Des Moines · United States
Horizon Line Coffee
Horizon Line Coffee roasts in Des Moines, Iowa.
Since 2017 · Brad Penna, Nam Ho
Overview
Horizon Line was opened in 2017 by Brad Penna and Nam Ho, two Southern California friends and former higher-education colleagues who trained at Arcade Coffee Roasters in Riverside before relocating to Iowa for a more affordable city to start their roastery. Their Walnut Street cafe in the West End Artist District serves a SoCal-inflected menu — Gibraltar instead of cortado — and has since been named Best Coffee in Iowa by Food & Wine in 2018, 2019, and 2022.
Known for
- Iowa's flagship specialty coffee bar and roastery (2017)
- Best Coffee in Iowa — Food & Wine, 2018, 2019, 2022
- Glass Revolution reusable-jar program for to-go beverages
- California-influenced menu including The Traveler (espresso, Coca-Cola, bitters, allspice, vanilla)
- Light-leaning roast profile emphasizing sweetness, acidity, and body
Why it matters
Penna and Ho took the West Coast specialty playbook and translated it for the Midwest, giving Des Moines a brand that travels with national third-wave readers and gave Iowa its own seat at the specialty table.
Production
- head roaster
- Brad Penna
- roastery location
- 1417 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA (in-house at the cafe)
Café
1417 Walnut St, Suite B, Des Moines, IA 50309
Recognitions
- Best Coffee in Iowa — Food & Wine (2018, 2019, 2022)