Vom Fass, Des Moines

The German words vom fass mean "from the cask", an apt description of the concept at Vom Fass, where balsamic vinegars, oils, spirits, and liqueurs are aged in wooden casks. Customers can sample any of the precious liquids—including Spanish balsamic vinegar and ginger sesame oil—before choosing a glass bottle in which to bottle their selection.

All of Vom Fass's olive oils are made with the first cold press of olives, which yields the most intense flavor. Some of the oils are unfiltered, which is responsible for the green hue and an abundance of minerals and vitamin E, giving the body the advantage of more vowels during games of Scrabble. Pistachios, hazelnuts, and almonds, picked by hand in France, flavor the nut oils, and in addition to cooking oils, patrons can find wellness oils packed with nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Vom Fass also offers spirits and liqueurs that are made primarily by small, artisan producers from around the world.