There is a certain kind of place that feels instantly like a neighborhood—not just a building in one, but an actual living, breathing expression of the people around it. Orts Brewing Company, tucked into Des Moines’ Drake neighborhood, is exactly that kind of place. The moment you walk through the door, something shifts. The noise of the city softens, the smell of grain and hops drifts through the air, and you realize you have found somewhere worth lingering.
Orts opened with a philosophy that is refreshingly straightforward: brew interesting beer, reduce waste, and serve a community that actually cares about both. The name itself is a clue—”orts” is an old English word for food scraps or leftovers, and the brewery leans into that concept with genuine conviction. Spent grain from the brewing process gets repurposed, ingredients are sourced thoughtfully, and the whole operation carries a low-key environmental ethic that never feels preachy. It is simply baked into the way they do things.
The beer lineup is where Orts really earns its reputation. You will find rotating seasonal taps alongside a handful of reliable house favorites, and the range spans from crushable lagers perfect for a warm Iowa afternoon to more adventurous farmhouse ales and sours that reward a slow sip and a second thought. The brewers here are clearly having fun—there is creativity on tap without the pretension that sometimes creeps into craft beer culture. Ask the bartender what is new, and you will get a real answer, not a rehearsed pitch.
The taproom itself is warm and unpretentious, with just enough character to feel considered without feeling curated for Instagram. Exposed brick, wood surfaces, good lighting. There is usually a food truck parked outside or nearby, rotating regularly, so you can pair your pint with something genuinely satisfying. A few tables spill outside when the weather cooperates, and in Des Moines, those windows of perfect patio weather are not to be wasted.
The Drake neighborhood adds another layer of appeal. It is a walkable stretch of 25th Street with independent shops, coffee spots, and restaurants that give the area a distinct identity within the city. Coming to Orts does not have to be a single-stop outing—arrive early, explore the block, then settle in for a flight or two as the evening finds its rhythm.
Whether you are a devoted craft beer enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates a well-made drink in a room full of people who seem genuinely glad to be there, Orts Brewing delivers something that is harder to manufacture than a good beer recipe: an authentic sense of place. Des Moines has no shortage of things to do, but Orts is the kind of discovery you end up telling people about on the way home.
