Celebrate Quad Cities area breweries during QC Craft Beer Week going on Saturday, May 13 to Saturday, May 20.
The annual event is hosted by Visit Quad Cities’ QC Ale Trail, MUGZ (the local home-brewing club) and local breweries.
Since its inception by MUGZ in 2011, QC Craft Beer Week has highlighted the culture of craft brewing in the Quad Cities, according to a news release. Today, the region is home to more than 15 breweries producing craft beers, and QC Craft Beer Week lends the opportunity to visit and support them.
This year’s weeklong event also coincides with the fourth anniversary of the QC Ale Trail, a year-round, self-guided, gamified tour of the local craft beer scene.
The QC Ale Trail offers commemorative items for visiting our area breweries. Visit four breweries to earn an engraved bottle opener, or visit all the breweries to earn a commemorative QC Ale Trail pint glass. To mark your progress, register here and then check in at participating breweries using a mobile or paper QC Ale Trail passport.
“Visit Quad Cities always looks forward to QC Craft Beer Week,” Dave Herrell, president and CEO, Visit Quad Cities, said in the release. “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.”
This week’s events include:
- Quad Cities Beer Battle on the Belle (Celebration Belle riverboat cruise), 12-3 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Celebration Belle, 2501 River Drive, Moline. Boarding is at 11:30 a.m. Tickets ($30) may be purchased here and include craft beer samples from a dozen regional brewers, pizza, a custom sample glass, and the chance to vote for the best brew. For more information, visit www.celebrationbelle.com.
- MUGZ homebrewers’ small-batch collaboration beer tapping, Friday, May 19, Endless Brews, 310 N. Main St., Davenport. Ten homebrewers have joined forces with QC Ale Trail breweries to create crafted beers.
- Quad Cities Topless Brewery Cruise for Charity, 10-10:45 a.m. registration, 5:45 p.m. after-party, Saturday, May 20, begins and ends at Front Street Brewery Taproom, Freight House, 421 W. River Drive, Davenport; $25 per four-wheeled vehicle and $15 per cycle with fewer than four wheels.
- Shops with Hops, 3-6 p.m. Saturday, May 20, Downtown LeClaire and Muscatine, Iowa. Sample local and regional brews and shop the downtown areas. Tickets ($25) may be purchased here. Open-air vehicles make stops at five local breweries with event proceeds to benefit Honor Flight of the Quad Cities.
- After-Party, 6-7 p.m. Saturday, May 20, Green Tree Brewery, 309 N. Cody Road, LeClaire. Find raffle prizes and more with proceeds benefiting Getting Heroes Home.
“Craft Beer brings residents and visitors together, is important for tourism and helps frame the authentic story of the QC,” Mr. Herrell added. “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.”
For more information, visit www.qcaletrail.com or follow the QC Ale Trail Facebook group.
