Beer Blog
Quad Citizen to Know: Debbie Davis aka QC Ale Girl
May 29, 2025
In the Quad Cities craft beer scene, few names resonate as strongly as Debbie Davis. Recently awarded the 2024 Quad-City Times Bartender of the Year,…
QC Craft Beer Week Returns May 23–30, 2025, Featuring Special-Edition QC Ale Trail Ale at Bent River
May 01, 2025
The Quad Cities will raise a glass to the region’s thriving craft beer scene during QC Craft Beer Week, returning May 23–30, 2025. Timed to coincide with Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer travel season, this weeklong celebration showcases local breweries, new collaborations and the continued evolution of the QC Ale Trail.
Holiday Beers 2024
December 04, 2024
Raise a glass to holiday cheer on the QC Ale Trail! Discover seasonal brews like Bent River’s Jingle Java, Twin Span’s Cherry Pylon, and Stompbox’s Nutcracker Brown Ale. Visit local taprooms, savor festive flavors, and earn prizes by checking in at qcaletrail.com. Cheers to craft beer and holiday magic!
CELEBRATE QC CRAFT BEER WEEK 2024 AND FIVE YEARS OF THE QC ALE TRAIL
May 01, 2024
QC Craft Beer Week returns on May 10-17, 2024, marking a milestone anniversary of the QC Ale Trail.
QC Craft Beer Week Brings New Collab Brews
May 11, 2023
In celebration of these innovative brewers, QC Craft Beer Week is May 13-20, 2023, and it is a partnership between Visit Quad Cities' QC Ale Trail, MUGZ, and local breweries as they highlight the culture of craft brewing in the Quad Cities bi-state region.
Holiday Beers 2022
December 06, 2022
Whether you’re buying them as a gift, stopping in, or just picking up a growler, crowler, or cans to take home, the breweries in the QC are ready to help you be the hit of the holidays.
Frog Town Beer Fest 2022
November 16, 2022
Get Hopping! The Second Annual Frog Town Craft Beer Festival is back.
Oktoberfest Season in the Quad Cities
September 11, 2022
With the Oktoberfest events featuring beer, we can’t overlook the number of great microbreweries in the Quad Cities. It’ll be easy to fill out your QC Ale Trail passport with this list of fall beers to try! Prost! Find out what’s on tap this fall in the QC.
QC Craft Beer Week 2022
April 19, 2022
The Quad Cities welcomes back QC Craft Beer Week on May 16-21, just in time for the third anniversary of the QC Ale Trail.
Blue Cat Brewing Co. Wins Gold at International Beer Competition
April 13, 2022
Blue Cat was awarded bronze medals for their Vino #2 Wild Ale and Papa Bear Scotch Ale, a silver medal for their Emersyn Juliet Hefeweizen, and a gold medal for their Finnegan’s Dry Irish Stout. They were also named “Illinois Irish Style Brewery of the Year”.
Meet the Brewer: Radicle Effect Brewerks
September 27, 2021
No one has brewed longer in the Quad Cities than Radicle Effect Owner/Head Brewer, Rich Nunez. Hear in his own words the story behind the infamous Roasted Garlic Stout, the bonds created by collaborations with other breweries and restaurants, and a new beer he brewed with actual witches.
Ein Prosit! A Toast To Fall Beer
September 27, 2021
Oktoberfest may have been cancelled in Germany this year but Quad Cities brewers are ready with great Fall beer. Let’s check in on the stories behind some of the most traditional Fall styles, new and innovative local flavors, and even a recipe you can brew at home yourself.
Meet the Brewer: Twin Span Brewing
August 31, 2021
Twin Span Brewing’s Head Brewer and Certified Cicerone, Adam Ross, is continuing to tell the story of beer with his historical and innovative brewing style. Twin Span’s love for great food and great beer is a match made in heaven for one of the newest breweries in the QC. Adam tells all about his love for collaboration brews, connecting with customers, and his passion of Iowa corn.
Meet the Brewer: Geneseo Brewing
August 19, 2021
While the U.S. craft beer industry of today is largely performed by men, there has definitely been a growth in gender diversity. We see many women finding roles not only in the tap room and manager positions, but also in actual beer brewing roles. I talked to my good friend Rachel Leiby about her experience as the only woman Head Brewer in the Quad Cities.
Meet the Brewer: Wake Brewing
August 12, 2021
Wake Brewing is known for its “Doom Metal” inspired ethos and recently hosted a concert in their parking lot consisting of music acts both local and from out of the area representing a full spectrum of live metal music. Find out about their homebrewing roots, their connection with music, and is there a Wake food truck coming to the Quad Cities?
More Than Beer: A Tribute To Kurt Smelser
July 07, 2021
When local homebrewer Kurt Smelser passed away on April 15th, 2021 (his 62nd birthday) he left behind more than just a legacy of great brewing experience. Five local brewers stepped up to make sure Kurt’s recipe was brewed to his specifications and tapped for all to enjoy.
Top QC Brewery Patios
June 17, 2021
We have officially entered patio season 2021. Local breweries are an easy choice when trying to decide where to spend your time outdoors. From food trucks to live music and so many other events, there's no better way to enjoy them on a summer day than with a handcrafted beer! Here's a list of a few of the best brewery patios in the Quad Cities and the best beer to enjoy while there.
Beer Brewing from Home
May 20, 2021
Who doesn’t enjoy a freshly brewed beer full of flavor and body, and even better, if you brewed it yourself!
Local Craft Adventure Following the QC Ale Trail
May 05, 2021
Planning a few stops on the Quad Cities Ale Trail invites a fun way to explore some small businesses while on a getaway. The Quad Cities presents quite the impressive collection of local microbreweries to explore. With so many, each trip to the Quad Cities can be unique tasting bonanza!
QC Craft Beer Week Returns in 2021
April 23, 2021
The Quad Cities welcomes back QC Craft Beer Week on May 10-15. The Quad Cities craft beer makers continue to grow with three new breweries opening last year and Nerdspeak Brewery opening soon. Each day during QC Craft Beer Week highlights breweries in different parts of the Quad Cities regional destination to visit and support. All locations are still offering to-go options as well.
History on Tap
April 08, 2021
Every year new styles are created with some becoming very popular like the Hazy IPA, and some disappearing like the Brut IPA. As these new styles are being innovated, other “extinct” styles and processes are being discovered, studied, and revived in our local taprooms.
Prost! German Beer in the QC
March 26, 2021
The Quad Cities region has deep roots with Germany and its infamous brewing traditions. In the current state of the craft beer industry heavily hopped IPA’s and fruited sour beers may keep the lights on, but QC brewers still keep the classic German beer styles alive on their tap lists.
QC Women in Beer
March 18, 2021
Geneseo Brewing Company’s brewery was taken over by women brewers and beer enthusiasts for the annual “Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day” which takes place on International Women's Day in March each year. By the end of the day these women had created an extremely unique IPA.
A Perfect Pairing: Finding Great Food at Local Breweries
March 03, 2021
Nothing pairs better with food than beer. It’s true. The flavor combinations are absolutely endless making it much more versatile of a pairing partner than wine. Check out what to eat at each QC brewery and what beer to pair it with.
Hops in the Quad Cities: Exploring Local Brewed IPA’s
March 03, 2021
While the UK version of the style is night and day different from the version American breweries have made “the most popular American craft beer style”, overly hopped beers are definitely here to stay.
I Love the QC for our Unique Craft Brewing Culture
February 05, 2021
The Quad Cities has a rich brewing history dating back to 1847 when the first regional brewery opened in Rock Island. Today the Quad Cities region is…
Barrel Aged Beers of the Quad Cities
January 26, 2021
For years beer enthusiasts have rushed out on Black Friday to snag the infamous “Bourbon County Brand Stout” made by Goose Island. The Bourbon County popularity sparked the bourbon barrel-aged beer style trend that still remains popular and continues with Quad Cities breweries.
Holiday Craft Beers
December 07, 2020
Say cheers to the holidays with these festive seasonal brews from the craft brewers in the Quad Cities! Whether you’re buying them as a gift or just…
Interview with 2 QC Breweries
November 07, 2020
On this QC Current podcast interview, we're talking with brewers from the two oldest QC breweries still in operation today. Tune in to hear from Tim…
Plan an Oktoberfest Brewcation
October 19, 2020
Large Oktoberfest gatherings and parties aren’t happening this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put on your lederhosen and enjoy your own Oktoberfest close to your own backyard. The local microbreweries in the Quad Cities have tapped their own fall beers. Prost!
Dog Friendly Establishments in Quad Cities
September 04, 2019
Regardless of the side of the river, it is clear that more and more Quad Citizans are looking for places that are dog friendly. As the demand increases, so do the options as to where one can take their furry friends. Here is a list of businesses that you can currently take your doggies to the outdoor seating areas. This list is continually growing, so please let us know of any additions or revisions we need to make!
Quad Cities Craft Breweries
January 27, 2019
The Quad Cities has had a vibrant craft-brewing scene since the early 1990s. There are several to visit on both sides of the river, each offering a…
Bends and Brews – Beer Yoga!
April 08, 2018
Beer Yoga is a trend that is growing in popularity all over the world and you can try it here in the Quad Cities! There are now three local breweries…
How to Home Brew Beer
August 14, 2016
Have you ever had any interest in home brewing? It is a hobby that is booming in popularity right now and the Quad Cities has a plethora of options…