The event will feature more than 25 Iowa breweries and 100+ craft beers, along with a host of regional and national micro-brews. Craft beer lovers will enjoy unlimited beer samplings, live music, food, and a wide variety of special brews exclusive to the Iowa Craft Brew Festival.

After a sell-out inaugural event last year, the festival has been moved to the Locust St. Bridge from its previous location at 10^th and Walnut, to have more space and accommodate additional people.

“The second annual Iowa Craft Brew Festival marks a significant shift in the Iowa beer industry,” says Dave Coy, Iowa Brewers Guild president and head brewer at Raccoon River Brewing Co. “More breweries are launching in Iowa, companies are distributing Iowa beer throughout the Midwest, brewers are winning national awards, and many Iowans are choosing to drink local. The Iowa Craft Brew Festival is an opportunity for craft beer lovers to experience all that Iowa breweries have to offer, as well as mix in some favorite regional and national micro-brews. We’re looking forward to another great year.”

Advance VIP ($25) and general admission ($20) tickets are on sale now at http://midwestix.com. VIP pass holders get exclusive early access into the festival to beat the crowds from 1:00-2:00pm. There are a limited number of VIP passes available and will not be sold day of. General admission ticket holders can enter the festival grounds at 2:00pm. Designated driver tickets are available for $5.

Iowa Craft Brew Festival
Saturday, June 16
VIP 1:00-2:00pm, General Public 2:00-5:00pm
Locust St. Bridge, between 2^nd Ave. and E. 1^st St., downtown Des Moines, Entrance on west side of bridge next to YMCA
Takes place rain or shine
Live music acts TBA
VIP (advance only, limited quantity) – $25
Advance General Admission – $20
Day of – $30
Designated Driver – $5

Advance tickets are available for purchase at http://midwestix.com. If the event does not sell out in advance, day of tickets will be available for sale with cash or credit card.

Sample craft brews by more than 20 Iowa breweries and 80+ beers, along with a host of regional and national microbrews, live music, and food. Attendees will enjoy unlimited beer samplings along 10th Street between Walnut and Mulberry from 3-7pm. Advance tickets are available via Midwestix for $15 and day of tickets will sell for $20. The event will feature performances by Jefferson County Green Band and Seedlings. Guests can look forward to a wide variety of creative brews, including a number of collaborative beers aged in Templeton Rye barrels.

As the Iowa Craft Brew Festival winds down, guests are encouraged to stay for the official after party, Suds in the Street, hosted by Raccoon River Brewing Company. Favorite local bands The Workshy and Brother Trucker will entertain guests from 7:30-11pm. Daytime attendees receive free admission with their wristband. Tickets to the after party are also available at the gate for $5/guest. Concession stands featuring craft beer and grilled favorites will be provided.

Both events will take place rain or shine. If inclement weather occurs, the Iowa Craft Brew Festival will move to the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Fort Des Moines. The Suds in the Street after party will move into Raccoon River Brewing Company.

The Iowa Craft Beer Festival is organized by the Iowa Brewers Guild, a non-profit with the purpose to showcase and improve the quality of beer brewed in Iowa, foster communication between the state’s brewers, advocate for the promotion of the local brewing community, and lobby for progressive changes in Iowa laws to benefit the craft brewing industry in the state.

Iowa Craft Brew Festival and Suds in the Street
Saturday, May 21
3-7pm Tasting
7:30-11pm After Party
10th Street between Walnut and Mulberry, downtown Des Moines
Tasting and After Party Tickets: $15 advance via Midwestix or $20 at the door
After Party Only Tickets: $5 at the door only
Spread the word! Invite your friends to the official Facebook event.

Live Music
3:00-4:15pm – Seedlings
4:45-7:00pm – Jefferson County Green Band
8:00pm-9:15pm – The Workshy
9:45pm-11:00pm – Brother Trucker

Four courses will be served, each paired with a different Olde Main beer. Brewery tours and a social hour will begin at 6pm, with the dinner service starting at 7pm. Olde Main brewers will be on hand to discuss the food and beer pairings. A limited number of tickets are available for $40/person (includes tax and gratuity) and can be purchased now at the restaurant and brewpub or by calling 515-232-0553. To hold a spot in the dinner you must pay the full $40 or a $20 deposit.

Course 1
Sodbuster Stout & Wild Mushroom Napoleon – Caramelized Crimini, oyster and shitaki mushrooms in puff pastry with a Sodbuster Stout demi glace.
Served with Sodbuster, Stout Ale

Course 2
Spinach Salad – Baby spinach with mandarin oranges, walnuts and red onions, topped with warm bacon vinaigrette.
Served with Dinkey Wheat, Belgian Style Wheat Ale

Course 3
Pepper Crusted Angus Tenderloin – 8-oz. Certified Angus Beef shoulder tenderloin crusted with cracked pepper then grilled to perfection. Served with warm potato salad and sautéed fresh green beans and baby carrots.
Served with Long Face, Amber Ale

Course 4
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Served with Horseman’s Revenge, Pumpkin Ale

Click here for information on pairing Olde Main beers with food and recipes for cooking with beer.

Get your tickets for $15 in advance at Millstream or purchase day of. There is a cap on attendance so make sure to get an advance ticket or arrive early on Sunday.

Salad- mixed greens with basil peach vinaigrette, candied peaches, cherry tomatoes and pecans.

Paired with White Tail Pale Ale

Entree- risotto crusted salmon served with mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, and white wine butter sauce.

Paired with Sticke Altbier

Dessert- peaches and cream cheese cake

Paired with Anniversary Ale (pre-tap)

Cost is $35 per person; tax, gratuity, dinner and beer pairings included.

Doors will open at 5:30 pm. Must be 21 to attend. Zoo Brew is free with regular zoo admission ($9.95) and free for zoo members. Admission doors close at 8 pm…music and drinks available until 9:30 pm. Get all the details here. Like to save money? Download a coupon for 50 percent off admission.

Cityview’s Brewfest
Saturday, July 11
3pm-7pm
Principal Park
Des Moines

$28 Admission
$10 Designated Driver

Buy tickets now!

More info http://www.dmcityview.com/brewfest/.

To coincide with American Craft Beer Week, the Iowa Brewers Guild will launch their Web site IowaBeer.org. The site will feature all the breweries in Iowa, as well as a blog, event calendar, beer education, and a forum to discuss everything about Iowa beer. The Iowa Brewer’s Guild will also a launch an Iowa Beer Facebook page and Twitter account.

American Craft Beer Week Events in Iowa

Granite City – Cedar Rapids, Clive, Davenport
All locations will give brewery tours on Saturday, May 16 from 2-5pm and feature the new seasonal beer, Blueberry Ale. The Davenport location is offering free mug club memberships during the brewery tours.

Millstream Brewing Co. – Amana
Brewery tours will be held on Saturday, May 16 from 1-4 pm.

Olde Main Brewing Co. – Ames
On Thursday, May 14 from 5-8pm take a tour of the brewery, participate in the tapping of a firkin, taste more than 8 beers on tap, and take home a growler or six-pack.

Raccoon River Brewing Company – Des Moines
Tours will be given of the brew house on Saturday, May 16 from 1-4pm. Also take advantage of $6 paddle racks to sample each of Raccoon River’s brews and try the chef’s special appetizers.

Rock Bottom – West Des Moines
An open house will be held on May 16 from 11am-4pm. Patrons can enjoy 13 different beers on tap and sign the Declaration of Beer Independence. All week there will be a toast to craft beer during each happy hour. Enjoy new beers Stand Up Ale (California Pale Ale) and Pink Ribbon Ale (proceeds benefit Breast Cancer Awareness).