Iowa Brewers Guild

The Iowa Brewers Guild announces the second annual Iowa Craft Brew Festival will be held on Saturday, June 16 from 1:00-5:00pm on the Locust St. bridge in downtown Des Moines.

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.

Celebrate American Craft Beer Week (May 16-22) at the first annual Iowa Craft Brew Festival organized by all your favorite local Iowa breweries, on Saturday, May 21 in downtown Des Moines.

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

We have just gotten word that the high alcohol beer portion of SF 2088, which would allow Iowa breweries to make and sell beer up to 12%, is in jeopardy. Please reach out to the Governor’s office and request the Governor’s support for the high alcohol beer portion of SF 2088.

You can contact the Governor’s office at 515.281-5211 or online.

UPDATE: Please hold on phone calls at this point. We don’t think this was a false alarm, but we are now being told that the Governor’s office is supportive and we don’t need to call about the Iowa Beer Equality bill. Back down and reload folks! We’ll launch again if we need to.