Stompbox Brewing | Davenport, IA
Beer Trip: Stompbox Brewing in Davenport, Iowa
Often traveling for work, it’s always a pleasant surprise to find a brewery within walking distance of the hotel. Downtown Davenport has several that are within a short stroll, with Stompbox Brewing being one of them. This vibrant place just off the Mississippi River is definitely worth checking out.
The Brewery
It seems like certain regions latch onto what a brewery should feel like, and that specific vibe is what you’ll find across all of the area’s tap rooms. The Quad Cities is anything but standard, as the area has a unique diversity amongst its brewery atmosphere that we don’t often see on our travels. Stompbox has an environment that’s a cross between an upscale New York bar and a Hard Rock restaurant. The inside space has a U-shaped bar that divides the area in half, with one side being all high-top tables and chairs, and the other half having ritzy brown leather booths that accent the navy walls perfectly. Scattered about you’ll find nods to rock and roll music, like photos of rockers on the walls, custom scrap metal guitars over the bar, and a display of instrumental foot pedals known as “stomp boxes.” The outdoor area has tons of picnic tables, and lines the entire east side of the building, which means it is shaded during the afternoons - making the space usable during most times of the year.
The Beer
Stompbox consistently maintains 12 different brews on tap, with 3 of those being flagships. They organize their menu via the categories Hoppy, Light, Dark, and Fruity - which we feel is a good way to direct people towards a flavor option. Their menu on this visit lined up perfectly with our beer style preferences, featuring multiple IPAs, pilsners, a blonde, porter, and a sour, along with a few others. A first for us, their coasters at the bar are hand-crafted crochet pieces made by one of their bartenders!
In our opinion, Stompbox produces some of the better beers in the area. One worth mentioning is their flagship IPA called Sacred Geometry. This New England style IPA is different than most in that it is rather floral yet has a lot of haze that balances it well. Their milk stout, Etched in Oblivion, seemed to be more in line with a traditional stout, as it wasn’t overly smooth but still provided a roasty, mouth-coating flavor that makes it a solid choice. The last one to note was the When the Levee Breaks Mexican Lager. It’s tough to beat a beer like this on a warm afternoon, as the lime and light brew mix together to form one extremely crushable drink.
Food, Merch, & More
In addition to being a brewery, Stompbox has a full kitchen that seemed to be in frequent operation for its happy hour patrons. They have a nice assortment of appetizers, along with burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas for a more substantial meal. While we didn’t stay for dinner, everything appeared to be delicious as we watched it come out of the kitchen.
Craft beer is obviously Stompbox’s thing, but you can also order cocktails, wine, and several non-alcoholic options here as well. Their merchandise selection is a bit hidden from view against a side wall, but features t-shirts, pullovers, and hats. You can also get mix-and-match 4-packs of their beer to-go upon request from the bartender.
Stompbox was the perfect place to settle in on a sunny afternoon in town. Its awesome beer and upscale atmosphere make this brewery one worth the stop!
Cheers!
