From Wine to Iowa Made Beer--Madhouse Brewing Co.



How does a person with a degree in grape growing and wine science go from being in charge of a successful winery to being the head brewer at a craft brewery, he likes beer. Mason Groben went to UC Davis like many other brewers before him have done, but Mason went for a completely different reason; wine not beer. His parents, Jean and Paul Groben started growing grapes on their property in Newton in 2000. Once Mason had graduated from UC Davis, Jasper Winery was formed, in a refurbished warehouse. After the winery had outgrown its location in Newton and moved to Des Moines, Mason decided to start a brewery in the old winery in Newton. So after working hard to change outdated laws that prevented a person to work in two different businesses that produced alcohol, let's say a winery and a brewery, Madhouse brewery was opened in  January of 2010. With twenty investors tanks were bought and a brewery was formed in the buildings that once housed the historic Newton Maytag Corporation.

Fermentation tanks and Kettle

Luckily wine making is seasonal, which allows Mason to split his time  between the brewery in Newton and the winery in Des Moines. Splitting his time roughly 50/50 Mason brews on a 15 bbl system and has developed 6 different beers. Which is quite a feat for a person with the majority of his experience in wine who also has to split his time with a winery.  Madhouse now has its Pastime Pale and American Wheat both bottled in 12 oz bottles and a Hopburst IPA in 22 oz bombers. But most impressive is their three beers that use Iowa produced products. Sticking with his parents appreciation of Iowa grown products, Mason uses locally roasted coffee from Java Joes in Madhouse's Coffee stout, Iowa grown hops in their seasonal Iowa IPA and most recently his use of Ebert Farms honey in their summer seasonal Honey Pilsner all sold in 22 oz bombers.

Flagships Pastime and American Wheat

Madhouse can be found throughout Iowa from Okoboji to Ames, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and of course Des Moines. Jasper Winery is being used as their unofficial tasting room, located mere minutes from downtown Des Moines right off of Fleur Drive. Jasper Wines and Madhouse beer can be tried daily along with various cheeses and even chocolate pairings. But if your busy schedule doesn't allow you to get to the winery to try some Madhouse beer or you can't seem to find that beer your looking for in the store your in luck, they'll be at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent which is just a few days away. Madhouse will be bringing their Pastime Pale, American Wheat and of course the summer seasonal Honey Pilsner. Come and try them all. Check in later on "My Brewing Adventure"