A preview of Big Grove Brewery’s new Cedar Rapids taproom Thursday, Dec. 7, offered a glimpse of the lager house-style facility that marks a significant milestone for the Kingston Yard entertainment and mixed-use development project at First and First West.
The brewery’s newest location, at 170 First St. SW, is set to open to the public at 11 a.m. next Thursday, Dec. 14. It’s designed to highlight the history of Cedar Rapids with old-world, heritage-style lagers unique to Cedar Rapids, along with fusion dishes and pop-culture mural artwork.
“The goal is to celebrate Cedar Rapids,” said Nate Kaeding of Built To Suit, one of the co-developers of Kingston Yard. “We want this to be a community ‘living room’ that’s easy to get to, centrally located off Interstate 380.”
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VIDEO: See what’s in store at Big Grove’s Cedar Rapids location
Beer lineup to feature Cedar Rapids-specific brews
Among the highlights of the 20-tap Cedar Rapids taproom will be a selection of craft beers unique to Cedar Rapids, emphasizing the city’s Czech and Bohemian brewing heritage.
The opening day lineup will feature a Czech dark lager, a Czech pilsner, a Bavarian hefeweizen and a Vienna lager, plus Big Grove staples such as Easy Eddy IPA and Citrus Surfer Fruited Wheat.
The on-site brewery will feature a unique design, Big Grove director of brewing Andy Joynt said.
“It’s a rare, 15-barrel lager house-style brewing set and very accessible to view from the taproom,” Mr. Joynt said.
The brewery will feature open fermentation, with finishing in horizontal lager vessels.
“They’re something that we’ve absolutely fallen in love with,” he noted.
The on-site brewing operation is expected to launch by late December, with brews ready for public serving by mid-to-late January. The Cedar Rapids will initially be created at other Big Grove locations before transitioning to on-site brewing.
Distinct dishes to celebrate heritage with a flavorful edge
Big Grove executive chef Chef Benjamin Smart, the 2018 Iowa Restaurateur of the Year, has developed a range of unique offerings for the Big Grove Cedar Rapids taphouse, ranging from scratch-made bread and bar snacks to traditional and approachable dishes.
Big Grove Chef de Cuisine (head chef) and Cedar Rapids native Chris Vurciaga noted that the menu will include savory fusion-style creations like Reuben bao buns and smoked pork burrito bowls.
Mr. Vurciaga said the burrito bowl is a nod to his own Hispanic heritage. It features a pork shoulder, smoked and braised overnight, and including braised black beans and soffritto with cumin and cilantro rice, pickled red cabbage and jalapenos, crema, shaved radish and pickled jalapenos.
“The burrito bowls started out in Iowa City,” he said. “Des Moines has one now, and we have another one. I hope this is the best one so far.”
Other unique dishes include:
- Szechuan-style spicy fried chicken, featuring brined chicken thighs dredged in cornstarch and a seasoning mix, then deep fried and tossed in a szechuan powder with peppers and cilantro;
- Gluten-free fried brussel sprouts in sriracha vinaigrette with toasted almonds and fresh cilantro and finished with agave for sweetness and tamari for saltiness;
- A Cedar Rapids-specific burger with a brioche bun, two patties with special seasoning, and bread-and-butter pickles; and
- A brewer’s board, featuring a homemade soft pretzel served with mustard and Boomtown beer cheese, with cornichons, peppers and house-made sauerkraut on the side.
Mr. Vurciaga said he feels dishes like these can be enjoyed with the lighter, lager-style brews that will be featured in Cedar Rapids. He also said he feels the menu will provide new options for the local market.
“We do have the regular bar food, everyday hits like chicken sandwiches and wings,” he said. “But we think that Cedar Rapidians are a little adventurous, and they don’t mind some spice and trying different things. We could just do basic food and still hit our target audience, but as chefs we want to do something fun and bold. If we were just doing burgers and chicken sandwiches, there’s not a lot of heart in that. There’s not a lot of growth. So we like to try different things and take big swings.”
Mr. Vurciaga’s story is one of redemption. He talks freely about his troubled past, including a five-year prison stint in Missouri, and said his love of cooking helped him find his life’s purpose.
“When I first started cooking, I was out in the Kansas City area, and when I moved back home, I kicked around in a lot of kitchens and never really found a home. I think I didn’t try because I was afraid that someone wouldn’t want to hire a felon. But I decided to go to culinary school, and I met Ben Smart there.
“In this industry, it doesn’t matter where you come from or your background,” he added. “We have people from all backgrounds, all ages, all preferences and orientations. We’re all unified in trying to make awesome food and awesome beer, and we do it in a workplace that’s fun and accepting. I’m always inspired to grow.”
Decor honors city’s history of industry, innovation
Wood-paneled ceilings, industrial furnishings and mural artwork by artist Jamie Boling highlight pop culture while celebrating the depth of history and innovation in Cedar Rapids.
The taproom itself encompasses over 21,000 square feet, with 11,300 square feet indoors and a 9,750-square-foot patio area with fire pits and a variety of seating options.
The brewery will offer seating for 225 patrons, including an event space with a capacity of 120 and an option to add patio space.
The wood ceilings and industrial design are a nod to Cedar Rapids’ manufacturing history, and the patio features reclaimed bricks from Cedar Rapids streets.
“We want this to be comfortable for large and small groups,” Big Grove chief growth officer Dave Moore said.
“Downtown continues to see upward momentum, and the addition of Big Grove Brewery is a huge piece of that equation,” said Nikki WIlcox, director of strategic development for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “Adding another locally-owned restaurant will help to increase the number of visitors to the downtown district, which is a big strategic goal for years to come.”
Big Grove’s intent is to be a “draw to the area, a city stop for downtown shoppers and tourists,” Mr. Moore added. “We are honored to be a part of the Cedar Rapids community.”
