ReUnion Brewery prepares to launch

CORALVILLE - Mondo's Draft House is about to undergo a name-change, as well as a major menu overhaul.

That's because in a matter of weeks the established Coralville restaurant, at 516 Second St., will be renamed ReUnion Brewery, the latest addition to Iowa's craft beer scene.

On Tuesday, as workers set up the system of stainless steel vats and fermentation tanks in the restaurant's former party room, ReUnion Brewery co-owner and Vice President Aaron Jennings said every effort is being made to ensure the 10-tank system - which can produce up to 1,600 kegs a year - and the beer it produces are top notch.

'If we're going to do it, we're going it the right way,” he said. 'It's something we've always wanted to do ... it's a dream come true.”

ReUnion Brewery head brewer Logan DePover said the hope is to begin brewing the first batch next week, with a grand opening planned for Nov. 13. Beers will include some flagship German lagers, IPA's, ales and pilsners, but DePover said he looks forward to experimenting with new flavors as well.

'It's a little bit of a smaller system, so I'll get a little more intimate with the beer, which is exciting,” he said. 'Smaller batches lend themselves to taking bigger risks.”

With an established food menu, ReUnion Brewery will make sure to include some brews that pair exceptionally well with meals, DePover said.

Eventually, some beers will become available at other locations owned by Jim Mondanaro - owner of ReUnion Brewery - including Saloon, Joseph's Steakhouse and Bread Garden.

ReUnion Brewery will be the latest in the growing Iowa craft beer industry, which had an economic impact of $100.2 million last year. It also generated 1,520 jobs and increased personal income by almost $42 million, according to a recent study prepared for the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board.

A total of 54 breweries and brew pubs were operating across the state last year, according to the study.

However, Iowa's five largest breweries - Backpocket, Millstream, Toppling Goliath, Peace Tree and Confluence - accounted for 57.5 percent of the state's craft beer production.

Two of those breweries, Amana's Millstream and Coralville's Backpocket, are within a short drive from Mondo's.

Solon already has Big Grove Brewery, plans are underway to open Iowa City's Brewlab in October and nearby Wilson's Orchard is looking at next fall to open their own hard cider house.

Despite the growing selection of local craft beers, DePover, formerly with Backpocket, said he viewed that as a positive, not only for breweries, but for customers as well.

'My thing is, the more the merrier,” he said. 'Everybody wants to try everybody else's beer.”