QC Craft Beer Week Brings New Collab Brews
QC Craft Beer Week was started in 2011 by MUGZ, the local home brewing club. Today, the Quad Cities region is home to more than 15 breweries producing craft beers. 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.
This year’s event falls during the fourth anniversary of the QC Ale Trail—a year-round, self-guided, gamified tour of the local craft beer scene. Hundreds of craft beer lovers from 25 states have already blazed the trail. Find out more at www.qcaletrail.com.
QC Craft Beer Week opens on Saturday, May 13, with the Quad Cities Beer Battle on the Belle. Now in its second year, attendees cruise on the Celebration Belle riverboat from 12-3 p.m. while enjoying samples of craft beer from a dozen different regional brewers. Tickets include pizza, a custom sample glass, and voting to select the best brew. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.celebrationbelle.com.
Ten MUGZ homebrewers have worked with QC Ale Trail breweries on specialty, small-batch collaboration beers. These crafted beers will all be on tap on Friday, May 19, at Endless Brews, 310 N. Main Street, in downtown Davenport, Iowa.
To close out the week, there are two events on Saturday, May 20. Local and regional breweries will have samples of their beer in the shops of LeClaire, Iowa, during Shops with Hops. Purchase a $25 ticket in advance at www.shopswithhops.com and pick up your souvenir tasting glass at Green Tree Brewery in LeClaire. Beginning at 3 p.m., you can sip, sample and shop until the after-party at Green Tree Brewery from 6-7 p.m., with raffle prizes with proceeds going to Getting Heroes Home.
The Spring 2023 Quad Cities Topless Brewery Cruise for Charity also takes place on Saturday, May 20, with stops at five local breweries. All vehicles that are open-air are encouraged to participate. 100% of proceeds from this event will be donated to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities. It starts and ends at the Front Street Brewery Taproom, located at the Freight House in Downtown Davenport. Registration is day-of from 10-10:45 a.m. $25 per Vehicle (4 Wheels or More) or $15 per Cycle (Less Than 4 Wheels). The ride returns to Front Street at 5:45 p.m. for the after-party. For more information, visit https://www.frontstreetbrew.com/
“Visit Quad Cities always looks forward to QC Craft Beer Week,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “Craft Beer is part of the cultural fabric of the Quad Cities and this week is a great chance to get connected to our QC Ale Trail and experience the unbelievable product that is produced by our microbreweries. Craft Beer brings residents and visitors together, is important for tourism, and helps frame the authentic story of the QC. We hope that you will join us in raising a pint and celebrating the people behind this industry which is vital to our regional destination.”
During QC Craft Beer Week, organizers encourage you to visit and support our breweries in the Quad Cities. For more information about QC Craft Beer Week, visit www.qcaletrail.com. You can also follow the QC Ale Trail Facebook group to get updates about specials, tappings, or events from breweries.
This riverfront region has a long history of brewing beer. The QC Ale Trail invites Quad Citizens and visitors to taste the top-quality pints from our current batch of brewers. Visit four breweries to earn an engraved bottle opener; visit all the breweries to earn a commemorative QC Ale Trail pint glass. Check in at participating breweries using a QC Ale Trail mobile or paper passport to earn the commemorative QC Ale Trail items. Go to qcaletrail.com to register and visit the online store for QC Ale Trail merchandise. You can join the conversation with fellow Trailblazers in our Facebook group as well.