Latest news with #ReadersChoice
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Des Moines has America's best brewpub
DES MOINES, Iowa — When Whitney Selix and her husband, Scott, opened Lua Brewing Company just over five years ago, they had no idea just how wild their initial ride would be. 'We opened in November, and the pandemic shut us down in March,' she said. 'Fortunately, we'd built a good base of customers in that short time and they helped us get through.' Five years later, Lua loyalists have stepped up again. The Sherman Hill brewpub won USA Today's Reader's Choice Award for the best brewpub in the country. 'I was kinda shocked,' said general manager, Pete Holmgren. 'The other employees and I were voting every day but I wasn't sure we really had a chance.' Readers Choice nominees are submitted by a group of travel writers and food critics associated with USA Today. Readers can then vote once per category per day to support their favorite nominees. Iowa bill would prohibit vaccines unless manufacturer waives liability protections Iowans are known to rush to online polls to support their favorites, but other 'Best Brewpub' finalists came from much larger cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, Baltimore, and Sacramento. By definition, a brewpub serves beer it makes on the premises alongside a full menu. Lua is neither Des Moines' oldest brewpub (Court Avenue Brewing Company), nor even its largest in Sherman Hill (Big Grove). Still, it seems to have made a unique space for itself in a highly-competitive market. 'We've always just kind of marched to the beat of our own drum,' Selix said, 'and kind of done what we thought was cool and fun. It seems to be working.' Holmgren says Lua has cycled through more than 400 beers in the last five years and has tripled the size of its initial food menu. The secret, he says, is to keep rolling with changes. 'No day is the same, you know? Two days ago it was 60 degrees and we were packed for a Hoyt Sherman show. And today we won best brewpub and we just had a blizzard and there's not a single person in here,' he laughed. You can find Lua Brewing Company at 1525 High Street in Des Moines. You'll find the USA Today article, here. Metro News: Des Moines has America's best brewpub Case against former Ankeny Chamber CEO headed to trial Thousands waking up without power amidst blizzard Mr. Worldwide and legendary rock band to play Grandstand at Iowa State Fair Blizzard conditions impact central Iowa Wednesday Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Twin Cities plant nursery ranked among 20 best in the US
A Minneapolis plant nursery has been listed among the 20 best in the United States, according to a 2025 USA Today Readers Choice poll. Tangletown Gardens, at 5353 Nicollet Avenue, is the only Minnesota garden center mentioned in this year's poll, with the shortlist compiled by panel of experts. Readers can vote for their favorites to make the USA Today's 10 Best list, announced on March 19. Here's what the publication said about Tangletown Gardens: "Tangletown Gardens is a trend-setting and upmarket urban gardening oasis. Their plant collection features thousands of perennials, annuals, and vegetable varieties set in a contemporary garden filled with art and beautiful, unique pieces. Tangletown also specializes in landscaping, offering design and installation services, garden care, interior plantscapes and container designs, and do-it-yourself consultations. With a subscription to their Farm Direct program, you can receive fresh, seasonal, chemical-free produce as well as meats, eggs, and other provisions." Tangletown Gardens first opened in 2003 and is owned by Scott Endres and Dean Engelmann, who turned the current property from a transmission shop to the garden center that it is today. Before the transmission shop, the 1939 building was home to the Pure Oil Station for several decades. 'Our garden business took off and has evolved over the years, making what we do more and more rewarding," the pair say on their website. "We, along with our entire team, share a common passion, love and desire for what we do, and our business is truly an expression of us.' You can vote for Tangletown Gardens to make USA Today's top 10 list here.
