What Big Grove Brewery does

Big Grove Brewery is a privately held, founder-owned craft brewery and full-service restaurant operator founded in 2013 in Solon, Iowa. The company operates six owned taproom locations across three Midwestern states — four in Iowa (Solon, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines), one in Nebraska (Omaha), and one in Kansas (Prairie Village) — plus an adjunct Big Grove Coffee Shop in Omaha. Each taproom runs a full scratch kitchen, draft and packaged beer service, private event spaces (capacities of 80-120 guests), and retail takeaway. Production capacity of approximately 68,000 barrels is being expanded by more than 50% through an Iowa City production facility build-out.

The portfolio spans award-winning IPAs under the Eddy family (Easy Eddy, Wild Eddy, Royal Eddy, Triple Eddy, Dank Eddy, Mango Eddy, Zero Eddy N/A), the Citrus Surfer citrus wheat line, Neighborhood Beer American Lager (tied to a $1-per-case community micro-grant program), the TIGERHAWK collaboration with University of Iowa Athletics, seasonal and charity releases (Rainbow Connection, Equalitea Sour, Sweet Spot hard teas, Squeeze canned cocktails), and merchandise/apparel. Distribution runs through taprooms direct-to-consumer (primary), statewide Iowa retail linked to the TIGERHAWK partnership, online ordering via Thanx and Toast Tab, and private event bookings via TripleSeat. The wholly-owned Big Grove for Good Foundation channels grant funding to local nonprofits across Trees/Trails/Water, Equity & Equality, and Our Backyard initiatives.

The go-to-market is fundamentally hybrid: taproom-anchored DTC with high-margin on-premise revenue as the primary driver, complemented by a growing retail/wholesale arm (especially across Iowa), a private-events business built into every location, and an event-driven channel through the Hawkeye athletics partnership. Pricing is unit-based (draft pints $5-9, cocktails $10-14, variety packs $10-18) with location-specific happy hours. Customer segments span craft beer enthusiasts, Hawkeye sports fans, casual diners, corporate/social event planners, and a nonprofit/community relationship anchored in foundation giving.

Name

Big Grove Brewery

Legal name

Big Grove Brewery

Website

https://biggrove.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Big Grove Brewery is a privately held Midwestern craft brewery operating six owned taprooms with full kitchens across Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, plus an adjunct coffee shop, selling award-winning beers, beyond-beer beverages, and private event experiences directly to consumers and through Iowa retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Brewery & Taproom Hospitality

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (72241)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Taproom restaurants
• Craft brewery operations
• Private event venues
• Community giving programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Iowa City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Taproom Food & Beverage Sales: On-site sales of craft beer, cocktails, wine, and full food menu at all 6 taproom locations. Primary revenue driver.
2. Packaged Beer Retail: Canned and bottled beer sold for off-premise consumption at taprooms and through retail distribution.
3. Merchandise & Apparel: Branded merchandise including apparel, glassware, hats, and accessories sold through taprooms and online.
4. Private Events & Catering: Event bookings for corporate events, weddings, and social gatherings with dedicated spaces at all locations. Boxed lunch catering available.
5. Big Grove for Good Foundation Programs: Grant programs funded by beer sales ($1 per case from Neighborhood Beer) supporting community organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Big Grove Brewery operates a craft brewing and taproom hospitality business: it brews and sells a portfolio of craft beers (Eddy IPAs, Citrus Surfer wheat, Neighborhood Lager, TIGERHAWK, Rainbow Connection sour, Zero Eddy N/A), hard teas, and canned cocktails, distributed through 6 owned taprooms with full kitchens, packaged retail, online ordering, and statewide wholesale. It also books private events, runs an e-commerce merchandise store, and operates an adjunct coffee shop in Omaha.

Product overview

Big Grove Brewery is an Iowa-based craft brewery and restaurant company offering a portfolio of beer products and dining experiences across multiple taproom locations. The core product line includes the Eddy family of IPAs (Easy Eddy, Mango Eddy, Zero Eddy, Wild Eddy, Royal Eddy, Dank Eddy, Triple Eddy), the Citrus Surfer citrus wheat beer line, and seasonal specialty beers. The Beyond Beer program extends the portfolio with hard teas (Sweet Spot) and canned cocktails (Squeeze). The company operates six taproom locations across Iowa (Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Solon), Nebraska (Omaha), and Kansas (Prairie Village), plus an Omaha-based coffee shop. Community initiatives include the Big Grove for Good Foundation grant program funding local nonprofits. All products are distributed through taproom locations, online ordering via Toast Tab and Thanx platforms, and retail distribution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eddy Family: Line of IPA beers including Easy Eddy, Wild Eddy, Royal Eddy, Triple Eddy, Zero Eddy (non-alcoholic), Dank Eddy, and seasonal variants
• Citrus Surfer Family
• Neighborhood Beer
• TIGERHAWK
• Squeeze
• Sweet Spot
• Big Grove Coffee Shop
• Big Grove for Good Foundation
• Big Grove Rewards

Products and services

• Easy Eddy

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $36,000 awarded to 68 community grants through Neighborhood Beer program in first year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Iowa Athletics Department / Hawkeye Sports PropertiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Multi-year marketing partnership designating Big Grove as an Official Craft Brewery of University of Iowa Athletics. Created TIGERHAWK beer with proceeds supporting Hawkeye athletics programs. Beer available statewide and at Kinnick Stadium and Carver-Hawkeye Arena during games and matches.
• Patagonia ProvisionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership to introduce a lager brewed with organic Kernza grain, supporting sustainable agriculture initiatives.
• Cystic Fibrosis FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration on beers supporting cystic fibrosis research. Dry Hopped Gose at Omaha location: $1 from every pint sold supports the Foundation. Partnership inspired by hop compound linalool research.
• Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Annual partnership for Equalitea Sour Ale celebrating International Women's Day. Portion of proceeds benefit DVIP and RVAP (Rape Victim Advocacy Program) supporting safety, empowerment, dignity, and hope in the community.
• Table to TableminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2026 Big Grove for Good grant recipient. Bridges gap between abundance and hunger by collecting and redistributing surplus food through partners to people who need it.
• TRAIL of Johnson CountyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2026 Big Grove for Good grant recipient. Volunteer-powered organization helping older adults live and age with support, safety, and connection through tools and resources for active independent living.
• Youth Emergency Services (YES)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner2026 Big Grove for Good grant recipient. Only organization in Omaha with sole mission of helping homeless and at-risk youth, providing resources and support for self-sufficiency.
• PatagoniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-branded merchandise collaboration featuring Patagonia Full Zip Micro Fleece Jacket and Patagonia Flannel sold at Big Grove taprooms and online.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. Decorah, Iowa-based craft brewer most often cited as Big Grove's closest Iowa competitor. Both are award-winning Midwest craft breweries producing IPAs and sours with brewery taprooms and statewide distribution overlap with Big Grove.
• Boulevard Brewing Company: Kansas City-based craft brewer (Duvel Moortgat-owned) operating a flagship taproom and broad Midwest distribution. Highly comparable craft-brewery-plus-taproom model with strong regional brand affinity overlapping Big Grove's Iowa/Nebraska/Kansas footprint.
• Odell Brewing Co. Independently owned Colorado craft brewery with a strong taproom/brewpub model and acclaimed IPA portfolio. Operating philosophy, family ownership, and emphasis on flagship IPAs closely parallel Big Grove's positioning.
• Sun King Brewing Company: Indiana-based craft brewery operating multiple taproom locations with full food service across Indianapolis. Strong Midwest craft taproom model with similar regional ambitions and awards-driven brand.
• Three Floyds Brewing: Munster, Indiana craft brewery famous for its IPAs and cult brand loyalty, operating a brewpub. Comparable craft-IPA-driven, awards-led strategy with regional Midwest customer base overlapping Big Grove's.
• Half Acre Beer Company: Chicago craft brewery with a taproom/brewpub model and strong neighborhood identity. Comparable Midwest craft scale, multi-taproom footprint, and packaged-beer distribution to local grocery.
• Revolution Brewing: Chicago's largest independently owned craft brewery operating multiple brewpub locations with full kitchens. Most directly comparable Midwest craft brewpub chain on operational/real-estate profile.
• Peace Tree Brewing Co. Iowa-based craft brewery (Knoxville, Iowa) with a tasting room and statewide distribution. Smaller scale but directly comparable Iowa craft brewer competing in the same on-premise and retail channels as Big Grove.

Broad incumbents

• New Belgium Brewing Company: Fort Collins, Colorado craft pioneer (now Kirin-owned) with a flagship visitor-taproom concept and wide Midwest grocery distribution. Larger scale but directly comparable brewpub-to-retail go-to-market motion.
• Lagunitas Brewing Company: Heineken-owned Petaluma craft brewery with taprooms and IPA-led portfolio and broad national distribution. Larger scale, but comparable craft-taproom-plus-distribution strategy and Eddy line competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEcnOx-7ftxUuiozH5-q7zA
• Facebookfacebook.com/biggrovebrewery
• Instagraminstagram.com/biggrovebrewery
• TikToktiktok.com/@biggrovebrewery
• Xx.com/biggrovebrewery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biggrove

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big Grove Brewery