Quench your thirst when Des Moines Biergarten returns through fall with a taste of Germany

Paris Barraza, Des Moines Register
·2 min read

Sip on German beers and snack on a bratwurst all summer when the Des Moines Biergarten returns for its third season at Water Works Park.

People can visit the park during select hours to experience the family-friendly pop-up beer garden dedicated to serving German-inspired food and German beers.

All you have to do is bring a lawn chair or a blanket, though there will be picnic tables.

The Orvis Horatio Group, who are behind Dough Co. Pizza, operate the Des Moines Biergarten. A portion of the biergarten’s revenue will be donated to the Water Works Park Foundation, according to a news release.

“After a period of successful preseason pop-ups so far this spring, we’re excited to be officially opening the Des Moines Biergarten for the season,” said Alec Davis with Orvis Horatio Group in the news release. “We’re building on the Biergarten’s success with increased weekend hours and a full food menu.”

What is the Des Moines Biergarten menu?

Maddi Githens (28) of Des Moines pours a beer during the first day of Biergarten at the park, a new German-themed pop-up beer garden at Water Works Park on Thursday, September 1, 2022. German and local craft beers will be offered in large stein glasses alongside menu options like brats, hot dogs, and pretzels.
Maddi Githens (28) of Des Moines pours a beer during the first day of Biergarten at the park, a new German-themed pop-up beer garden at Water Works Park on Thursday, September 1, 2022. German and local craft beers will be offered in large stein glasses alongside menu options like brats, hot dogs, and pretzels.

Visitors can get steins of draft beer, including a Paulaner Munich Lager or the dark amber beer Warsteiner Dunkel. Expect seltzers, sours and nonalcoholic beverages including soda and bottled water in addition, according to the biergarten's website.

The food menu for the preseason pop-up events held earlier May and in April featured hot dogs, bratwursts, Bavarian pretzels, currywurst and fries and regular French fries.

The biergarten is cashless.

What are the Des Moines Biergarten's hours?

The Des Moines Biergarten returns through the end of October from Wednesdays through Sundays.

Hours for the 2024 season are:

  • Wednesday and Thursday: 3-9 p.m.

  • Friday through Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Hours may change due to weather and the Field Daze Music Series calendar, which brings performers like country legend Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin founder Robert Plant and more to the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park.

What is the Des Moines Biergarten music schedule?

Expect daily live music and entertainment at the biergarten, according to the news release.

On Sundays, swing by from 1 to 3 p.m. for the Local Bands, Brews and Bikes to catch live music. This year’s lineup includes the NOLA Jazz Trio, the Heath Allen Band and for the biergarten’s first Sunday of the season, the Mike Aceto Trio.

What is the address for Water Works Park in Des Moines?

Water Works Park is located at 2201 George Flagg Parkway in Des Moines.

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines Biergarten returns to Water Works Park with German beers