Quad City Beer Happenings

Today I realized I have been a bit negligent on making people know what is happening in the Quad City Craft Beer scene, so I am going to amend it this evening.  First event I am going to mention is WQPT's Brew Ha Ha, it will be happening on Saturday, September 17th from 1-5 PM at Le Claire Park in Downtown Davenport, IA.  Proceeds from the event go to WQPT, the local Quad City PBS station.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate; for more ticket information go to http://wqpt.org/brew/.  This is their 12th annual Brew Ha Ha and has become a well attended event.  Of course there will be numerous beers, from mass produced to craft to locally produced beer. 

Besides the beer there will be various other activities on going during the fest.  Entertainment will be provided by Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls and Blacklist Improv Comedy Troupe.  Also they will offer the fest goers an opportunity to show off various games of skill.  As always the people from Cabot Cheese will have cheese tasting throughout the day.  Something new this year, I believe, is the designated driver tent where the DDs will receive a goodie bag and be eligible for special drawings. Again this year there will be voting for the "People's Choice Award" for the top three beers at the fest.  So if you are not doing anything head on down to Le Claire Park and enjoy tasting some special beers.


Onto our local breweries.  First up Bluecat Brewpub in Rock Island.  They currently have 3 new beers on tap along with their 3 standards.  The 3 new beers include the Black Zemon a black saison with crystallized ginger, this beer went quickly at Great Taste of the Midwest as well as being a personal favorite.  The second beer is Tuck's Tenacious Trippel, a complex, fruity Belgian beer with a definite kick, so do not down several glasses and expect to be able to walk. The third "new brew" is the Mississippi Mocha Coffee Stout, a very good coffee stout worthy of fighting it out with the other two locally produced coffee stouts.  This beer is roasty, black and has a definite coffee taste, so if you need a wake me up beer give it a try.  Also the next Beer Dinner will be November 10th, for more information go to http://www.bluecatbrewpub.com/BDBS%202011.html.

Here are the upcoming events for Great River Brewery.  They will be attending two beer festivals within the next month. First is the Thirsty Troll Fest in Mt. Horeb, WI on Saturday, September 10th, this is a really fun fest and I along with my wife and several friends will be attending.  For more information go to http://www.trollway.com/productlist.asp?cat=85.  Their second fest is Iowa City Brewfest in Iowa City, IA on Saturday, October 1st, for more information go to http://www.johnsgrocery.com/events/calendar/index.cfm?action=viewEvent&EVENT_ID=37.

Great River has a couple special tappings upcoming.  The tapping for Chick Wa Wa at this time has been postponed and will be rescheduled.  This is a malt beverage they are making in conjunction with Mississippi River Distilling.  I am very intrigued to see what they have created so I can not wait for the tapping.  Coming up on Thursday, September, 15th is the tapping party for this year's Oktoberfest beer.  The festivities start at 5pm, so run over right after work to enjoy a pint or two.

Front Street Brewery currently has an American Pale Ale as their Brewmaster's Special.  I tasted it this weekend and it is an assertively hopped beer that has a good malt backbone to complement the hops.  Being a hop head I would recommend this to other hop heads.  So while it lasts give it a shot.

Bent River is providing the beer for the beer garden after the Taming of the Slough.  The racers get in for free and the general public can join the party by purchasing a $5 wristband.  For those that may not know this is a race on water and on land.  The land portion involves both riding a bike as well as running.  If you feel adventuresome give it a try, go to http://www.riveraction.org/taming for more information.

Well that is a rundown on what I know is upcoming in regards to the local craft beer scene.  Hopefully something strikes your fancy and you will give it a try.  Later.

QC Beerguy