Pulpit Rock Brewing Company sees one year anniversary

Craft beer is just one of the many things which draws tourists to northeast Iowa every year.

Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, the second craft brewery to set up shop in Decorah after Toppling Goliath started in 2009, celebrated their one year anniversary last Saturday.

General Manager Tyler Uetz said that it makes sense craft beer is a hot trend in this part of the state.

"You've got a community that wants to support local business and buy local products," Uetz said. "There is a lot of pride with that if you look at the younger market."

Uetz also links the recent craft beer craze sweeping the United States to prohibition.

"Before prohibition, immigrants brought different recipes and styles," said Uetz. "People have been getting back to the roots of beer, where they don't want something that's mass produced and available everywhere."

Right now, Pulpit Rock and Toppling Goliath dominate the craft beer market in Decorah, but Uetz said he wouldn't be surprised to see more breweries starting up.

"This area is already ripe for tourism," Uetz said. "Now that people are coming through on beer tours, it could happen."

That could mean more competition, but according to Uetz the future plan for Pulpit Rock Brewing Company is simple.

"We just want to make good beers and try new styles."