Lua Brewing
Lua Brewing operates a single craft brewery and full-service restaurant in Des Moines's Sherman Hill neighborhood, serving on-site draft beer, signature Smush Burgers, cocktails, and weekend brunch, plus to-go beer via ToastTab.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersDes Moines, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lua Brewing does
Lua Brewing operates a single craft brewery and full-service restaurant at 1525 High Street in Des Moines, Iowa's historic Sherman Hill neighborhood. Founded in November 2019 by Whitney Selix (President), Scott Selix, Zack Dunbar, and Executive Chef James Arbaugh, the company serves local Des Moines residents and visitors with on-site draft craft beer, signature food items, a full bar program, and weekend brunch. Its taproom features approximately 20+ rotating taps spanning German and Bavarian styles (Gil's Pils Pilsner, Loud As Hope Hefeweizen), hazy IPAs (Sun for Miles), the SONDER series of Berliner Weisse sours, stouts, and seasonal or collaboration releases.
The company's core production technology is craft beer brewing with an emphasis on German and Bavarian styles, including a side-pull faucet slow-pour technique for Continental beers that requires 7-8 minutes per proper pour. The product portfolio extends beyond beer to a full cocktail, wine, and spirits program, a signature food line built around double-smash Smush Burgers ($17.50-$18.50), a caviar offering (Caviar Cutie, up to $90 per ounce) described as house-harvested, and specialty dietary menus covering gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options. Packaged beer is sold to-go in 16oz cans and 500ml bottles through the ToastTab platform, alongside food pickup and digital gift cards.
Lua Brewing operates a direct-to-consumer model with all revenue derived from on-premise sales, to-go packaged beer, gift cards, and private event rentals (Harvest Table seating up to 16, plus full-venue rental via an inquiry form). Pricing spans $2-$9 for draft beer, $8-$25 for most food items, $10-$12 for house cocktails, and $22 for the bottomless brunch bar. The company is founder-owned, private, has no disclosed institutional capital, and runs on standard hospitality technology (ToastTab for to-go ordering, SpotApps for reservations and event booking, Google Maps for directions). Voted USA Today's #1 Brewpub in the United States for 2025 and recognized among the Top 50 breweries in the world within its first 18 months of operation.
Lua Brewing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lua Brewing
- Legal name
- Lua Brewing
- Website
- https://luabeer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Lua Brewing operates a single craft brewery and full-service restaurant in Des Moines's Sherman Hill neighborhood, serving on-site draft beer, signature Smush Burgers, cocktails, and weekend brunch, plus to-go beer via ToastTab.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lua Brewing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Brewpub
- NAICS
- Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Full-Service Restaurants (722511)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Microbreweries & Craft Breweries (THAFALAC), Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Taprooms & Brewpubs (CRANACAF)
Keywords
Where Lua Brewing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Des Moines
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lua Brewing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Taproom Beer Sales: On-site draft beer sales with wide variety including flagship IPAs, sours, stouts, German-style beers, and rotating seasonal offerings. Beer served in multiple pour sizes (5oz, 10oz, 13.5oz, 16oz, 16.9oz) with mug options.
- Food Sales: Full food service including sharable plates, sandwiches (smush burgers, philly cheesesteaks, wraps), bowls, salads, brunch menu, and desserts. All sandwiches served with French fries. Kid's menu available.
- To-Go Beer: Canned and bottled beer for off-site consumption. 16oz cans and 500ml/375ml bottles available. No on-site consumption for to-go beer orders.
- Private Events: Harvest Table seating up to 16 available to rent for larger parties. Full space rental available for private events via inquiry form.
- Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold through ToastTab platform
- Spirits and Cocktails: Full bar service including cocktails (Old Fashioned, Mule, Gimlet, Daiquiri, Margarita, Siesta), whiskey, gin, tequila, mezcal, rum, brandy, vodka, and digestifs
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Draft Beer Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Food Menu Pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cocktails and Spirits |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Lua Brewing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lua Brewing operates a craft brewery and full-service brewpub restaurant in Des Moines, Iowa, producing and serving its own craft beer in German and Bavarian styles (Pilsner, Hefeweizen, Berliner Weisse, Kellerbier, Dunkel) alongside a full food menu featuring signature Smush Burgers and house-harvested caviar. The business is built around on-site taproom consumption, with supplementary to-go packaged beer sales, weekend brunch service, gift cards, and private event rentals (Harvest Table).
Product overview
Lua Brewing is a craft brewery and full-service restaurant located in Des Moines, Iowa's historic Sherman Hill neighborhood. The company operates as a single taproom venue offering an integrated experience of craft beer production and upscale pub fare. Its core product portfolio centers on on-tap and packaged craft beer, including flagship beers like GIL's Pils (German Pilsner), SUN FOR MILES (Hazy IPA), and the SONDER Series of Berliner Weisse sours, alongside a full bar program of cocktails, wine, and spirits. Food offerings feature signature Smush Burgers (double-smash patty format) and the upscale CAVIAR CUTIE appetizer. The company differentiates through specialty dietary menus (gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free) and weekend brunch service. Additional revenue streams include online ordering via Toast Tab, gift cards, and private event rental through the Harvest Table seating up to 16 guests. Voted USA Today's #1 Brewpub in the United States for 2025.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- On-Tap Craft Beer Self-brewed craft beer served on draft in multiple pour sizes (5oz, 10oz, 13.5oz, 16oz, 16.9oz) for on-site consumption. Flagship offerings include GIL's Pils, SUN FOR MILES Hazy IPA, LOUD AS HOPE Hefeweizen, with rotating sours, stouts, and specialty IPAs. Targeted at craft beer enthusiasts visiting the taproom.
- To-Go Packaged Beer Packaged craft beer for off-premise consumption in 16oz cans, 4-packs, 500ml, and 375ml bottles. Includes MORNING LIGHT (French Spelt Table Kellerbier), CROW WING (American Light Lager), SUN FOR MILES Hazy IPA, TULPA (West Coast Pilsner), and specialty releases like FIRE STARTER Red IPA and SAY YES Fruited Sour.
- SONDER Series Berliner Weisse Rustic Berliner Weisse line of sour beers, including SONDER No. 5 (dry-hopped with New Zealand Motueka hops at 3.7%) and SONDER No. 6 (3.6%). Available in 500ml bottles with collaboration formats produced with Spartisan Ales.
- Craft Cocktails House cocktails (Old Fashioned $12, Mule $11, Gimlet $10, Daiquiri $10, Margarita $12, Siesta $8-$12) and premium cocktails made with spirits including Tito's vodka, Corazon Blanco tequila, and various whiskeys. Targeted at on-premise customers seeking mixed drinks.
- Wine and Spirits Curated selection of wines (Zillamina 2022 from Spain, Jean-Paul Brun Beaujolais, Pinia 2023 Rose) priced $9.75-$41.00 and spirits (whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, vodka, digestifs) priced $7-$8. Targeted at on-premise customers.
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages Non-alcoholic options including Millstream Root Beer, Pepsi products, Apple Juice, Kismet Kombucha (rotating flavors), San Pellegrino, and Untitled Art N/A beers (Hazy N/A IPA, Mango Dragonfruit N/A Sour, N/A Italian Pilsner). For designated drivers, families, and non-drinking guests.
- Food Menu Full food menu featuring signature Smush Burgers (double-smash patty format with house-ground beef or Impossible plant-based, $17.50-$18.50), the upscale CAVIAR CUTIE appetizer (potato en croute with crème fraîche and house-harvested caviar, $25-$90), sharable plates, sandwiches, bowls, salads, and desserts. Includes gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options. Targeted at on-premise diners.
- Weekend Brunch Service Weekend brunch service available Saturday and Sunday from 10AM-2PM. Features include BOTTOMLESS brunch bar ($22), BISCUITS & GRAVY ($14), BREAKFAST BURRITO ($13), LUA OMELETTE ($15), and TRES LECHES WAFFLE ($14). Targeted at weekend diners seeking breakfast/brunch offerings.
- Harvest Table Private Events Private event space at the brewpub featuring the Harvest Table (seats up to 16 guests) and full venue rental options for private parties, celebrations, and corporate gatherings. Booked via inquiry form through the Parties page. Targeted at event hosts, corporate groups, and celebration organizers.
- Gift Cards Digital and physical gift cards sold through the ToastTab platform, redeemable for food, drinks, and merchandise at the Lua Brewing taproom. Targeted at gift purchasers and regular customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Earned top 50 breweries in the world status within first 18 months of operation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Lua Brewing
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Lua Brewing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature3 records
Lua Brewing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Little LagerminorCollaboration on BALISONG beer - New Zealand-style Cold IPA with Nelson Sauvin hops (7.5%). Little Lager is based in St. Louis, MO.
- Toppling GoliathminorCollaboration on PROJECT HOPFISCH Volume VII - Hazy Double IPA with Amarillo, Anchovy, & Mosaic hops (8.3%). Toppling Goliath is based in Decorah, IA.
- Spartisan AlesminorCollaboration on SONDER No. 5 - Rustic Berliner Weisse dry-hopped with New Zealand Motueka hops (3.7%). Spartisan Ales is based in Atlanta, GA.
- Loyal Sons Barber ShopminorCollaboration on FINEST Premium Iowa Corn Lager (4.0%) - a premium corn lager.
- Lachele's Fine FoodsminorCollaboration on FINEST and LIMEST Premium Iowa Corn Lager - a premium corn lager and lime variant.
- MARTOminorCollaboration on FIRE STARTER - Red IPA with Mosaic, Chinook, Simcoe, New Zealand Cascade, & Columbus Cryo hops (7.5%). MARTO is based in Sioux City, IA.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lua Brewing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Major national craft brewery with taproom restaurants in Chico, CA and Mills River, NC. Comparable as a large craft brewery with integrated brewpub dining and to-go packaging.
- Stone Brewing: Large California craft brewery with destination taproom restaurants. Comparable as a craft brewery with premium brewpub dining experience, though at much larger scale.
- Bell's Brewery: Established Michigan craft brewery with the Eccentric Café, a brewpub-style dining concept. Comparable as a craft brewery with integrated food service that has scaled beyond a single taproom.
- Surly Brewing Co. Larger Minnesota craft brewery (Minneapolis) operating a destination taproom with full kitchen. Broader incumbent demonstrating the scaled Midwest brewpub model that Lua could grow toward.
Direct peers
- Confluence Brewing Company: Des Moines-based craft brewery with taproom and food service. Closest geographic direct competitor, both operating brewpubs targeting the same local Des Moines customer base.
- Forager Brewing Company: Rochester, MN craft brewery and restaurant where Lua co-founder Zack Dunbar was previously lead brewer. Strong comparable as a Midwest craft brewery with integrated food service and similar style portfolio.
- Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. Iowa-based craft brewery (Decorah, IA) known for high-end IPAs and barrel-aged stouts. Direct comparable as an Iowa craft brewery with taproom service and a Lua collaboration partner (Project Hopfisch Vol. VII Hazy DIPA).
- Exile Brewing Co. Des Moines craft brewery with full kitchen, restaurant, and event space. Direct local competitor operating a brewpub model very similar to Lua in the same metro.
- Peace Tree Brewing Co. Iowa craft brewery (Knoxville/Des Moines) with taproom presence. Comparable Iowa-based craft brewery competing for the same regional craft beer customer.
- SingleSpeed Brewing Co. Iowa craft brewery with taprooms in Cedar Falls/Waterloo and Des Moines. Comparable Midwest craft brewery with brewpub-style food service.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lua Brewing social profiles
Digital presenceLua Brewing compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Lua Brewing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lua Brewing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Lua Brewing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lua Brewing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lua Brewing
What does Lua Brewing do?
Lua Brewing operates a craft brewery and full-service brewpub restaurant in Des Moines, Iowa, producing and serving its own craft beer in German and Bavarian styles (Pilsner, Hefeweizen, Berliner Weisse, Kellerbier, Dunkel) alongside a full food menu featuring signature Smush Burgers and house-harvested caviar. The business is built around on-site taproom consumption, with supplementary to-go packaged beer sales, weekend brunch service, gift cards, and private event rentals (Harvest Table).
Is Lua Brewing a public or private company?
Lua Brewing is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Lua Brewing founded?
Lua Brewing was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Lua Brewing based?
Lua Brewing is headquartered in Des Moines, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lua Brewing make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Taproom Beer Sales are the primary driver. The others are food Sales, to-Go Beer, private Events, gift Cards and spirits and Cocktails.
Who are Lua Brewing's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Stone Brewing, Bell's Brewery and Surly Brewing Co.. Direct peers are Confluence Brewing Company, Forager Brewing Company, Toppling Goliath Brewing Co., Exile Brewing Co., Peace Tree Brewing Co. and SingleSpeed Brewing Co..
Does Lua Brewing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lua Brewing.
What industry is Lua Brewing in?
Lua Brewing's product category is Brewpub. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFALAA, Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service), with a secondary code of THAFALAC, Microbreweries & Craft Breweries. Its NAICS code is 31212 and its SIC code is 2082.