Where The River Takes a Turn --Lost Duck Brewing Co.

Fermenters within Brewhouse

Drive down to Fort Madison Iowa at the right time of the year and you'll find a large number of ducks chilling out the by the river. Fort Madison is one of the few places along the Mississippi where the river flows east to west, this little quirk in the river causes a number of confused and lost ducks. This is just the little local flare that owner and brewmaster of Lost Duck Brewing Co. Tim Benson wanted for his brewery. Tim Benson opened his small brewpub in 2003, with only a little homebrewing experience and an attitude to learn and make what he wanted. He hired a company out of Chicago, Applied Beverage Tech. to help in the installation of the brewery. Placing the 3.5 barrel  (108 gallon) brewhouse on the second floor of the building that once claimed the name of the Grandview Room. The Grandview Room was a stop for railroaders and riverboat men that needed a place to rest, a haircut or shave at the barber in the adjacent building, or a little stop up stairs to visit a lucky lady for a small price.The picturesque building all made of brick is perfect for a small brewpub.

Bar at Lost Duck

One of the techs that helped Tim sent him on his way with a few words saying "It's your system do what you want with it". That's just what Tim Benson has done with Lost Duck, made beer that he wanted to make.Tim got his start in brewing as a homebrewer in college and always loved the beer he made. So after a number of years of practicing as a chiropractor Tim opened his brewpub. He still practices as a chiropractor and brews in the evenings and weekends when he can get time. Tim has stayed with the advice from the ABT tech and brewed what he wanted, not always brewing within the style. Which is why Tim feels there needs to be a peoples choice awards, letting the people that just want a good drinking beer decide which beer is the best instead of someone searching for the perfect representation of a certain style. Tim is excited to have his beer at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent, to show off his unconventional brews. He is most likely going to be taking his Blonde Lager, a lighter beer that is crisp and clean. Hopefully you all will get a chance to try this or one of his other beers at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent, but if not you can always swing down to Fort Madison where the river takes a turn and have Tim pour you a nice big pint of beer. Check in Later on "My Brewing Adventure"