Raccoon River Brewing Company - Des Moines, IA Brewery/BrewPub/Beer Bar Reviews cfheader name="Expires" value="#GetHttpTimeString(DateAdd("s", 30, Now()))#">
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Raccoon River Brewing Company - Des Moines, IA
Brewery/BrewPub/Beer Bar Reviews
 
November 29, 2009 @ 04:43 PM EDT
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Type: BrewPub
Raccoon River Brewing Company
Overall: Great    Score: 74.6 / 100
10th Street and Mulberry
Des Moines, IA 50309
United States
(515) 362-5222
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Listed Since: August 1997
Last Updated: April 2002
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alternatives
(7 within 5 miles)
1) A Taste of Thailand
(0 mile)
2) Court Avenue Brewing Company
(0 mile)
3) Hessen Haus
(0 mile)
4) Johnny's Hall of Fame Bar and Grill
(0 mile)
5) Royal Mile
(0 mile)
6) El Bait Shop
(0 mile)
7) Django
(0 mile)
bed & breakfasts
within 5 miles
1) Butler House on Grand
 2) Carter House Inn
 3) Cottage
nearby hotels
w/ online reservations
1) BEST WESTERN DES MOINES NORTH
 2) DES MOINES COMFORT INN
 3) EMBASSY STES ON THE RIVER
 4) FOUR POINTS DES MOINES NORTH
 5) HAMPTON INN DES MOINES AP
 6) HEARTLAND INN DES MOINES AIRPOR
 7) HOTEL FORT DES MOINES
 8) KIRKWOOD CIVIC CTR HOTEL
 9) MARRIOTT DES MOINES
 10) MARRIOTT WEST DES MOINES
 11) QUALITY INN AND STES DES MOINES
 12) QUALITY INN-STES AT EVENTS CTR
 13) RADISSON HTL DES MOINES AIRPRT
 14) RED ROOF DES MOINES INN AND SUI
 15) RODEWAY INN DES MOINES
 16) SUPER 8 DES MOINES AIRPORT IA
 17) VILLAGE INN MOTEL
(historic places)
within 5 miles
1) Abraham Lincoln High School
 2) Ainsworth, William W. and Elizabeth J., House
 3) Andrews, Josiah, House
 4) Ayrshire Apartments
 5) Bailey, William H. and Alice, House
 6) Baker, C. H., Double House
 7) Bartlett, Walter M., Double House
 8) Baum, William A. and Etta, Cottage
 9) Beeson, Byron A., House
 10) Bell, Hill McClelland, House
 11) Benham, F. A., House
 12) Burns United Methodist Church
 13) Burnstein--Malin Grocery
 14) Chaffee--Hunter House
 15) Court Avenue Bridge
 16) Crane Building
 17) Crawford House
 18) Cummins, Albert Baird, House
 19) Darling, Jay Norwood and Genevieve Pendleton, House
 20) Denny, Professor Charles O., House
 21) Des Moines Saddlery Company Building
 22) Evans, Edward B. and Nettie E., House
 23) Fire Station No. 4
 24) First Methodist Episcopal Church
 25) Fleming Building
 26) Franklin Apartments
 27) Gabriel, Rees, House
 28) Goode, Lowry W., and Hattie N., First North Des Moines House
 29) Grand View College (Old Main)
 30) Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George
 31) Haley, F.E., Double House
 32) Hallett Flat--Rawson & Co. Apartment Building
 33) Hatton, Dr. John B. and Anna M., House
 34) Hawkeye Insurance Company Building
 35) Hayes, William B., House
 36) Henshie--Briggs Row House
 37) Herndon Hall
 38) Hohberger Building
 39) Home of Marshall's Horseradish
 40) Homestead Building
 41) Hotel Fort Des Moines
 42) Iowa State Historical Building
 43) Iowa-Des Moines National Bank Building
 44) Johnson, Capt. Nicholas W. and Emma, House
 45) Johnstone, Dr. Anna E. and Andrew A., House
 46) Keeler, Rev. R. W. and Fannie E., House
 47) Kirkham, Francis M., House
 48) Knotts, Nellie and Thomas, House
 49) Kromer Flats
 50) Lexington, The
 51) Lord, Richard T. C., and William V. Wilcox House
 52) Mahnke House
 53) Maine, The
 54) Maish House
 55) Masonic Temple of Des Moines
 56) Municipal Building
 57) Naylor House
 58) New Lawn, The
 59) Norman Apartment Building
 60) Northwestern Hotel
 61) Odenweller, F. F.--James P. and Nettie Morey House
 62) Peak, George B., House
 63) Perry and Brainard Block
 64) Public Library of Des Moines
 65) Reynolds, Anson O., House
 66) Rollins, Ralph, House
 67) Rumely--Des Moines Drug Company Building
 68) Saint John's Roman Catholic Church
 69) Salisbury House
 70) Sargent's Garage
 71) Savery Hotel
 72) Scheibe, Julius, Cottage
 73) Scott, Mary A. and Caleb D., House
 74) Scottish Rite Consistory Building
 75) Sherman, Lampson P., House
 76) Simmons, John P., House
 77) Smouse, David W., Opportunity School
 78) Southeast Water Trough
 79) Southwest Fifth St. Bridge
 80) St. Ambrose Cathedral and Rectory
 81) Stevenson, Samuel A. and Margaret, House
 82) Stoner, Thomas I., House
 83) Stuart, Dr. Richard and Paulina, House
 84) Studio Building
 85) Sylvan Theater Historic District
 86) Syndicate Block
 87) Teachout Building
 88) Theodore Roosevelt High School
 89) Trent--Beaver House
 90) Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church
 91) Turner, Susie P., Double House
 92) Vail, Mrs. Marian D.--Prof. Charles Noyes Kinney House
 93) Wallace, Henry, House
 94) Warfield, Pratt and Howell Company Warehouse
 95) Weitz, Charles H. and Lena May, House
 96) West Chester
 97) Wherry Block
nearby
restaurants
(within 2 miles)
1) 801 Steak & Chop House
2) A & M European Restaurant
3) A Dong Restaurant
4) A Taste Of Thailand
5) Acapulco Restaurant
6) Allie's Restaurant
7) Antler's Lounge & Grill
8) B & B's Barbeque
9) Ban Thai
10) Baratta's Trattoria & Pizzarea
11) Basil Prosperi
12) Beggars Banquet Caterers
13) Best Western Inn
14) Big Leagues Skybox Grill
15) Big Tomato Pizza Co
16) Bistro Montage
17) Blimpie Subs & Salads
18) Boomer's Grand Grill
19) Bruegger's Bagels Bakery
20) Burger King
21) Burger King
22) Buzzard Billy's
23) Central America Restaurant
24) Chat Noir Cafe
25) Cheese Villa
26) Cheng's Oriental Buffet
27) Chezwick's
28) Chicago Dog & Deli & Pizza
29) China One
30) Classic Lunch Deli & Catering
31) Coney Island Restaurants
32) Coral Reef Cafe
33) Country Kitchen
34) Court Avenue Brewing Co
35) Dairy Queen
36) Des Moines Desserts
37) Domino's Pizza
38) Doozies
39) Drake Diner
40) Duytan Restaurant
41) Exquisine Cafe' Market
42) Federal Building Cafeteria
43) Federal Building Snack Bar
44) Flanagan's Restaurant & Lounge
45) Forty-Three Restaurant & Bar
46) Frank & Margaret's
47) Fresh Garden
48) Full Court Press
49) Garcia's Of Des Moines
50) Garden Gate Cafe
51) Gateway Deli
52) Gazalli's
53) Golden Chicken
54) Gotham Club
55) Henry J's Taco House
56) How To Eat To Live Cafe
57) Hungry Ducks
58) Java Joe's Coffee Roasters
59) Johnny's Hall Of Fame Bar
60) Judge Roy Bean's Eatin & Drnkn
61) Julio's Inc
62) K O Restaurant
63) King Ying Low Chinese
64) Kwong Tung Restaurant
65) Landmark Restaurant
66) Laos Restaurant
67) Mels Cafe
68) Mr Bibb's Burger Express
69) Mr Filet Steakhouse
70) Mr V's Restaurant
71) Mustards Restaurants
72) Nacho Mammas
73) No 1 Chinese Restaurant
74) Noah's Ark Restaurant & Lounge
75) Noodles Pasta & Sandwich Shop
76) Olympic Flame Restaurant
77) Pablo's California Taqueria
78) Paesano's Pizzeria
79) Panda Chinese Food
80) Panda Chinese Food
81) Pasticceria
82) Quenelles Restaurant
83) Sally's Old Fashion Burger
84) Sammie Jack's
85) Sbarro
86) Scruffy's Pizza-Deli-Catering
87) Something Italian
88) Somewhere Else
89) South Union Bread Cafe
90) Spaghetti Works
91) Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
92) Stella's Blue Sky Diner
93) Subway Sandwiches & Salads
94) Subway Sandwiches & Salads
95) Subway Sandwiches & Salads
96) Taco John's
97) Tacos Mariana's
98) Tastespuds
99) Three Flags Family Restaurant
100) Top's Steak House
101) Trattoria
102) Trattoria Express
103) Tumea & Sons
104) Varsity Brasserie Coffeehouse
105) Wellman's Pub
106) Winston's Pub & Grille
107) Younkers
nearby stuff

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Overall Average User Rating
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Great Great Good
Individual User Reviews
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Great Awesome! Awesome! Good
The building is great. The bar was a little dark and had a hard time reading the menu. The Tallgrass-Cheese soup was fantastic. Salad was pretty good. I tries the sampler. Tallgrass light was suprisingly refreshing and tastey. I'm not a great fan of lighter ales. Bandit and Wit were also very good. Didn't care for the Vanilla Cream and don't remember much about the red or Stout.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Bob Morseburg Bob Morseburg, Seattle, WA
(09/17/2008)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Good Good Great
I was here a month ago and had a sampler of their beers which were pretty good. I really liked the ambience of the old building. I will go again next time Im in town.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Jeff & Tammy Mason Jeff & Tammy Mason, Albuquerque, NM
(09/23/2007)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Great Great Good
I liked the IPA, the others I tried were unimpressive. Great food and service, though.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Ted Ted, Portland, OR
(08/09/2006)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good N/A Good Good
Seasonal: "Ringed Tail Rye" 4/10, where 10 is best. 12 brews on tap.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Rand Rand, Sioux Falls, SD
(05/12/2006)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Great Great Good
typical run-of-the-mill restaurant who happens to be a micro. kudos for having a rye seasonal...don't see those everyday. As for all other beers...see them everyday and nothing to note.

Had a unique pizza called Ojo-something. Excellent.

I am a beer whore, and I literally ordered a water after trying 2 beers.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Kevin Bosch Kevin Bosch, St. Louis, MO
(03/29/2006)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Good Great Good
Dropped by in order to compare with Court Avenue (see my review). RRBC is a few blocks away in a 2-level warehouse type of buidling - unsure of any historical significance. I visited here on a Saturday night and found it relatively empty (I suppose DSM locals don't come downtown.)There was a band - the usual degree of talent, but not to bad. Sat at the U-shaped bar and tried the Octoberfest (not bad, no Spaten, of course), the Homestead Red (drinkable but cannot compare to the red served at Court Avenue) and the Bandit IPA, this one I did enjoy (over CABC's)in that the hops were on board and pleasantly balanced. Still, I enjoyed the experience - after all, this sits in the middle of Budweiser Country. If I lived in DSM, I would be very greatful for RRBC - and Court Avenue. Think of the alternative: nothing but macroswill. Brrrr!

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Jerry Boesen Jerry Boesen, Gaithersburg, MD
(10/17/2005)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Good Great Great Great
First off, I could always get my wife to go because of the brie wonton appetizer. That is no longer on the menu so now I am in trouble. Our lunch was still very good and I did sample the seasonals. The JavaJoe Porter was solid, but not exceptional. The low carb Pale Ale, well what really is the point of low carb beer. I still settled on the Bandit IPA.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Paul Spyhalski Paul Spyhalski, Austin, MN
(04/17/2005)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Closed Sundays

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Bob Morseburg Bob Morseburg, Seattle, WA
(05/04/2004)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
So So Great Great Good Good
I went to this brewery instead of some of the others in the area because I saw on it's website it had an IPA as part of it's regulars. I found it to be bitter. IPA IS supposed to be bitter but it should also be complex with a malty body with a balance towards bitterness and generously hopped for flavor and aroma. This one had little body and little favor and aroma from hops. In fact, my first impresstion was this beer had no flavor other than bitterness. There was only a hint of hop flavor in the finish that was slightly unpleasant and lingered to long. I also tried the stout. It was much for complex and flavorful but needed more aging. On the brighter side, the food was pretty good and the service was decent. The beer was drinkable but, just not what I'd expected coming from a market with several brewerys to choose from. I'll try somewhere else next time I get a chance in Des Moines.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Mark Mark, Oklahoma City, OK
(01/27/2004)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great N/A Good Great
On 07 OCT 02, had their Oktoberfest brew. Excellent.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Randall Wilson Randall Wilson, Red Oak, IA
(10/13/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Good N/A Good Great
Only had time for a couple pints. Our group had a few tasters to determine what we all wanted. I enjoyed the IPA and Stout. Very nice atmosphere and decent beer. Definitely worth a visit whenever you are in downtown Des Moines.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Daryl VB Daryl VB, Huntley, IL
(07/29/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Awesome! Awesome! Great
Made it in for a late lunch and there was hardly a soul in the place. The wife tried a West Coast Wheat that was good. I had an IPA which I enjoyed and then we each had a Stonecutter Stout that was our favorite. The service was first class and the food excellent. I really liked the japanese style cucumber salad that accompanied my burger. Nice atmosphere = worth a stop when you're in town.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Toad Toad, Orangevale, CA
(07/28/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Good Good Good Great
Beautiful, upscale establishment. Red was good. Porter was great. Menu was interesting and satisfying. Busy lunch time service, but friendly and accomodating. Outdoor seating a bonus on a sunny, albeit windy, afternoon.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Carol Fielding Carol Fielding, Ann Arbor, MI
(06/12/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Awesome! Awesome! Great
Good Beer, better food, knowledgable service. Good layout and seating options.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review Algona, IA
(04/12/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
So So Great Lousy Good So So
I can usually count on the reviews provided on pubcrawler...not this time. There were 8 beers on tap: Tallgrass Lite - brewed in the spirit of American mainstream beers-lifeless and tasteless, except for some pronounced DMS flavor. Vanilla Cream Ale - sucked, this drink (as you might expect)is for women and children only. Red Ale - nondescript, not bad, but nothing to get excited about. IPA - Very nice IPA-nice hop flavor and aroma with accompanying malt flavor, could be more aggressively hopped for my taste-worth a second or third pint. Stonecutter Stout - decent stout-a little thin, but good roastiness. Cherry Wheat - a joke-was served with a maraschino cherry in the glass. Avoid this beer unless you have a persistent cough! Downtown Brown - decent brown ale-good malt aroma and smooth malt flavor. Hazel Nut Brown - hazelnut extract added, this flavor/strength does not belong in beer. Overbearing hazelnut blast! Yuck! Had to have another drink of cherry wheat to get the taste out! The service was good - waiter was somewhat informed about the beers and was willing to find the answers to my questions. Food was marginal at best-chicken was rare.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Scott Oberman Scott Oberman, Harvest,, AL
(03/05/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Awesome! Great N/A Good Great
Visited in July of 01. We had lunch and beer at the Court before finding the Racoon. Since we were traveling we were not able to sample all the brews, but what we had was excellent. We will definitly stop here any time we go through Des Moines.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from halada halada, Milwaukee, WI
(02/03/2002)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
The food was awesome. Definitely not your pub grub. My wife who is not a beer drinker is in favor of a return visit. There were five regular beers on tap with two "seasonals." I especially liked the Bandit IPA. The vanilla cream ale was a surprise although exactly as stated.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Paul Spyhalski Paul Spyhalski, Austin, MN
(11/12/2001)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Great Great Great Great
Totally unbiased review coming from the RRBC brewer himself. ;)

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from David Coy David Coy, Des Moines, IA
(08/16/2001)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Lousy Good So So Great So So
I was anticipating this trip to Raccoon, but was COMPLETELY let down!

The beers were all marginal to bad, from their Tallgrass Light (Budmilloors lite clone) to their stout, all were overhopped, skunky or just plain bad.

I had to send a steak back, since I ordered it MEDIUM, and it came to me RARE. Further, it was supposed to be a New York Strip, and it looked like a CHEAP ribeye.

Overall, a poor showing for an independent brewpub.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Steve Oswald Steve Oswald, Green Bay, WI
(06/29/2000)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Good Great Great Great
I'd give Raccoon River Brewery a slight edge among the four Des Moines area brewpubs. The majority owners are Wynkoop of Denver, but the business is operated semi-independently. Located in a 1920s era building in the southwestern part of the city's downtown area, the place is relatively spacious and open. The original terazzo floors can make it somewhat noisy when busy, however. Upstairs in a loft area is a separate bar and half a dozen excellent pool tables. There is also a small outdoor patio open during the summer. Beers are generally very good to excellent, with an adequate selection. Head brewer Dave Coy cares about the quality of his product. The food is a cut above that of most brewpubs, with an interesting menu and prices at the upper end of the moderate range. Service is generally excellent and the staff is well acquanited with the menu. As with many such places, it can be crowded on the weekend nights but is definitely worth a visit on a weekday evening or for lunch.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Bill Pierce Bill Pierce, Des Moines, IA
(02/25/1999)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Good Good Good Good Good
Nothing special. Vanilla Cream Ale was different. The Pumpkin seasonal was nice, but the Railyard was mossy and the IPA was so so. I had the BBQ shrimp appetizer, very good. This was my second visit, I remember the first being the same.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Ray Mickiewicz Ray Mickiewicz, Spencer, MA
(12/04/1998)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
Great Food and Excellent Beer. Dave Coy (Brewmaster) can brew it up!

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from David Smith David Smith, Brooklyn, IA
(09/07/1998)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Good Awesome! Great Great
More like a big city. Food is closer to gourmet than pub grub. Super design of the building, plus excellent billiard tables on the second level.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Phil R. Phil R., Des Moines, IA
(08/28/1998)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
N/A Great N/A Lousy Lousy
Stopped in after checking out the Court Ave. Brewing Co.(which is great!) My party sat at a table for 10-12 minutes and no one ever approached us to take our order. After checking out the beer selection and nice new building we left to return to Court Ave. which is 5 blocks away.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from John Morgan John Morgan, Cedar Rapids, IA
(08/26/1998)
Beer Quality Beer Selection Food Service Overall
Great Good Great Good Good
I visited in Aug. 97, it was then a very new brewery, I sampled their ales, all were average to good. My favories were Bandit IPA, and Tall Grass Prairie Gold.

The service was good considering that they were still training newbies and it was the "noon rush". Recommend that you visit this place, then go down to Court Ave. Brewing just down the street. Iowa is a great place to tour microbreweries.

Write Your Review Reply to this Review Report Review See more reviews from Sean McReynolds Sean McReynolds, St. Charles, MO
(02/20/1998)




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