SingleSpeed Brewing (Waterloo, Iowa) – Stout in a Bread Factory
Beer
2026.01.23
This article can be read in about 12 minutes.
Hi there! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast.
I visited SingleSpeed Brewing Co. in Waterloo (Wotaruu), Iowa! This brewery is housed in a massive building that was once a Wonder Bread factory, renovated with the kind of scale you’d expect from America’s Midwest.
📅 Based on a visit in January 2026, published February 2026
りほくん
SingleSpeed Brewing in Iowa – just hearing “a brewery converted from a bread factory” gets you excited, right? Midwest craft beer travel isn’t just about DDH IPAs – unique breweries like this are equally compelling.
The taproom, utilizing the vast space of the former bread factory, is impressively scaled. High ceilings and industrial decor create an authentic brewery atmosphere. With pool tables and game areas, it’s family-friendly too. One of Iowa’s largest breweries, beloved by local sports fans.
ルネちゃん
Woof! (The high ceilings of this former bread factory… there’s so much room to run around! Pool tables too? How fun!)
🍺 Beer Experience: Stout
A rich stout with coffee and chocolate flavors from roasted malt. A satisfying pint perfect for Iowa’s cold seasons. Characterized by a creamy mouthfeel and long finish.
🍺 Tasting Profile
Tasting Element
Intensity (1-5)
Description
🌿 Bitterness
3/5
Well-balanced bitterness
🍯 Sweetness
3/5
Natural malt-derived sweetness
🍋 Acidity
1/5
Minimal acidity
💪 Body
4/5
Full body
👃 Aroma
4/5
Rich and complex aroma
りほくん
I didn’t expect such depth from this stout! The layered coffee and chocolate flavors made it the perfect pint for Iowa’s cold winter. Unlike dank hop aromatics, this was all about savoring the depth of malt.
💬 Thoughts from Hop-kun, Riho-kun & Rune-chan
ホップくん
The coffee and chocolate flavors in stout come from roasted malt! By roasting malted barley at high temperatures, those distinctive bitter notes and aromas are created. American craft stouts often represent a unique evolution of British tradition!
りほくん
There’s something romantic about a converted bread factory, right? Drinking stout in this vast space while soaking in Iowa’s culture. So glad I drove from Chicago!
ルネちゃん
It was so big I almost got lost! But the warm, delicious stout was perfect after coming in from the cold!
🛒 Recommended Products
ルネちゃん
Stout-style craft beers caught my attention! I’d love to enjoy some at home!
りほくん
You can also buy online through Rakuten or Amazon. Check the links below!
🛒 Buy Links
Stout Craft Beer (Import)
Stout-style craft beer enjoyed at SingleSpeed Brewing. Known for roasted character and depth.
Flagship IPA-style beers. Strong support from regional fans
BeerAdvocate
4.3/5
Beer geeks praise their “adventurous style explorations”
Yelp（Waterloo本店）
4.0/5（191件）
A taproom beloved by Iowa locals and tourists
TripAdvisor
4.0/5（95店中11位）
Note: Merger planned with Backpocket Brewing & Peace Tree Brewing in early 2026
Google マップ
4.4/5（717件）
Supported by locals as a taproom in a converted bread factory
ホップくん
A brewery loved by locals! A leading force in Iowa’s craft beer scene. The massive space of the former bread factory is among the best in the Midwest!
🏅 Awards & Notable Info
GABF（Great American Beer Festival）2024: “Lavender Haze”（Experimental India Pale Ale部門）銀賞受賞
Yelp評価: 4.0/5（191件レビュー、Waterloo本店）
TripAdvisor: 4.0/5（Waterloo内レストランランキング95件中11位）
Representative Iowa Brewery: A key player in Iowa’s craft beer scene alongside Toppling Goliath
Founded in 2012. Operating across three locations: Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Des Moines. With “adventurous styles” as their motto, they actively brew seasonal specialties. Their 2024 GABF silver medal for a lavender ale validates their experimental approach.
🏆 Overall Rating
🏆 Riho Brewery Rating
★★★★☆
4/5
りほくん
They really know how to use the bread factory space. A brewery you could enjoy all day!
The vast space of the former bread factory and the Midwest’s welcoming atmosphere are the main draws. High-quality stout makes this a must-stop when visiting Iowa.
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