Peddling for beer in Des Moines - a small city

Early in the week Paul texted me to see if I was up for a social event. A group from his work was organizing to rent on of those beer peddling carts downtown. They needed at least twelve people. Were we in? The weather didn't look promising as I scanned the Internet, but what the heck. It sounded like fun! We were in.

On Friday night we met the group at the High Life Lounge. It had rained most of the afternoon and we drove downtown in torrential rain. But things were looking up - it was only sprinkling as we walked into the retro bar decorated with old beer signs reminiscent of the White Rose in Atlantic. Some of the people with us drank PBR, but I couldn't bring myself to step back into the world of bad beer. I went with a wheat ale. Snobby, no?

The USDA State Conservationist for Iowa retired a few months ago, so they've had a fellow here "acting" for a few months until they hire a permanent replacement. Rick is from New Hampshire where he is the State Con. The Iowa staff is determined to show him "Iowa nice". He's getting the full Iowa in my opinion - having experienced the ISU vs. Iowa game last weekend including the Tip Top bar in Ames.

We were surprised at the bar by running in to several people we knew. I know - it's Des Moines. We should expect to see people we know. First were John and Jacque Coen - a couple we've known for 10+ years when we worked with them prior to their marriage at Holy Spirit in Creston. We watched John as a young kid growing up too - St. Malachy student leading the way for Amy and Jud. They too were taking a beer bike thingy with their friends.

Then we saw Amy's college roomies Rachelle and Jenna. It's always fun to run into them and say hi and talk about our mutual loved one, our daughter Amy. I'd just spoken to her before heading into the bar - she was awaiting a flight back to Atlanta from Denver where she mixed work and fun. Rachelle and Jenna are great friends and I'm glad they've stayed in contact.

At 7 pm were were off and peddling with DJ (or BJ - he mumbled) our driver. Five people on each side peddle, a few just sit there and the driver steers and brakes for traffic. It was still misting so I was glad I had on my visor and jacket to start! We didn't go far, but it was quite enough peddling - especially when we went up hills and were chasing the unit the Coens were in. #oldstersnearlycaughtthem

view from non-peddling end seat

There were shots at a couple of the stops. Monster and cinnamon whiskey. Probably why we are starting a bit slow today. I finally got to hit AJ's on Court - where they were doing karaoke. I missed Diana McKim as I'm always her backup singer. We did catch up with Coens at our last stop, Hessen Haus, before returning the bike thingy to the garage. At that stop, Rick drank a boot of beer with the help of his friends.

Outside my sister Cindy's fave bar Locust Tap

outside of Hessen Haus with John and Jacque Coen

I enjoyed talking to Paul's co-workers and spouses about things other than work! This a lot of fun and believe I'd like to do it again sometime. Unlike other states, Iowa open container laws don't allow drinking on board the bus, but the stops were frequent enough that we didn't really miss it. I starting drinking water during the last part of the evening so that I could be the driver for the trip back to West DM and we arrived safely. On to the rest of the weekend!

Neighborhood Cruise

It was Thirsty Thursday for Pablo and me. We made our way to The Continental after work for a cocktail. He had a beer and I had a Mojito. The place was pleasantly crowed - Paul spied Kevin McCarthy from the Iowa House of Representatives in a nearby booth. Then the big kahuna from DNR - director Roger Lande walked in and took a seat. It was a happening place! The bartender wasn't any the most cheerful guy. If only they knew - a nice smile goes a long way.

Next we decided to check another spot off our list. House of Bricks, near my office on Grand. They look to be remodeling - putting in a roof garden. And and their defense, they're really more of a late night type of place, more famous for live music than for after work drinks. But the place was empty! Regardless we had our one drink necessary to say we'd done it.

The guy on the right is having a blast at the House of Bricks!

We decided to go back to the Locust Tap on our way home, but we found out our friend, the Cyclone fan bartender was in Kansas City at the Big 12 Tourney. Duh. The replacement bartender wasn't as cool. The place still reminded us of Creston. Home tomorrow.

I took this pic of us - in a mirror, over the purses. Cool, huh?

Locust Tap. Kind of a dive...

We came home to eat leftovers and watch the Cyclones. Fingers crossed they can pull out a victory!

The neighborhood

Locust Tap

Realizing our time living here in the East Village of Des Moines is fleeting, I decided we'd better start partaking in the neighborhood establishments! I took off at 3:30 PM Thursday. One perk of working here on Fridays - I've got lots of hours in. I headed home and worked out - Wii aerobics and hula hoops - 10 straight minutes, yo. Then a half hour of Just Dance 3 aerobics, finishing up just as Pablo walked in from work. How perfect - he doesn't have to watch me make an idiot of myself!

Beechwood Lounge

Paul did a short workout at the loft exercise room and we were ready to check out a couple neighborhood bars I'd been eyeing. I zapped a couple potatoes in the microwave and put them in the pan with the leftovers from Jethros from our Monday night foray - ribs and barbecued chicken, and popped it into the oven on low.

We walked a couple blocks to the Beechwood Lounge on East 4th and Walnut. It was fairly crowded and loud when we got there about 6 p.m. People were dressed up - legislators or lobbyists from the nearby Iowa State Capitol building perhaps? The bartender gave us crap about our Cyclone gear. That was one black mark for that joint - ha! I had a nice Fat Tire, whilst Paul had a Coors Lite. Cozy atmosphere - long and narrow, warm colors. When we finished our bevvies - we were off to the next place.


I've been scoping out the Locust Tap (4th and Locust) for years. It's on my normal walking route from my job in the Wallace Building to several restaurants like Jimmy Johns. It looks like it could be in Creston (kinda looks like a dive...) which earns it bonus points in my book.

The joint was pretty empty at 6:30 on a Wednesday evening, but the bartender greeted us by complementing our Cyclone gear. Now that guy gets good points as opposed to the last place!

They had me at giant bra hanging from Bud sign

We each chose the Pale Ale brewed right in in Knoxville, Iowa. Pretty stout but full-bodied (whatever that means...) After chatting with the bartender about the Cyclone Pinstripe Bowl trip (he'd attended just like we did), we started talking to the kid sitting next to us.

the place has a pay phone! and wall artwork

It turned out his name was Ben, and he was quite friendly, filling us in on other area spots to hit. (Capital City Dog has good wings he said) Ben is a 25 year-old Drake grad and Municipal Bond salesman. He lives in a loft on the west side of the river but his office is near Locust Tap so sometimes he just walks home and leaves his car parked around here. Smart kid! And not hard to look at. Just because I'm old and on a marriage diet doesn't mean I don't appreciate cuteness...

We decided this was a place we could def hang out. Will be back.

Paul sits next to Ben

We headed home - just a few minute walk - to eat our fabulous leftovers from Jethros. Our meal was my bueno! I'll pick out some other places to check out next week - but I think LT (Locust Tap) is a place we'll return to.