CONFLUENCE BREWING COMPANY

What CONFLUENCE BREWING COMPANY does

Confluence Brewing Company is a privately held craft brewery founded in 2012 by John Martin, with initial investment from Greg Schultz, operating from a single production and taproom facility at 1235 Thomas Beck Road in Des Moines, Iowa, adjacent to the Gray's Lake bike trail and park. The company produces a rotating portfolio of award-winning craft beers across styles including IPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, and pilsners, structured around a Beer-A-Week program that releases new SKUs every week alongside returning favorites such as Over the Ivy Czech-Style Pilsner, Des Moines IPA, Old Tavern Lager, and Gray's Lake Nessie. Production capacity places the brewery in the 5,001-15,000 barrel mid-size craft category per its 2025 US Open Beer Championship recognition, and the brewery has accumulated 30+ awards across the US Open Beer Championship, World Beer Cup, Great American Beer Festival, and Can Can Awards.

The business operates a vertically integrated model spanning production, direct-to-consumer taproom sales, and wholesale distribution. The taproom offers indoor and outdoor seating, a dog-friendly beer garden, and a reservable private event space for up to 100 people, supported by a regular programming calendar including trivia nights, a summer concert series, food truck partnerships, and signature events such as the Labor Day Weekend Patio Fest and Reggie's Peach Fest. Distribution is conducted in-house through Confluence Distro, which delivers Confluence products alongside other Iowa craft breweries across the state, performing shelf restocking, draft line maintenance, and account servicing via a dedicated sales team and delivery fleet. Package formats include 4-packs and 500ml bottles for off-premise retail, supplemented by online ordering through Arryved and a TapWyse mobile app. Sub-brands 13 Degrees (Dark Lager, 2025 US Open Gold) and Old Tavern (Premium Light Lager with its own website) extend the commercial footprint beyond the core Confluence label.

Revenue is generated across three primary streams: on-premise taproom sales (highest margin, direct-to-consumer), wholesale package and draft distribution to Iowa retailers through self-distribution, and ancillary streams including brewery tours, private event hosting, and merchandise. The company serves a horizontally-segmented customer base including local Des Moines craft beer enthusiasts and community visitors, Iowa statewide retail consumers purchasing packaged beer, and event organizers/wholesale hospitality buyers. Leadership is concentrated around founder John Martin (President and Head Brewer) with a stable team of brewers, cellar staff, sales representatives, merchandisers, distribution drivers, and taproom staff totaling approximately 42 people. The company has no disclosed external institutional investment and operates as a privately held, founder-led Iowa craft brewery.

Name

CONFLUENCE BREWING COMPANY

Legal name

Confluence Brewing Company

Website

https://confluencebrewing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Confluence Brewing Company is a Des Moines, Iowa craft brewery founded in 2012, producing award-winning beers across multiple styles through a weekly release program. It operates a taproom with events and food trucks, self-distributes across Iowa, and serves local craft beer enthusiasts and statewide retail consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAFALAA

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service)

Travel & Hospitality/Foodservice & Beverage (Restaurants, Cafes, Bars)/Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries (Taprooms/Tasting Rooms)

SECONDARYCRANACAF

Taprooms & Brewpubs

Consumer Products & Retail/Tobacco, Alcohol & Cannabis Retail/On-Premise Alcohol Retail (Bars, Pubs & Taprooms)

SECONDARYCRANAAAC

Craft Beer Retail & Bottle Shops (Off-Premise)

Consumer Products & Retail/Tobacco, Alcohol & Cannabis Retail/Alcohol Retail (Liquor Stores & Off-Premise)

SECONDARYTHAFALAB

Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service)

Travel & Hospitality/Foodservice & Beverage (Restaurants, Cafes, Bars)/Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries (Taprooms/Tasting Rooms)

SECONDARYTHAJAGAE

Beer, Brewery & Craft Beverage Tastings

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Food & Drink Experiences (Culinary Tours, Tastings, Cooking Classes)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Brewery taproom
• Craft beer distribution
• Brewery tours
• Private event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Des Moines, Iowa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Taproom Sales: Direct sales of beers consumed on-premises in the taproom setting with indoor/outdoor seating, providing highest margin revenue and customer experience
2. Package Sales: 4-packs, bottles, and 500ml bottles for off-premises consumption distributed across Iowa retail locations
3. Distribution: Self-distribution model delivering their own beers and other Iowa craft breweries' products to retailers across Iowa

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Confluence Brewing Company is a craft brewery that produces a rotating portfolio of award-winning beers across styles including IPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, and pilsners, releasing at least one new beer every week through its Beer-A-Week initiative. The company sells its beers directly to consumers at its Des Moines taproom, through package sales (4-packs and bottles) at Iowa retailers, and operates its own self-distribution arm that delivers beer statewide across Iowa, including distributing other Iowa craft breweries' products.

Product overview

Confluence Brewing Company operates as a craft brewery with a diversified product portfolio centered on its core beer offerings and experiential taproom services. The company's primary products include award-winning craft beers across styles (IPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, pilsners) released through its Beer-A-Week initiative, complemented by taproom experiences featuring food trucks, live music, trivia, and event hosting. Additional revenue streams include brewery tours, merchandise, and distribution across Iowa through Confluence Distro. The brewery was founded in 2012 by John Martin and operates from its Des Moines location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 13 Degrees: Dark Lager brand under Confluence Brewing Company, won GOLD at US Open Beer Championship 2025.
• Old Tavern

Products and services

• Confluence Brewing Core Beer Portfolio Award-winning craft beers across styles including IPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, and seasonal releases, with flagship offerings such as Over the Ivy Czech-Style Pilsner, Des Moines IPA, Old Tavern Lager, and Gray's Lake Nessie, plus new beers released weekly through the Beer-A-Week program. Sold for on-premise consumption at the taproom and in 4-packs, 500ml bottles, and growlers for off-premise consumption at Iowa retailers.
• Taproom Experience On-site taproom at 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, offering indoor and outdoor seating, flexible event spaces, views of brewing equipment, and a dog-friendly beer garden. Hosts trivia nights, live music, food truck partnerships, and other recurring events to drive consumer traffic.
• Brewery Tours Guided tours of the brewing facility at 1235 Thomas Beck Rd for visitors and craft beer enthusiasts, booked through the company's website.
• Event Hosting & Private Events Private event hosting with a reservable area in the taproom accommodating up to 100 people, suitable for parties, fundraisers, and corporate events, with on-site food and beer.
• Distribution & Wholesale (Confluence Distro) Sales and distribution of beer across Iowa through the company's distribution arm, Confluence Distro, with a self-distribution model delivering to retailers and providing draft line maintenance and shelf restocking; also distributes other Iowa craft breweries' products.
• Merchandise & To-Go Beer On-site merchandise and take-home beer options sold at the taproom and online through the Arryved commerce platform, including 4-packs, 500ml bottles, and growlers, plus branded merchandise.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ award recognitions including 2025 Brewery of the Year

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lua BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration brewing partner for Lager Life German-Style Festbier, where Lua helped brew a companion to Confluence's Marzen for Oktoberfest celebration. Both breweries share a passion for lager brewing.
• Coaches vs. CancerminorOthersCharitable partnership where Jay Chapman won opportunity to choose beer style and direct recipe/label design for Juicy Wiggle IPA. Proceeds from charity auction supported cancer research.
• Peggy O's Food TruckminorOthersRegular Friday food truck vendor at Confluence taproom from 5pm-9pm during summer concert series.
• Los Compadres Flaming TacosminorOthersRegular Wednesday and Thursday food truck vendor at Confluence taproom providing food options for customers.
• BentoBoxcoreTechnology or IntegrationWebsite platform provider powering Confluence Brewing's website with CMS, online ordering (via Arryved), reservation management, and email marketing capabilities.
• Iowa Craft BreweriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConfluence distributes other Iowa craft breweries' products alongside their own through their self-distribution model, expanding their portfolio and supporting the Iowa craft beer community.
• Gray's LakeminorOthersAdjacent recreational area with bike trail access, dog park, and scenic views providing customer foot traffic and lifestyle positioning for the taproom.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Toppling Goliath Brewing Company: Iowa craft brewery renowned for highly rated IPAs and barrel-aged stouts. Comparable as a similarly situated Iowa craft producer with strong awards, self-distribution roots, and a destination taproom experience.
• Boone River Brewing Company: Iowa craft brewery with taproom and regional distribution. Comparable as a small Iowa producer competing for similar retail and consumer mindshare in non-Des Moines Iowa markets.

Broad incumbents

• Bell's Brewery: Established Midwest craft brewer (Two Hearted, Oberon). Comparable as a larger craft incumbent with multi-state distribution and a destination brewery/taproom (Comstock/Kalamazoo), operating in adjacent Midwest geography.
• Surly Brewing Company: Minnesota craft brewery with destination taproom (Surly Beer Hall) and Midwest-wide distribution. Closely mirrors Confluence's brewpub-plus-distribution model at a larger scale within the same upper Midwest region.
• New Belgium Brewing Company: National craft brewery owned by Kirin with Fat Tire and Voodoo Ranger. Comparable as a broad-incumbent craft player whose products compete with Confluence on retail shelves and taproom-style experiences (Liquid Center).

Direct peers

• Exile Brewing Company: Des Moines-based craft brewery operating a production brewery and taproom with distribution across Iowa. Directly competes with Confluence in the same metro on taproom traffic, on-premise sales, and Iowa retail shelf space.
• Madhouse Brewing Company: Des Moines metro craft brewery with taproom experience and packaged distribution. Same geography, similar product positioning across hop-forward and lager styles.
• Lua Brewing: Des Moines craft brewery and direct collaboration partner of Confluence (Lager Life Festbier co-brew). Same local market, similar scale, and confirmed peer-level operational overlap.
• 515 Brewing Company: Woodward/Des Moines-area craft brewery with a taproom and Iowa distribution. Same Des Moines metro geography, similar size tier, overlapping on-premise and retail customers.
• Peace Tree Brewing Company: Iowa craft brewery with multiple taprooms and Iowa-wide distribution. Comparable as a similarly sized Iowa craft producer focused on community taproom experience and packaged retail sales.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ConfluenceBrew
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQwhrqIwSFgkKRoV6spjSjA
• Facebookfacebook.com/confluencebrewingcompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/confluencebrew
• TikToktiktok.com/@confluencebrew
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/confluence-brewing-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about CONFLUENCE BREWING COMPANY