The Foundry Distilling Company sits in the historic Valley Junction district of West Des Moines, occupying a renovated building that fits perfectly with the area’s restored early 1900s architecture. Founded by Scott Bush, a former investment advisor who traded spreadsheets for stills after developing a passion for craft spirits, the distillery opened in 2018 after several years of planning and navigating Iowa’s distilling regulations. Bush partnered with experienced distiller Jamie Stoos to create a operation focused on bourbon, rye whiskey, and gin using locally-sourced Iowa corn and other regional ingredients. Bush’s journey from finance to distilling started with home brewing and evolved into a serious study of American whiskey production. He spent time learning from established distilleries before deciding Iowa was ready for a premium craft distillery. The team uses a 250-gallon copper pot still and focuses on small-batch production, typically releasing spirits in limited quantities. Their philosophy centers on letting Iowa’s agricultural bounty shine through their spirits, working directly with local farmers for corn and other grains when possible. The experience here feels more like visiting a working laboratory than a tourist attraction. You’ll walk through their compact but efficient production space, see the mash tuns and fermentation tanks up close, and learn about their grain-to-glass process. The tasting room maintains an industrial-meets-rustic vibe with exposed brick and modern fixtures. Bush and his team are usually on-site and genuinely excited to talk about their craft, from the science of fermentation to the art of barrel selection.