All Drink! Here’s How To Make The Most of Your First Beer Festival
There are a handful of beer festivals coming up here in the Quad Cities. I got to thinking about the "best practices" or "pro tips" to get the most out of your experience.
Charlie Cole from the Blue Cat and I talked about what to expect if The QC Beer Battle on the Belle is your first beer fest.
Know What To Expect
Breweries tend to bring at least 2 beers of their own for you to sample. You'll get a glass to use and they'll pour 2 ounces for your drinking pleasure. Just be sure to rinse the glass between pours so the tastes don't mix.
Try New Styles
We have a habit of going with what we know. We latch on to what we know we like and are afraid to try anything different. This is not the place to try beers you have in your fridge. Go out of your way to try a style you don't particularly like.
For instance, I used to say I didn't like sours. Now, because I've tried a few variations, I can't say that anymore.
Don't Be Afraid To Toss a Beer
No, not literally! There are going to be a LOT of beer options for you. Slamming every single one just because it was given to you is not necessary. Don't be rude about it in front of the brewer, but don't feel obligated to finish every drop.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
There are rinsing stations placed all around to make sure you don't taint the flavor of one beer with the next. But feel free to drink some as you rinse. Hydration is key to consuming alcohol responsibly.
Get Some Food In Your Belly
Make sure you get a good meal in your system before you try to tackle the 16 breweries at the Beer Battle. You've got to have a solid foundation in order to take full advantage of the offerings.
Track Your Beers
Whether you're using the UnTapped app to "check-in" with the beers you've sampled or if you just want to remember which ones you liked...make sure you have a system in place that won't hold up the line behind you. Step aside to take a picture or write notes down on your QC Beer Battle "Passport".
Plan Ahead for a Designated Driver
Make sure your Uber app is updated or at least make sure your mom, significant other, or next-door neighbor is willing to pick you up after the big party.
Have Fun
The best part about a beer festival is hanging out with other beer lovers. Trying different things and enjoying the experience is what it's all about!
Upcoming Craft Beer Events You Should Attend:
- May, 14 Quad Cities Beer Club at Maquoketa Brewing in Maquoketa, IA – Sign Up!
- May 16-21 – QC Craft Beer Week – Look for daily deals and events to be announced!
- May, 21 Quad Cities Beer Battle on the Belle – on the Celebration Belle Riverboat in Moline, IL – Sold Out...We'll see you there!
- May, 21 Shops with Hops – in Downtown LeClaire, IA – Limited Tickets Left
- June, 25 MoTown Craft Beer Festival – at Bass Street Landing in Downtown Moline, IL – Tickets On Sale Now
What's Tappening This Week
- Rye Pilsner and Almost A Goner DDH IPA at Rebels and Lions Brewing
- Long Kölsch Night at Radicle Effect Brewerks
- Milkshake IPA and Inconceivable White Stout at Nerdspeak Brewery
- Strawberry Blackberry Sour, Pineapple Tangerine Sour and Berry'd Treasure Pastry Sour at Contrary Brewing
- De Soto Lager and POG Fruited Sour at Bent River Brewing Company
- Toasted Fluffy Nuts Sweet Stout, Kind Rind American Pale Wheat, Alien Body Parts Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout at Great Revivalist Brew Lab
- Warrior Dog IPA, Bavarian Sun Hefeweizen and Mutterland German Pils at Crawford Brew Works
- 5ive2722 Pineapple Coconut Wheat at Five Cities Brewing
- Summer Fling Sour at Green Tree Brewery
- 52722 Hazy IPA at Adventurous Brewing
- Re-Ignition Coffee Lager at Wake Brewing
- Hop Shake Hazy IPA at Galena Brewing Company Moline Ale House
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