Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
Iowa has a lot of incredible small-town bars, but there’s a pub in Pella that stands windmill blades above the rest. The Cellar Peanut Pub is a place with a friendly pub experience that can’t be beat in this Dutch-inspired town. The bar has a lively, welcoming atmosphere, one of the best bloody marys on earth and it takes its beer, very, very seriously.
Reviewers have taken notice and the pub has won a trophy case full of accolades – it has been named the best pub in Iowa, the best Craft Beer Bar in Iowa, and the pub’s bloody mary won top honors at The New York Wine & Food Festival, a contest judged by The Food Network’s cast of Chopped.
All that’s left is for you to judge this place for yourself.
The Cellar Peanut Pub doesn’t serve food but people bring in delicious pizza from a restaurant next door. While you’re in Pella, here are some more things to see and do.