If you’ve never been to Iowa, you might only associate the Midwest state with politics, Hawkeye football, or corn. But if you’re a craft spirit enthusiast, you might also want to think of Iowa as a great place to explore distilleries. The Iowa distillery scene is ripe with innovative craft spirits, exciting flavors, stunning tours, and relaxing tasting rooms. See why an Iowa distillery adventure needs to be on your itinerary this summer. And discover why you’ll probably need more than one trip to see them all.

A Budding Craft Spirit Scene in Iowa

Iowa is “young” in terms of distillery tours and craft spirits. But in recent years, more and more distilleries are popping up all around the state, attracting spirit fans nationwide. The tourism communications manager at the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Jessica O’Riley, points out that Iowa has experienced “significant growth” in distilleries and touring craft spirit facilities. Citing a law change in 2017 that opened additional tourism activities, many Iowa distillery locations began “revamping their tasting rooms,” ready to accommodate guests with cocktails. For many distilleries in Iowa, revenues jumped up to 15%.

Iowa Distillery Tours and Agriculture

Another contributing factor to Iowa’s budding craft spirit scene involves the other important industry – agriculture. Distilleries here have backyard access to the home-grown ingredients needed for distilling incredible spirits. And because there is increased demand for these locally farmed ingredients, everyone has embraced the booming distillery scene, attracting tourists and supporting local farming communities at the same time.

To learn more about Iowa’s distillery scene, connect with the state’s associations and affiliates:

• Distillers Grains Technology Council – 3327 Elings Hall, Ames, Iowa 
• Iowa Distillers Alliance – Des Moines, Iowa 
• Iowa Distillery Pass – Mobile Pass to Participating Distilleries

Iowa Distillery Tours to Experience

Now that you know Iowa is a hotspot of distillery tours, tasting rooms, and brilliant spirits, it’s time to start plotting your course to sip and sample your way through the Hawkeye state. Add these craft Iowa distillery tours and adventures to your bucket list!

173° Craft Distillery: https://www.173craftdistillery.com/ 

306 1st Ave North, Clear Lake, IA 50428

Take classes or tours and sample Big Dad’s Old Fashioned, Volumetric Lemonade, or Pineapple Mojitos.

Cat’s Eye Distillery: https://www.catseyedistillery.com/ 

3232 Bear Tooth Ct, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722

OBTAINIUM, Nassif Family Reserve, and Cat’s Eye bourbons, ryes, and whiskey varieties. 

Cedar Ridge Vineyards Winery & Distillery: https://cedarridgedistillery.com/ 

1441 Marak Road Northwest, Swisher, Iowa 52338

Award-winning whiskey, wine, and live entertainment events.

Century Farms Distillery: https://cfdistillery.com/ 

2304 Hwy Blvd, Spencer, Iowa 51301

Grown corn to whiskey and bourbon varieties.

Dehner Distillery: http://www.dehnerdistillery.com/ 

7500 University Avenue, Clive, Iowa 50325

Gotcha Spirits, including ultra-purified vodka, blended whiskey, gin, and rum.

Foundry Distilling Co.: https://www.foundrydistillingcompany.com/ 

111 South 11th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265

Signature Spirits include vodka, gin, aged Manhattan, and tasting rooms.

Iowa Distilling Company: https://iowadistilling.com/ 

4349 Cumming Ave, Cumming, Iowa 50061

Tours and spirits to go, including Prairie Fire, vodka, bourbon, apple pie, rum, moonshine, and more.

Iowa Legendary Rye: https://iowalegendaryrye.com/ 

Carroll, Iowa 51401

Craft spirits include rye vodka, unaged moonshine, red label rye, black label rye, and purple label rye.

Lonely Oak Distillery: https://www.lonelyoakdistillery.com/index 

210 3rd Street, Earling, Iowa 51530

Experience small batch Steeple Ridge Single Barrel Whiskey, North Forty Vodka, and a family of vodka flavors. 

Matriarch Distillery: https://matriarchdistillery.com/ 

18389 Sunnydale Road, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503

Modern Matriarch is your rum headquarters with Silver Rum, Amber Rum, Strawberry Lemonade, and Salted Caramel Rum.

Mississippi River Distilling Company: https://www.mrdistilling.com/ 

303 North Cody Road, Le Claire, Iowa 52753

Gather with friends to enjoy the lounge, the river views, and vodka, gin, cream liqueurs, and cocktail blends.

Revelton Distillery: https://reveltondistillery.com/ 

1400 W Clay Street, Osceola, Iowa 50213

Take the tour and sample vodka, gin, whiskey, liqueur, and moonshine flavors.

S & B Farmstead Distillery: https://sbfarmsdistillery.com/ 

212 East Ramsey Street, Bancroft, Iowa 50517

This small family distillery packs big flavor punches with Sir Winston Straight Bourbon, an award-winning introduction. Check out the Bourbon, Brews & BBQ events, too.

Templeton Rye Distillery: https://templetondistillery.com/ 

209 East 3rd Street, Templeton, Iowa 51463

Your first stop to experience strong whiskey for the “strong-spirited.” Blends include four, six, and ten-year ryes, specialty rye, and sherry.

TYCOGA Winery & Distillery: https://tycoga.com/

2585 195th Street, DeWitt, IA 52742

Explore high-quality whiskey and vodka blends, perfect for cocktails.

Wildcat Distilling Co.: https://www.wildcatdistillery.com/home

626 2nd Street, Webster City, IA 50595

Sample extraordinary farm-grown craft spirits like, white corn whiskey, Jimmy red corn whiskey, and small-batch whiskey varieties. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Iowa Distillery Tours

If the Iowa distillery scene is brand-new to you, find insights from these frequently asked questions and answers to help you plan your visits.

What bourbon is made in Iowa?

There are several Iowa distillery locations that produce high-quality bourbon. One of the most notable is Cedar Ridge Bourbon, a six-time gold medal-winning spirit hailing from Iowa’s very first distillery.

Who owns Revelton Distillery?

This popular distillery hotspot is owned and operated by Rob and Christi Taylor, who were born and raised in the Hawkeye state.

What is the largest Iowa distillery?

The largest Iowa distillery and, for most, the undisputed leader in the Iowa craft whiskey market is Cedar Ridge Vineyards Winery & Distillery, located in Swisher, IA.

What drink is Iowa known for?

Iowa produces a wide variety of impeccable craft spirits, iconic brews, and signature wines. But of all its “drinks,” the Frozen Blue Water Margarita may be the state’s most beloved and signature cocktail.

What vodka is made in Iowa?

If you’re a vodka fan, you’ll appreciate that Blue Ox Vodka hails from Iowa grain and is carefully crafted here. It’s quadruple distilled for ultimate purity and smoothness.

Find All the Iowa Distillery Tours with Distillery Nearby

If your summer travels take you through the Midwest, make sure you visit some of the best Iowa distillery tours and tasting rooms! You’ll likely need more than one trip to see and sample them all! And wherever you find yourself in the U.S., keep Distillery Nearby handy so you can always find incredible craft spirits and distillery tours anywhere!