Happy Thirsty Thursday!

Last Saturday, Rob and I walked the Dog Day 5k, which is in conjunction with the Lola’s Half Marathon in Waconia. So as to avoid the chaos with the dogs, we decided to venture out to Waconia the night before to pick up our shirts and packets.

Another reason to do this was that we don’t get out that way too often. There was a new-to-us brewery to try! In fact, Waconia has a couple of breweries, wineries and a distillery, so I had to narrow things down a bit. Eventually, I decided it would be best to park once and walk. Waconia Brewing Company is just a few of blocks from our packet pick-up location.

Also, I found the Driftwood Gin Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout on Waconia Brewing’s online tap list and was just dying to try it! It’s aged in J. Carver gin barrels – the distillery located right in Waconia.

But alas, upon arrival, I found this:

Instead, I settled for the rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter:

Tasty! I really liked this taproom – the layout, the tables, the bar. I found a really nice pullover I wanted to buy, but it wasn’t in my size. I could have gone with another color, but since my KonMari-ing of my wardrobe, I have learned that I have to love an item for me to wear it. Otherwise, it’ll just sit in my closet.

{Note: We went back after the race the following day so our friend Terri could try that Chocolate PB Porter, but Steve and I waited outside with the pooches. {There is no patio.} Right as we were about to leave the owners showed up and told us that we could bring our dogs in if they were on leash. Good to know!}

~

After a pint, we walked a couple blocks back toward our car and decided to stop for dinner at the highly-rated-on-the-interwebs Iron Tap.

I like the rooftop patio, as well as the covered patio in the back. However, we took our usual seat at the small bar inside. For an establishment that most definitely has the best tap selection in Waconia, the interior wasn’t very big, with just six seats at the bar.

{Note: What I can tell you is that dogs are not allowed on the patio here. Knowing that the Waconia Brewing Chocolate PB Porter was on tap here, we inquired after the race if we could have a beer on the patio with our pooches. Regretfully, no. That’s why we went over to the taproom.}

There were several beers on tap that I’ve never had.

This may have been the first time I’ve seen one of Indeed Brewing‘s beers from their Wooden Soul series on tap outside the taproom! Many of the beers at the Iron Tap are local, too. I tried this wonderful collaboration beer by our local Indeed Brewing Company with the nationally-known New Belgium Brewing.

The menu had items that sounded so fresh and wonderful! The salads intrigued me most, but I thought I should have something a bit more substantial.

It looks tasty, right? But, in essence, it was pretty boring. There wasn’t a ton of sauce and there seemed to be barely any sausage because I couldn’t taste it. The only saving grace was the cheese. I ate about half of this pizza really only because I needed some food. As I saw salads coming out of the kitchen, I had ordering remorse! I should have went with my gut.

Rob, on the other hand went absolutely nuts over these nachos!

Now this one photo is the opposite of the last. Neither of us thought the nachos looked tasty, but they truly were! There was so much flavor in here that Rob kept telling me how good they were that he finally offered me a bite! 😉

Yes, if we are in Waconia again, the Iron Tap is where we’ll be stopping. Now we have yet to try Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery, Parley Lake Winery and J. Carver Distillery. But we either need to try them one at a time or take a tour. Unless someone is going to be our chauffeur? Anyone? No?

Do you ever drive further out to check out another city or try a new restaurant?

If so, what has been your great find? 

Cheers~
Carrie