Beer of the Weekend #1,144: Old Tavern

The beer of the weekend last weekend was a taste of Iowa history: Old Tavern, brewed by the Confluence Brewing Company of Des Moines, Iowa.



Serving type: 12-ounce can. “CANNED SEP/09/25” was printed on the bottom.

Appearance: Poured into a pilsner glass. The color was pale, clean gold. A fluffy, buttery, bubbly head settled slowly, leaving foam stuck to the glass.

Smell: Light malt, light zest, a touch of toasted white bread, and honey.

Taste: Light malt, a touch of toasted white bread, zest, a pop of hop spice, honey. Light and easy and good drinking.

Fun facts about Old Tavern:

• Style: American light lager.

• Price: $8.99 for a sixer of 12-ounce cans at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.

• Alcohol content: 4.2 percent ABV.

• Here is the skinny about Old Tavern from the beer’s website:

At the turn of the 20th century, Des Moines Brewing Co. crafted Old Tavern Beer—a beloved local lager known for its quality and crisp, easy-drinking character. 

Brewed in the building now known as 300mlk in the heart of Des Moines, Old Tavern quickly became a staple libation across Iowa in the early 1900s—until the dry wind of Prohibition swept through, forcing the brewery to close its doors.

While the Old Tavern name changed hands a number of times over the following decades, its proud Iowan spirit was ultimately lost to time. 

Until now.

More than 100 years later, Confluence Brewing Company is bringing Old Tavern back home.

With the spirit of revival and the same commitment to quality, Confluence Brewing Company is proud to be writing Old Tavern’s newest chapter.

Bringing Old Tavern back home isn’t just a nod to the past—it’s a way of bringing a piece of Des Moines brewing history into the present.

I’m a sucker for historic beers and revival stories.

• The name just screams classic lager to me. It also reminds me of the scene in American Graffiti when a woman quips that Toad reminds her of “old Ginger.”

The Quiet Man’s grade: C.