Backpocket Brewing
Backpocket Brewing is an Iowa craft brewery producing core, seasonal, Iowa State University licensed, and Raygun-collaborative beers, sold through three Iowa taprooms and Midwest wholesale distribution, with production capacity expanding to 12,000-14,000 barrels after its 2026 WonderBread consolidation with SingleSpeed and PeaceTree Brewing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersCoralville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Backpocket Brewing does
Backpocket Brewing is a privately held Iowa craft brewery that produces and sells beer through both direct-to-consumer taprooms and wholesale retail distribution across the Midwest. Founded in 2008 as Old Man River Restaurant and Brewery in McGregor, Iowa, the company relocated to Coralville in 2012 and rebranded as Backpocket Brewing, expanding from a 7-barrel brew house to a 30-barrel production facility. Its beer portfolio is organized into four lines: year-round core beers (including Bubba Hazy IPA, Slingshot Dark Lager, Tipsy in Tijuana, and Tipsy After Dark), seasonal releases (Lemon-Made Shandy, Pumpkin Spiced Ale, Pretzel Stout, Hawktoberfest, Winter Lager), officially licensed Iowa State University Cyclones beers (Forever True, Cyclone Power, Hilton Magic), and the Raygun Cat Series of limited experimental sours and hazy IPAs co-developed with regional retailer Raygun since 2017. A 2023 World Beer Cup gold medal (Pumpkin Beer category for Pumpkin Spiced Ale) anchors its quality credentials.
The company operates three taproom locations in Iowa: the Waterloo Brewery & Taproom at the historic Wonder Bread building (production brewery and taproom), the Dubuque Pin & Pixel taproom in the Millworks District, and the Johnston Pin & Pixel taproom featuring arcade games and duckpin bowling. Distribution extends across Midwestern retail shelves through wholesale partnerships, supplemented by an online merchandise storefront. Revenue is generated through one-time beer sales (taproom and wholesale), taproom transaction revenue (on-site consumption, food service, entertainment), and merchandise sales. In November 2024 Backpocket acquired PeaceTree Brewing, and effective January 1, 2026 the company consolidated operations with SingleSpeed Brewing under The Brewery @ WonderBread brand in Waterloo, expanding production capacity from 5,500 to 12,000-14,000 barrels annually with municipal grant support of $750,000 and an additional 15 jobs in the Cedar Valley area.
Backpocket Brewing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Backpocket Brewing
- Legal name
- Backpocket Brewing
- Website
- https://backpocketbrewing.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Backpocket Brewing is an Iowa craft brewery producing core, seasonal, Iowa State University licensed, and Raygun-collaborative beers, sold through three Iowa taprooms and Midwest wholesale distribution, with production capacity expanding to 12,000-14,000 barrels after its 2026 WonderBread consolidation with SingleSpeed and PeaceTree Brewing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Backpocket Brewing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Beer Brewing
- NAICS
- Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Taprooms & Brewpubs (CRANACAF), Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG)
Keywords
Where Backpocket Brewing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Coralville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Backpocket Brewing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
Revenue model
- Beer Sales: Sale of craft beer through taproom direct sales and distribution to retail stores across the Midwest region.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of brewery merchandise including apparel, glassware, and accessories through online storefront.
- Taproom Revenue: On-site beer sales, food service, and entertainment at taproom locations including Pin & Pixel entertainment venues.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Backpocket Brewing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Backpocket Brewing is an Iowa craft brewery that produces and sells craft beer through four main product lines (Core Beers, Seasonal Beers, Iowa State University licensed beers, and the Raygun Series). The company operates taproom locations across Iowa and distributes canned and bottled beer through wholesale partners across the Midwest, supplemented by branded merchandise sales.
Product overview
Backpocket Brewing is an Iowa craft brewery offering a portfolio of beer products organized into four main lines: Core Beers (year-round offerings including Hazy IPA, Lagers, and Mexican Style Lagers), Seasonal Beers (limited-time releases like Shandy, Pumpkin Ale, Stout, and seasonal Lagers), Iowa State University Beers (officially licensed Blonde Ales for Cyclones fans), and Raygun Series (collaborative cat-themed sour beers). The company operates three taproom locations (Waterloo production brewery, Dubuque Pin & Pixel arcade taproom, Johnston Pin & Pixel with bowling), an online merchandise store, and as of 2026 has consolidated with SingleSpeed Brewing and PeaceTree Brewing under The Brewery @ WonderBread brand.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pin & Pixel: Entertainment concept featuring arcade games and duckpin bowling lanes at taproom locations
- Raygun Series
- The Brewery @ WonderBread
Products and services
- Core Beers Year-round core beer lineup including Bubba (Hazy IPA), Gold Coin (Blonde Lager), Slingshot (Dark Lager), Tipsy After Dark (Dark Mexican Style Lager), and Tipsy in Tijuana (Mexican Style Lager) targeted at everyday craft beer consumers.
- Seasonal Beers Limited-time seasonal releases including Lemon-Made Shandy (Shandy, Feb-Aug), Pumpkin Spiced Ale (Aug-Nov), Pretzel Stout (Sept-Nov), Hawktoberfest (Fall), and Winter Lager (Oct-Feb) targeted at craft beer enthusiasts seeking variety.
- Iowa State University Beers Officially licensed craft beer series for Iowa State Cyclones fans including Forever True (Blonde Ale), Cyclone Power (limited edition Blonde Ale), and Hilton Magic (limited edition Blonde Ale) targeted at Iowa State University fans and alumni.
- Raygun Series Collaborative cat-themed beer series with Raygun featuring quarterly limited-quantity releases including Strawberry Shortcat (Dessert Sour) and Tiki Sour Cat (Tropical Sour), available on tap and in cans, targeted at experimental beer drinkers.
- Waterloo Brewery & Taproom Main production brewery and taproom located at 325 Commercial Street in the historic Wonder Bread building in downtown Waterloo, Iowa. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-8pm. Open to consumers for on-site beer consumption, food service, and merchandise purchases.
- Dubuque Backpocket Pin & Pixel Satellite taproom in the historic Millworks District in Dubuque, Iowa featuring 16 rotating handles of craft beer and vintage arcade games. No kitchen on site. Targeted at craft beer consumers seeking entertainment alongside their beer.
- Johnston Backpocket Pin & Pixel
Companies that use Backpocket Brewing
Customer profileSegments3 records
Backpocket Brewing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Backpocket Brewing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SingleSpeed BrewingcoreCombined operations with SingleSpeed Brewing and PeaceTree Brewing under The Brewery @ WonderBread brand in Waterloo, Iowa. Effective January 1, 2026, creating one of the largest craft brewery operations in Iowa with expanded production capacity from 5,500 to 12,000-14,000 barrels annually.
- PeaceTree BrewingcoreAcquired by Backpocket Brewing in November 2024 and consolidated with SingleSpeed Brewing operations at The Brewery @ WonderBread in Waterloo, Iowa. Part of major consolidation effort to expand brewing capabilities.
- RayguncoreCollaborative Raygun Cat Series launched in 2017 featuring cat-themed beers with creative designs from Raygun. Series includes full-flavored experimental beers like sours and hazy IPAs, released quarterly in limited quantities.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Backpocket Brewing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Bell's Brewery: Michigan-based craft incumbent (now part of Lion) with broad Midwest retail distribution. Comparable as a larger craft competitor in Backpocket's core wholesale geography.
- New Belgium Brewing: National craft brewery owned by Kirin. Competes with Backpocket on Midwest retail shelves and in taproom-style brand experiences, but at much larger scale and as a broad portfolio incumbent.
Direct peers
- PeaceTree Brewing: Iowa craft brewery acquired by Backpocket in November 2024 and now co-located at The Brewery @ WonderBread. Comparable in scale, Iowa footprint, and taproom-plus-distribution model.
- Exile Brewing: Des Moines, Iowa craft brewery operating a downtown brewery and taproom plus regional distribution. Comparable scale and on-premise + wholesale GTM motion.
- SingleSpeed Brewing: Waterloo, Iowa craft brewery that is one of Backpocket's two co-consolidation partners under The Brewery @ WonderBread. Operates a similar scale of taproom and Midwest distribution, making it the closest direct comparable.
- Toppling Goliath Brewing: Decorah, Iowa craft brewery widely regarded as one of the state's largest and most award-winning producers. Direct Iowa regional peer with similar emphasis on quality, taprooms, and national craft recognition.
- Confluence Brewing: Des Moines-based craft brewery with taproom and Iowa/Midwest distribution. Comparable in size, regional distribution model, and taproom-led brand-building approach.
- Big Grove Brewery: Iowa City-based craft brewery with multiple Iowa taprooms and statewide distribution. Highly comparable on multi-location taproom strategy and Midwest retail presence.
- Millstream Brewing: Amana, Iowa craft brewery—one of Iowa's oldest craft operations—with taproom and regional distribution. Closely comparable legacy craft producer in the same state.
Regional players
- Boiler Brewing Company: Lincoln, Nebraska craft brewery with taproom and regional distribution. Comparable in size and model, serving an adjacent Midwest geography rather than Iowa directly.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Backpocket Brewing social profiles
Digital presenceBackpocket Brewing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Backpocket Brewing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Backpocket Brewing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Backpocket Brewing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Backpocket Brewing
What does Backpocket Brewing do?
Backpocket Brewing is an Iowa craft brewery that produces and sells craft beer through four main product lines (Core Beers, Seasonal Beers, Iowa State University licensed beers, and the Raygun Series). The company operates taproom locations across Iowa and distributes canned and bottled beer through wholesale partners across the Midwest, supplemented by branded merchandise sales.
Is Backpocket Brewing a public or private company?
Backpocket Brewing is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Backpocket Brewing founded?
Backpocket Brewing was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Backpocket Brewing based?
Backpocket Brewing is headquartered in Coralville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Backpocket Brewing make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Beer Sales are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales and taproom Revenue.
Who are Backpocket Brewing's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Bell's Brewery and New Belgium Brewing. Direct peers are PeaceTree Brewing, Exile Brewing, SingleSpeed Brewing, Toppling Goliath Brewing, Confluence Brewing, Big Grove Brewery and Millstream Brewing. Boiler Brewing Company is listed as a regional player.
Does Backpocket Brewing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Backpocket Brewing.
What industry is Backpocket Brewing in?
Backpocket Brewing's product category is Craft Beer Brewing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFALAA, Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service), with a secondary code of CRANACAF, Taprooms & Brewpubs. Its NAICS code is 31212 and its SIC code is 2082.