanced pale ales and IPAs, and malt-forward favorites that show control
- Drinkability with depth: Beers finish dry and crisp, making full flights enjoyable
- Community-first energy: Events and a trail-adjacent location turn a pint into a plan with friends
- Quality you can taste: Tight processes protect aroma, clarity, and freshness across the board
Conclusion: Plan Your Visit to Confluence Brewing Company
Set your route to 1235 Thomas Beck Rd and check confluencebrewing.com for hours, events, and current taps. Start with a crisp lager to calibrate, follow with a pale ale for hop aroma, and add an IPA or malt-forward seasonal to feel the brewery’s balance in action. Pair each pour with something citrusy, charred, or a bit spicy, and grab a mixed 4-pack for the fridge. Whether you’re a Des Moines regular or a traveler passing through, Confluence delivers what many breweries promise but few achieve: classic styles brewed with precision, a finish that invites another sip, and a space built for community.
