Bar
Unclaimed profileDust Bowl Brewing Co. Old Town Tap House
Elk Grove, CA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Dust Bowl Brewing Co. Old Town Tap House is a beer-first destination in pouring from two 30-tap bars. The draft list spans IPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, and seltzers, with a $14 flight sampler for five pours. Cocktail and spirits evidence comes from the Turlock location, not here. Hop Water is the documented non-alcoholic option.
- What should I order?
- Start with the 5-beer flight sampler to survey the rotating draft list. Look for the Nitro Stout for a smooth, lower-IBU pour, or the Day Ender if you want a double IPA with serious hop bitterness. Oktoberfest offers a seasonal Märzen at a reasonable price.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the 60-tap selection and the chance to sample Dust Bowl's own brews. Those seeking cocktails or wine will find limited documented options at this location. The historic brick setting and food menu may appeal to groups, but the main draw is the beer.
- When should I go?
- Go when you want to explore a wide range of beer styles in one visit, perhaps on a weekday afternoon when the taproom is less crowded. The rotating taps mean there's always something new to try.
- What should I expect to spend?
- A flight of five beers or seltzers runs $14. Taster pours are $3.50, half pours $5.75, and full pours $8.00 for select beers. Non-alcoholic Hop Water is available, but pricing is not documented.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The two 30-tap bars offer one of the larger draft selections in the area, all from Dust Bowl Brewing Co. The historic brick building adds character, and the rotating lineup includes house-made seltzers alongside traditional styles. Community reviewers specifically praised the nitro stout and IPAs.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Cocktail evidence comes from the Turlock Beer Garden, not. Examples like Prairie Peach Tea and Thyme After Time show a creative use of house spirits, but no menu or pricing confirms availability at this location.
Menu strengths
- — House spirits are used in cocktails, including moonshine and gin.
Standout selections
- — Prairie Peach Tea: Dust Bowl Peach Moonshine, house-brewed iced tea, fresh lemon, simple syrup.
Pricing: No pricing documented for cocktails.
Wine
A 'Wine List' section is mentioned at the Turlock Beer Garden, but no specific wines are detailed. At wine availability is unconfirmed, so the program is essentially undocumented.
Pricing: No pricing documented.
Beer
The beer program is the core strength: 60 taps across two bars, rotating Dust Bowl brews and seltzers, with styles from IPAs to stouts. Community reviewers praised the selection and quality, particularly the nitro stout and IPAs.
Menu strengths
- — Rotating lineup includes IPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, and seltzers.
- — Community reviewers praised the beer selection and quality.
Standout selections
- — Oktoberfest: Märzen, 5.5% ABV, 22 IBU, taster $3.50.
- — Nitro Stout: American stout, 5.6% ABV, 28 IBU.
- — Hops of Wrath: Flagship IPA, 6.6% ABV, 50 IBU.
Pricing: Flight sampler (5 beers/seltzers) $14; taster $3.50, half pour $5.75, full pour $8.00 for select beers.
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic options are limited but present. Hop Water is available at and a non-alcoholic slushy is documented at Turlock. This is a minor part of the program.
Menu strengths
- — Hop Water provides a zero-ABV option with hop flavor.
Standout selections
- — Hop Water: Non-alcoholic hop water with lemon lime flavor, 0.0% ABV.
Pricing: Watermelon Crush Slushy (non-alcoholic) $5 at Turlock; Hop Water pricing not documented.
Spirits
Dust Bowl produces its own bourbon, moonshine, and gin, used in cocktails. RTD moonshine cocktails are listed at Turlock, but no spirits list or pricing exists for the tap house.
Menu strengths
- — House-distilled spirits (bourbon, moonshine, gin) are used in the drinks.
Standout selections
- — Tasting Team Bourbon Whiskey RTD: Dust Bowl Bourbon Whiskey and Hop Water.
Pricing: No pricing documented for spirits.
How it sits with the food
The venue offers a full food menu from its kitchen, but specific food items are not documented. Beer styles like the Nitro Stout could pair with hearty dishes, while IPAs might suit spicier fare. No formal pairing guidance is available.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.