We made it to a few of the above places, Exile and El Bait Shop in Des Moines covered the majority, and Big Grove in Solon.
The Cheese Shop in Des Moines was great. Sort of like a mini-Pastoral with better beers.
They were passing out KBS when we got there. I'll post pics in the charcuterie thread...
Exile: Tried 8 beers and brought home 3-4 they didn't have at the brewery from Hy-Vee.
Pretty solid all around, nothing wildly unique. Good lagers and a good Berliner. Terrible Gose, way too salty imho.
Alluvial: Ox-presso, coffee oatmeal stout was very good.
515: OJ IPA was good, milkshake style with lots of citrus flavor, mild aroma. Pale ale smelled amazing, but tasted bland and watery. If they could marry the best of both, they'd have the new Julius/Heady/Etc. on their hands.
Turner Alley: Czech Pils was good, nothing too out of the ordinary but clean and well made.
Big Grove: Tried the entire lineup. Had a good Berliner with grapes, and a wine-BA DIPA which was wild and funky.
Admired that they made a decent malt liquor. Ok nitro coffee stout, decent IPA.