Torrent Brewing Company is a local brewing favorite. I truly family bar that allows you to bring in your own food though Torrent serves popcorn, pretzels, and pizza. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the product. I would recommend Torrent Brewing Company. read more

Torrent Brewing Company - the Bar - Breweries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Excellent and great vibes. It took the bartender FOREVER to wait on us and hardly anyone was there. If service was better, it would be a 5 for sure. All the beer we tried was yum. read more

Torrent Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Big, uninviting, virtually undecorated space. Too hot in the summer. Too cold in the winter. Parking is limited and is a real problem at peak times. Products are okay but not excellent. Employees are competent and friendly but overworked. The place has akways been understaffed when I've been there. Granted that's always been during busy times. read more

Stopped by on a Friday-night after wanting to do so for a Long time. Bartender Ian is outstanding and offered so much helpful advice and recommendations. Loved the fact we could have a casual conversation without loud music. Lived the beer selection and I must say the pizzas looked great too. Cool pool table, foosball and board games to choose from. We will go back for sure. A hidden gem in God's Country!!! read more

Thank you to Torrent for helping us celebrate a successful holiday season from your local UPS. The bartenders were friendly and helpful. The crowd was upbeat and fun. The addition of all the board games makes it a great place to hang with friends. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and plan to be back. read more

Yet another great brewery with awesome beer. They have 18 beers on tap (pints range from $4 to $8) with a nice variety of options; blonde ales, red ales, a couple of IPAs, a milk stout, and even a saison. The only downside (for me at least) is that they don't have any wheat or hefeweizen beers. Flights - yes, they have them. Select any four brews for $8. Here's the growler situation: You can purchase an empty growler for $4 (that's a deal). Refill prices vary depending on the brew you select. They have seven different beers available in cans, but you can't drink them there. Due to some silly state law, you can only purchase them to go. This makes no sense at all, but many states have crazy laws restricting what local microbreweries can and cannot do. Wine drinkers need not feel left out. Torrent Brewing Co offers both a white and a red wine for $7 a glass. Soda, candy, chips, and popcorn are available for $1 (I found it strange that they charge popcorn though). Plenty of bar space, lots of tables, and even a few couches to lounge on. Early evenings seem to be popular with the college crowd, and the place started filling up before I left. But it's not the rowdy, drinking, rebel rousing college crowd. The college crowd that hangs out at this place are mature and kind of laid back. They are there to hang out with friends and appreciate a fine brew; they aren't there to get drunk and rowdy. ***Parking situation: Watch where u park! Most of the spots are reserved for employees of the bakery next door. You can park in some of them after 5pm, or park on the street, but you have to feed the hungry parking meters. read more

See all

Now open. From Kickstarter to #IRL. Come early and stay late. Great local micro brews to guest taps .... Bring your own food or buy popcorn! Growlers not for sale at this time More soon. read more

Torrent Brewing Company - Outside - Breweries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

Stopped for beers and snack. Staff was friendly. Pretzel was great. Variety of beers on tap. read more

See all

Amazing popcorn, pretzels, and beer! Super cute industrial chic atmosphere and games to play. If you go, ask if Zoë is working! She was an absolute joy to have help us. The other servers after her shift were much less attentive and mostly on their phones hence the 4 stars, but overall good experience. Would come again depending on the staff working. read more

For many years, Olde Main used to be the place for microbrew. Make way for the Next Generation. In Ames that would be Alluvial and Torrent, and whoever might be make some great beer behind the scenes. I've stopped in at Torrent a few times during my periodic visits to Ames. It's Downtown, with plenty of parking, and if you're lucky a Rico's Truck parked outside. Inside is basically a big long handsome room, anchored by a pool table/foosball on the left (coming in), lots of seating onward, and a cool bar in the middle. There's a small TV, which doesn't qualify Torrent as a Sport Bar, but you can watch the game in relative quiet. I go more for hoppy and dark beers, of which Torrent has a nice tasty selection. There's are non-alcoholic choices and popcorn. The only downside is that their Wi-Fi is not yet public. However, that does kind of encourage you to talk to folks. read more

I came here several years ago when it first opened, and the beer was marginal. I came yesterday to find the beer is still marginal. It's a pretty decent scene though. There is lots of seating and a big, long bar. read more

Beer is ok but service is disappointing. They are friendly and all but if you aren't seating at the bar, don't expect any service. You can have any table you want but don't expect the bartenders in the empty bar to tend to you. If you order snacks and another round but are seating at a table all of it will be waiting for you at the bar. But you will see the bartenders on their phone. Anyway, second could be better or at least exist and we would return. For now, we wouldn't be back.. read more

Torrent has come a long way since opening a few years back! Both the atmosphere and the beer selection have been improved since my previous visit in 2015 and it still remains the best craft brewpub option in downtown Ames (the alternative doesn't deserve to be mentioned). The menu included 16 options of beers and ciders from a variety of styles, all at great prices for a local craft brew. That included the excellent Russian Imperial Stout which was only $6 for a 16 oz pour even at 10.5% ABV. The bar itself seems to provide something for everyone. The two staff members were polite and personable and provided conversation those at the bar. My group cycled through a few games in the Torrent library over the course of the night, which were also a highlight for some of the family groups who came in during our stay. There are also TVs throughout the bar - including one tuned to CBC for Hockey Night in Canada, which was awesome to see as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. On the whole, Torrent serves as a great community bar which can serve people of all types. read more

THINGS TO KNOW: -Tons of nearby parking. This is decently far enough from downtown Ames to not be a parking nightmare. That being said, no drinking and driving. It's not located too far from a Cyride route. -5 ounce tasters are $2. Flights of 4 of the tasters are $8. Individual pints vary in price. -They offer a root beer and a single cider option for those that don't like the full-beer experience. The cider can't be included in a flight. -They also sell other things like growlers full of beer, t-shirts, stickers, pint glasses, etc. -They do sell really cheap popcorn (50 cents) and snack bags of chips and candy bars (1 dollar). -On the nice days, there's indoor and outdoor seating. Indoor includes a decent amount of bar seating and an insane amount of tables and chairs. -They have a foosball and pool table. Pool is $1 a game. -They'll offer tours of their brewing process if you schedule in advance. Pros: -Interior is GORGEOUS. They are located in an old warehouse location, so they went "industrial chic", and they nailed it. Everything looks industrial while still looking very new and comfortable and well taken care-of. -Bartender was friendly but not pushy. She was chatting up people who seemed into that, and for the most part, left us alone (since we didn't seem up to chatting). Did a great job and was friendly. -They don't serve food. This is either a "pro" or "con" depending on how you look at it. Since they don't serve any food of their own, you're free to bring in your own munchies, have munchies delivered, or order from any of the food trucks that they currently have parked in their parking lot. Lots more (cheap and affordable!) food options, and it makes it easier for dieting/food sensitivities too since you aren't limited to just what they serve. -Beer had unique options. The cider was a great choice for people who don't like beer while they have a session beer for those who like lighter options. Some of their other beers have unique flavors and tastes to them that make them remarkable and memorable. Cons: -They don't serve food. This is either a "pro" or "con" depending on how you look at it. If you wanted a bar snack or pretzels with your beer, you're out of luck. -They allow food trucks to park in their parking lot. While I do appreciate the local business vibe, these trucks are LOUD and located right next to the outdoor seating. It ruins a lot of the outdoor "vibe" for me. -This place could get crowded. They offer concerts here, and the seating shows - lots and lots of tables. On a Friday or saturday night, I could see this place feeling much more bar-ish and less "chill". read more

See all

Stopped in for a snack and drink to discover it's a no-food place. Unfortunately we had to leave - really needed food - but the beverages choices looked great. How to get back. read more

In the past year, micro-breweries have sprouted in Iowa almost as fast as corn. In the Ames area, which I reside, we've had two new additions. Previous to them, we only had Olde Main as a craft beer option. Torrent brings a flavorful and refreshing new realm of craft beer we can proudly say is ours. I absolutely love everything about this place. First, the location. The owner's have recycled an old warehouse off of the Main Street. It's perfect for those who don't enjoy weaving through the stumbled walkers of Main's Streets Friday/Saturday bar seen. However, if you want to join them, it is only a block up the street. The warehouse it resides in also provides a unique and simplistic ambiance. The brewery's decor and presentation is very laid back. Many brew-pubs I've been to have a (for lack of a better word) "hipster" or "restaurant-style" vibe. Torrent is industrial-looking but very welcoming. The staff is quick to acknowledge you behind the bar and you're quick to smile at the ambiance. Torrent does not provide food beyond snacks, but they do make a point welcome local cart vendors and food trucks to provide that for them. I find this genius! It allows them to serve drinks and save the cost of having to buy food equipment. Additionally, it supports our local eateries that get by on making rounds through the city. It's very clever, and community-friendly. Additionally, you may order delivery there as well from other establishments. Lastly, their beer. I love a good craft beer and Torrent does it very, VERY well. I try not to name name's but in this case... They are so much better than Olde Main. A competitor about two blocks away. Where Olde Main's can run flat and almost all have a similar taste tonality to them (perhaps their brewing vats/equipment?) Torrent's flavors range so widely and each one has it's own distinct character. Their seasonal brews are always a treat, and sorely missed when tapped. **I wish it was summer, their Raspberry Wheat was AMAZING!** ***If you read this and it's still fall, GO NOW and get their Lateoberfest, A+*** Torrent deserves 5-Stars tenfold, and their staff get 5-stars a piece. Great job, and I'll see you all soon I'm sure! read more

I don't know what happened. When this place first opened, I couldn't stand the beer. However, it's gotten consistently better every time I go back. They have defiantly gotten into their groove and started making some good beer. The atmosphere is typically great and when they have a food truck in the parking lot it's a great place to spend the night and load up on good Iowa beer. That said, I think I'd spend a lot more time here buying beer if food was always available. It would diminish the atmosphere and allure of the place if they served food but it would be awesome to always have a food truck parked outside or have a insider deal with a local pizza delivery (Great Plains). Hint: you are allowed to order food to be delivered as you enjoy an Iowan beer at this place. read more

I've been to Torrent twice now with some friends from Ames and both times were great! The venue is very open and spacious so it's a can be either a place to meet new people or have a nice bubble for just you and your friends. It's clean, spacious, and the staff is great! The owner and manager is awesome and so are his employees. Torrent is definitely a great place to hang out in, but because it's new they hesitate to open full-time which is all the more reason to go out and support this local business! Bring your own food or have some pizza delivered and just relax and hang out for the night. When you're ready, head out either to the Main Street bars or back home. It's too convenient to pass on! read more

Great little brewery right in Ames! I stopped in after work one night and enjoyed a $6 flight. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. They have snacks and popcorn too! read more

Torrent Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Ames, Iowa

WOW...great tasting beers combined with a family-friendly, fun environment!

This is one of two breweries in the Ames area that opened up within the last few months. Stopped in on a Saturday evening while in town. It was moderately busy but not packed by any means. The building looked to be an old mechanics shop or small manufacturing building. It's pretty nondescript from the outside. On this particular evening there was a food cart outside, can't remember what he was selling though. We had already ate anyway so no big deal. Inside is pretty spacious with quite a few tables, a long bar, and a pool table. As usual I bellied up to the rail. I decided to go with a flight which gets you four beers from any on their list. At the time they had about 10, maybe 12. Everything they had was pretty much core type beers. Nothing really stood out to me when reading the menu. The beers I did have were decent for their styles. Not so outstanding that it makes me remember them but not bad where I would remember them the wrong way either. Honestly, pretty middle of the road. As with most newer breweries it takes a little while for them to get their recipes right and such. I definitely would like to try them again in a few months to see what has changed. Besides the cart outside there is no food here although I think they are OK with ordering from outside places and having it delivered. My biggest gripe about the location is that because of the thick concrete walls it really kills your cellular signal. They might have WiFi however where I was sitting at I wasn't picking up a router so I'm not sure. It sounds like a minor gripe but in today's world where everybody lives on their devices having no cell service or no WiFi is a real downer. (I believe they do have some type of WiFi because the bar uses iPads to ring up purchases and swipe credit cards). Overall a decent brewery in downtown Ames. I look forward seeing what the future brings for them. read more

Torrent Brewing Company has been around Ames a lot longer than I thought it had. I probably hadn't been here before simply because I'm more of a foodie than a beer drinker, but I know good beer and like sampling microbrews when I can. Torrent had an event on a Friday night recently and brought in a local food truck, so having both made me game to visit. The food truck was a local taco truck that is well-known. Though that was fantastic, this reveiw is about Torrent only so they don't add or take away from this review. There were three beers on tap at Torrent that night and I sampled all three. My favorite of the three was the cherry lager. Very good with a nice taste of sour cherry. I'm not a fan of IPAs so I didn't care too much for the standard dark IPA, though it wasn't terrible either. IPAs are too bitter for my taste. Finally, I sampled the red ale. This was pretty good, though not all that memorable. It was a pretty standard red ale. The beers are good for sure. This place is definitely a step up from Olde Main and not quite as good as Alluvial, though it's close. For craft beer, it's definitely getting better. read more

Your standard pop-up microbrewery experience. Clean bathrooms, industrial-modern vibe, and quality seating for larger parties. Brews were refreshing. I would go back again. read more

My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner at Torrent. The owner Andy made sure that we had everything we needed to make the event special. The night before the dinner his team stayed late to make sure everything was ready. The beer was delicious and was a hit all night. The bartenders were friendly and responsive. The tables and decor made for a perfect relaxed, yet classy atmosphere that allowed everyone to have a casual night of pool, games, and great conversation. read more

Garage atmosphere. The beer tastes like it was brewed in the garage also. Poor selection, and very poor service.

Love the name and love the building. Staff was friendly but some were there to please their friends more than wait on customers. The beer was ok but nothing really stuck out to either of us. We probably would not return unless in the area and wanting to take friends on a beer tour. Nice patio available. Smoking outside only. No food available other than some chips. Bring your own with you if you want. read more

My boyfriend and I are regulars here. I go mostly for the atmosphere love the building and decor. The beer is truly hit or miss if your an ipa or stout fan it's great. However I prefer the sours, heffies and reds. The service is also sometimes not good at all. One time the bartender didn't even wait on me but did my boyfriend ended up walking out. It either goes from great to the worst. Just cross your fingers and hope Samone is working. read more

Good beer bad hours. Had Rico tacos but are closed? Don't get it. Why post they are there when you can't come in and have a beer to. But really good beer. read more