Iowa wineries now serve beer

THURMAN, Iowa — Wine has been flowing through southwest Iowa, but now wheat, barley and hops are in the mix.

This year, Iowa legislators approved the sale of beer at wineries starting July 1. It was a welcome surprise for Frank and Amy Faust of Sugar Clay Winery near Thurman.

“We didn’t know it was going to happen,” Frank Faust said. “We had planned to start a brewery with my dad.”

Faust said that the plan had been to lease some land to Paul Faust. While all the paperwork and licensing was being processed, they built a building for the brewery. But plans are on hold with the new legislation.

“We put everything on hold for the harvest,” Faust said. “Dad helps us with the process.” He said the legislation makes it easier in the meantime. Craft beer, he said, is a great addition to Sugar Clay.

Working with the Nebraska Brewing Company in Papillion, Neb., Faust set up an entire tap system to serve craft beer — and only craft beer.

There’s a “serious” craft beer called Indian Pale Ale that customers seem to like.

“But it’s more than I can handle,” he said with a laugh. However, Faust prefers craft beer to mainstream brands, and he likes to support local industries.

King’s Crossing Vineyard and Winery near Glenwood has also started selling beer. The usual fare of Samuel Adams, Bud Light and Blue Moon are served in bottles because the winery’s customers are mostly interested in wine, said owner Karen Foster.

Breezy Hills near Minden serves microbrews from Ames (Dinky Wheat) and the Amana Colonies (Shild Brau).

The winery owners may differentiate on the ale they sell, but they agree the new law enhances the business.

“Wives tends to want wine, and husbands tend to want beer,” said Faust.

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