Central Iowa Dry Aged Beef: Why 17–21 Days at Maxwell Custom Beef Is What High-Quality Beef Should Be
If you’re searching for:
The best beef in Central Iowa
Dry aged beef in Des Moines
Where to buy a half or whole cow in Iowa
Premium local beef shares
You’re not just looking for protein.
You’re looking for quality.
And high-end, quality beef starts with two things:
How the animal was raised
How the beef is aged
At Maxwell Custom Beef in Des Moines, Iowa, both matter.
What High-End Beef Actually Looks Like
There’s a major difference between commodity grocery store beef and premium, locally raised, dry aged beef.
High-end beef has:
Consistent marbling
Deep red color
Firm texture
Clean fat coverage
Rich, developed flavor
That quality doesn’t happen by accident.
It comes from Central Iowa cattle raised by producers who care for their animals from birth — and from allowing the beef to properly dry age 17–21 days.
Why 17–21 Day Dry Aging Is the Standard for Premium Beef
Dry aging is not a marketing term. It is a biological process.
After harvest, natural enzymes inside the beef begin breaking down muscle fibers.
When beef is dry aged 17–21 days:
Tenderness Increases
Muscle fibers relax and break down naturally, creating a noticeably more tender steak.
Flavor Intensifies
Moisture slowly evaporates during aging, concentrating the beef’s natural flavor.
Texture Improves
The result is a steak that cuts clean, cooks evenly, and delivers a superior eating experience.
Large-scale processing facilities often move beef quickly to maximize volume.
At Maxwell Custom Beef, we don’t rush the process.
We let time do what time is supposed to do.
Central Iowa Beef Raised the Right Way
The cattle processed at Maxwell Custom Beef come primarily from trusted cow-calf producers in:
Story County
Polk County
Jasper County
Warren County
Marshall County
Boone County
Dallas County
Surrounding Central Iowa communities
These producers:
Raise cattle from birth
Prioritize herd health
Utilize responsible feeding programs
Practice low-stress handling
When you combine responsible animal care with proper dry aging, the result is beef that rivals high-end steakhouse quality — without leaving Des Moines.
Why Buying a Half or Whole Beef Share Makes the Most Sense
If your family values high-quality beef, buying a half or whole cow in Central Iowa is the smartest move.
Instead of purchasing random cuts weekly at fluctuating grocery prices, you:
Lock in your beef supply
Secure dry aged premium quality
Customize every cut
Reduce grocery store trips
Get better value per pound
Your freezer becomes your personal steakhouse.
What Makes Maxwell Custom Beef Different in Des Moines
Not every processor prioritizes aging.
Not every facility handles cattle from trusted local producers.
Not every beef share is aged 17–21 days for maximum tenderness and flavor.
At Maxwell Custom Beef in Des Moines, Iowa:
We work with Central Iowa cattle producers
We dry age beef 17–21 days
We custom cut to your exact specifications
We vacuum seal and package professionally
We notify you when your beef is ready
We make pickup simple and efficient
This is premium beef without the premium restaurant markup.
This Is What Quality Beef Should Taste Like
When you cook a properly dry aged ribeye from a locally raised Central Iowa steer, you notice:
Rich aroma
Buttery tenderness
Clean beef flavor
Balanced marbling
It doesn’t need heavy seasoning.
It doesn’t need marinades.
It doesn’t need to hide behind sauce.
High-quality beef stands on its own.
That’s what 17–21 day dry aging does.
Beef Shares Available Now in Central Iowa
If you live in Des Moines or anywhere in Central Iowa and want:
Dry aged beef near you
A half cow for your family
A whole beef share for long-term supply
Premium Iowa-raised beef
Now is the time.
How to Reserve Your Beef Share
Visit buy.maxwellcustombeef.com
Select ¼, ½, or Whole beef
Place your $150 deposit
Submit your custom cutting instructions
We handle the sourcing, aging, cutting, packaging, and coordination.
When your beef is ready, you’ll receive a text and email.
Pull up to Dock Door #1.
Frozen. Boxed. Ready to load.
The Bottom Line for Central Iowa Families
If you care about:
Feeding your family premium beef
Supporting Central Iowa producers
Knowing how your beef was handled
Getting real dry aged quality
Then beef processed at Maxwell Custom Beef in Des Moines is exactly what you want in your freezer.
This is not average grocery store beef.
This is Central Iowa beef, dry aged 17–21 days, cut your way, and built for families who demand more.
👉 Reserve your quarter, half, or whole beef share today at buy.maxwellcustombeef.com
Because high-end beef shouldn’t require a steakhouse reservation.
