Rock Island

Yes I missed the opening of Against the Grain, because I was out of town.  I did have a chance to get there the past weekend to enjoy their beer selection with my wife.  All I can say is that we enjoyed ourselves and they do have beers on tap that you cannot normally find in the QC.  They are proud of this and are trying to be different.  I have been there a couple times since and feel very comfortable here.  Rich and Neil make for a good bartending team.

When we left Against the Grain we went down to Blue Cat for dinner.  Our friends and I ordered their latest beer Phil, labeled as an American Pale Ale.  I did not fully understand the beer and guessing the beers I had before affected my perception, so that means a retake on Phil with a clean palate.  I look forward to a retry.

QC Beerguy

Against the Grain Preview

This coming Tuesday, July 10th Against the Grain Brewery and Ale House will be opening their doors for business.  At first they will only have guest beers since they are having their brew system built and it will be about another 6 weeks before it is at Against the Grain.  Here is a preview of the beers they will have on tap:  Smuttynose Old Brown, New Holland Black Tulip, Leine's Big Eddy IPA, Founder Devil Dancer, Stone's Sublimely Self Righteous Ale, Capital's Hop Cream, North Coast Old Rasputin, Southern Hemisphere 2 x Stout, Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye and Pabst Blue Ribbon.  They also will have numerous beers in bottles and cans, like the taps will be beers that you can not normally find.  They are looking to be an Ale House know for having beers that you can not normally find here in the Quad Cities. 

The bar area features a really cool hand built "L" shaped bar that will seat around 15-20 people and also a few tables and chairs for people to sit and enjoy their beers.  As well they will have a game room area that will feature a couple of pool tables, dart boards and a few video games.  Both areas will have beside tables and chairs, conversation bars where you can hang out with your friends and solve the world's problems. 

So remeber to make it to Against the Grain Tuesday PM after work and check out the place and check out the hard work Rich, Steph, Neil, the contractors and some helpful volunteers put in to make sure that Against the Grain opened.  Against the Grain is located at 1340 31st St Rock Island, IL, on top of the hill in Rock Island near Augustana College.  They plan to open at 4pm, so an after work stop would be doable.

Hope everyone enjoys the opening and I wish them well on the opening.  Unfortunately for me I will be out of town, so my first time there will be next weekend.

QC Beerguy

Against the Grain Change

Just wanted to get the word out that the owners of Against the Grain had to make a change on their opening.  Instead of July 6th they will be opening on July 10th, due to unforeseen delays on preparation.   So no beer will be flowing Friday night.  Hope no one shows up expecting them to be open.

QC Beerguy

Against the Grain Opening

For those of you in the QC Area and may be unaware, Against the Grain  Brewery and Ale House will be opening this coming Friday night, July 6th.  Doors open at 4pm.  Just a reminder they will be an Ale House first, since their brewing equipment and licensing of the brewery portion are still not completed.  Hopefully they will have both completed sometime this summer.  So come on over to Against the Grain Friday night; they are located at 1340 31st St Rock Island, IL.  I know my wife and I plan on attending the opening, so I will see many of you there.

QC Beerguy