Firetrucker Brewery
Commercial
Pull Back
Our recent brewery experience led to securing the conversion of a suburban Des Moines fire station into a craft brewery. Located in Ankeny’s Uptown historic downtown, the building backs to a grassy field slated to become the future Ankeny Market & Pavilion (AMP). Discussions with the brew crew led to agreement on reorienting the 1980 brick structure’s “front door” to face the AMP site—with a beer garden to connect to the market/park + bike path trailhead. Deliveries would be directed to the opposite side, where fire trucks once pulled in—with an outdoor seating area to provide connection.
Momentum
To make the new entrance visible from W. 1st Street a block away, we created a tower with the beer chiller above the entry vestibule. Internally, the brew haus resides within the taproom, which offers views of the brewing/fermentation/canning process from the bar. A lower lounge area with an exposed wood ceiling + soft seating provides a site for intimate live music performances + hanging out—complete with charging stations for phones + bike lights.
Impact
The owners’ passion for “Beer as Art” shows in the bold graphics, walnut bar top cut from a tree in Neils’s yard, custom-built cycling gear chandelier + beer garden fence. The brewery is engaging the community via bike events, art displays, live music + fundraisers. A once-vacant building has become a great destination.
"The opening weekend was a smashing success! Your vision and hard work are all over this place, and we look forward to having a beer with you soon. We are glad you and Slingshot helped us realize the vision.
Dan Heiderschiet and Neil Zaugg, Owners, Firetrucker Brewery
