Wake Brewing

 

 

Other BAs have reviewed the specifics of this brewery well already. I'll note that I visited twice over the weekend and one evening the music was of volume enough to have a conversation; the other it was not (unless you enjoy speak-yelling). Each time I visited, the brewery/bar was clean and enjoyable to be in. At times I was reminded of being in a slightly more upscale and industrial-chic version of the Three Floyds old taproom/restaurant.

When I stopped by, they had everything from a lower ABV lager and saison to higher ABV stout and IPA(s) on tap, including a barrel aged option. There was lots to consider, and their online tap menu was up-to-date.

I appreciate that, as emerge077 noted, the bartender was willing to do a half pour of their beers, as this allowed me to enjoy a larger number of their beers during my visit.

Of the three I visited, it's definitely the best brewery in the Rock Island/Moline area. I plan to visit here again whenever I'm in the vicinity.

 

Brick building in the middle of a corner parking lot...so plenty of parking, Inside its on the small side, with large windows and a moderate amount of tables and seating, smaller bar towards the rear as you enter. HEAVY METEL themed everything at this place. The music, the "decor", the beer names, the employees, the crowd...everything. Not my thing, but the beer is excellent, on tap and in a bunch of tall cans to go...if you like juiced up haze bombs and imperial stouts (like me) this is your place. These guys are pumping out some of the best brews in the area, making this place well worth a visit if in the QC area...if your thing is not Heavy Metal (like me) still very well worth a visit to get their quality brews in tall cans to go.

 

 

In a parking lot, by itself. The place rating could easily sway wildly. If you cannot stomach recordings of slow, growly sung? lyrics, in a doom metal style, you may rate the place, below a 3, just get beer to go, the beer is some of the best in the area. If you are an opened minded rock music fan, but don't listen to this genre of heavy metal, like me, it is something rarely, if ever listened to and makes one respond with a "hmmm, thats's different", you may give the place rating, somewhere from 3-4. If you really like slow, dirgy metal, your place rating would be 4+, regardless of the beer. I like heavy metal in general, but haven't been listening to it much since the 1980's, and didn't get into this particular sub-genre of metal music, so it's a fresh, novelty for me, if heard now days, which is nearly never. Back to the establishment at hand. This is a small and intimate environment, and if the conversation is picking up, between the staff and customers, they will turn the music volume down, a notch or two, to facilitate said conversation. The decor is fairly spare and modern, with some whimsical heavy metal knick-knacks, behind the bar, that will get at least a grin from anyone whom is familiar with heavy metal history. The beer is anywhere from quite good to very good. This proves that heavy metal music is beneficial to any fans of fine beers, because in the brew brother's mission statement, the beer making is riff inspired, and electric guitar riffs are the foundation, on which the structure of heavy metal is built. If you are in the Quad Cities area, try their beer.

It's all about the beer here. (And it's good!) Heavy metal themed. Even have a record night, where patrons can bring in their own vinyl to be spun. Has a large parking lot, where on weekends there's usually a food truck.

Had the reignition coffee lager, outstanding. Never seen or drank a coffee flavored beer that wasn't a stout before. Beer was outstanding.

This brewery is the class of the Quad Cities Area. Metal music in a rustic/industrial bar. Located just down the street from Augustana College. Great beer and highly knowledgeable bt's.

Do not go alone, this bar has no TV's. The bartender was nice and informative. The beers I tried were pretty good nothing to write home about. They do not do flights but will give samples. Reasonably priced. I would not stop here for an on the way home beer it is definitely a place to go hang out.

2021:
Third time stopping here, it's an essential beer destination in the Quad Cities. They pivoted to more to-go sales and canned beers in 2020, as well as expanding the patio and adding food trucks outside. Tasty, clean, enjoyable beers as usual. You don't have to be a metal fan to enjoy your time here, and it's not always blasting 24-7, like Kuma's for instance.

2018:
This was a highlight on a recent trip to the Quad Cities, one of the more promising new places to open here since my last visit a few years ago. Wake Brewing opened it's doors in late 2017, by two homebrewing brothers that also happen to be musicians.

The corner building is mid-sized with plenty of parking, and a small outdoor patio in front. Located near Bent River's production brewery and taproom, but otherwise it's not really a bustling area. Brewery is visible through a side garage door around back.

Inside the vibe was very cool, somewhat minimal with an L-shaped bar front and center, and tables off to the sides. Chill music on a Sunday afternoon. Lots of natural light coming in the front. The bar was comfortable with a nice flat rail and smooth wood bar top. Unique lighting that looked like mechanical tentacles, spindly black wire caged edison bulbs hung from cords snaking out from a central point high above the bar. Framed art behind the bar with pops of wild neon color by the artist Boss Dog, who also did a t-shirt for the brewery. Cool framed photos of live bands (Sleep) and speaker stacks were interesting as well. If you have to watch TV, maybe try a sports bar instead. Many brewery taprooms are TV free, and that's a good thing.

We happened to meet the owner Jason at the bar, who was a very nice guy and full of great info. He also turned out to be the beer buyer and show booker at Ribco, and had singlehandedly put together the show we were in town to see: Spectral Voice, Primitive Man, & Aseethe. Pretty cool coincidence. Hats off to this guy, doing great things for the local beer & music scenes.

The house beers were very solid, and covered a range of styles. Pour sizes were versatile, you could get a taste, sample glass, half pour, or full pour. No "flights" in a traditional sense, but you can easily try all the beers in sampler form if so inclined. Highlights for me were the raspberry milk stout, porter, and hazy IIPA, there were about 10 total on tap. A few guest beers also available. For a new brewery that hasn't been open 6 months, they've cranked through almost 2 dozen beers already. Tom the bartender was super nice and really on top of things, providing samples and helpful beer info.

This was a very unique place making some nice beers. I'll return whenever i'm back in the Quad Cities.