Ames Tribune
James Beem of Story City has been hooked on creating his own barbecue sauce for many years. The exuberant response he got from customers while it was a hobby led him to consider making a business of it.
Now, despite obstacles created by COVID-19, Beem has his Knotwater Barbecue Company products on the shelves of several central Iowa retailers.
Beem pulls from different regions of the country for inspiration.
“I m a fan of regional barbecue. Kansas City has their style. North Carolina has two or three different styles to them. Texas has a style,” Beem said. “I tried to combine all of those different flavors into one bottle” his Knotwater s original.