Iowa City/Cedar Rapids Bottle Sharing

Thanks for the info. No, I haven't. I've only been into the craft beer scene since earlier this year so this will be my first beer "fest" as you put it! Some other events around here have had kegs of local breweries so I was just a little confused. Still excited and I really couldn't care less if it's from a bottle or not, I just figured kegs would be easier for all. But you're right, when I think if fest, I think of reps from breweries having their best stuff.

Sidenote, there's currently a 70-80% chance of rain tomorrow afternoon :/

 

Found some more info about what's stopping Iowa breweries from pouring from a keg at festivals, from Rock Bottom Des Moines FB page:

"We are waiting on clarification of newly enforced compliance issues and some changes in regulatory opinion by IA ABD...or legislative redress with the coming session."

"It's a new look at Iowa Code Section 123.45. We have to sell beer to the festival licensee, donate that money to the charity beneficiary, which then precludes us from sampling our product or providing dispense equipment. Basically no draught beer at festivals."

Ugh.

 

Well, Northside Oktoberfest wasn't super impressive. Probably won't go next year. I'll stick with the one in Amana. I know Millstream beer isn't the most spectacular but it's at least a real festival with real employees and full pours of beer. The glasses they gave out to gen admission were misspelled (said "rew fest") but the teku glasses were right. Took us 20 minutes to even get in because it was single file, one entrance only. If you went with a non drinker and they wanted to fill up on soda fest, they had to sneak out the back of the event.

Most beers were reasonably priced, 1 or 2 tickets each pour (not bad for some that I had). Founders pulled out (probably a case) of KBS that was 4. The only beer that was 5 tickets that I tried was the only Hill Farmstead beer that was there. Not to mention though that it was a collaboration beer between them and Anchorage, Arctic Saison. When I read HF would be there, it was a little misleading as it was only one beer and probably only got it because we get Anchorage brewing here.

Anyway, I got in about 1:20 and left around 3. The rain wasn't much of a dampener so I am not sure how much that affected my experience. I don't think I would pay $25 to get in next year, (but I think some goes to charity?) but might attend if I only had to buy drink tickets and a cheap cup (these were not by any means, quality).

Anyone else go?

 

Didn't go, but, what Southampton beer(s) did they have?

 

Didn't see Southampton. It's was pretty packed.

 

I thought the rain was a huge bummer, but people seemed in good spirits. Our supplier screwed up our "brewfest" image. Not much you can do when they need 120 days of lead time to order glasses, print them, and ship the to us. The good news is that missing "b" is just more money that goes towards the heart association and the children's foundations. Pretty sure we did well over $20k for the charities, but those were just rough numbers after a crazy day.

Festivals/tastings are getting locked down by the state of Iowa. I don't think we will see much of anything going on until the new laws get changed or at least better worded. Distributors/brewers/industry people CAN'T pour beer anymore at an event like this. Hell, they can't even provide their own tap boxes which is why we had so little draft beer this year. To say we were winging it after a huge curve ball coming from the state of Iowa (to the tune of $5k per violation...) is quite an understatement. I've heard of a few long going tasting events that are cancelling because of our great state.

 

That's great to hear you made so much for charity! I personally think that part should be made more apparent, as I didn't see that until I was given the booklet.

The glasses were not a huge deal, people I met in line got a kick out if it when I pointed it out. 120 days seems outrageous! I work with a lot of vendors at my job and that just seems crazy. Did the teku glasses get made at the same vendor? Just found it odd that those were correct if they were.

Yah, the laws seem confusing and annoying. One would think that the state would prefer experienced people handling and serving beer. My buddy said he got a FULL teku glass of Black Butte XXV because the lady didnt know anything about beer (admittedly said that). I can only imagine how many others she poured like that. Hopefully some laws can be changed in the bear future.

 

The rain was a huge bummer right away. My wife and I got in around 12:30 after waiting in the long line, and then it absolutely poured on us. Tried to hunker down in some tents, but obviously so was everyone else. If it hadn't rained I think the experience would've been better. Heard a lot of conversations regarding the volunteers not knowing much about the beers they were pouring, but that didn't bother me much. Black Butte XXV was the highlight for myself.

 

I felt pretty bad that when I looked at the forecast for the day, the rain was only forecasted between the exact hours that brew fest was open! Talk about bad luck! Oh well, my little nephew had fun playing in the rain (they're from AZ, they don't get much there) but like Pepsican mentioned already, people were well spirited. The turnout was still pretty great.

 

Hey, I'm in Iowa City and would love to trade or share some beer sometime with another Iowa craft beer enthusiast. I've only just started getting really into beer over the last year or so, so I'm looking to learn more and try something new.

 

I'm in Cedar Rapids. I would be very interested in sharing good beers. I like the idea of sharing what we are tasting and learning more on beer-tasting. I get to MN, IL, an WI on a regular basis and can grab stuff from there.

 

That sounds fantastic. My sister lives in Madison and said she'd be dropping off a few beers (a few from Three Floyds, New Glarus, and a Sosue bomber that I made her buy for me from the last batch) that she would give to me when I saw her during Thanksgiving. I'd be down for a bottle share at some point in early December if you're interested.

 

Sounds great. I just got a bottle of Pliny today from my sister in San Diego! But I doubt if it will last until December!

 

Howdy folks- I live in Madison but I'll coming over to Iowa City next Friday (November 8) for an interview and would like to see if there are any local residents who are interested in grabbing a brew/trading/bottlesharing.

Otherwise, perhaps there are recommendations for good bottle shops (I am always on the lookout for good sours, plus TG bottles) or places to grab a beer in Iowa City?

 

John's Grocery, and Waterfront Hy-Vee for bottles. I assume you will take 151 out of Madison all the way to HWY 1 South to IC. If so, stop at Big Grove Brewery in Solon for beer.

 

Thanks for the info. You're right, I'll be doing Highway 151. I'll definitely hit these places up, if only to see what's available. I'm always looking out for 3F OG and any out-of-WI-distro gems.

 

Our monthly Cedar Rapids bottle share will be 11/10/13. 33 different beers last month. BM for details

 

Wish I could stay for the bottle share; got to leave town after my interview on Friday. BTW, is there any Toppling Goliath on tap in Iowa City?

 

Almost always some sort of TG on tap at Short's Burgers. http://shortsburgerandshine.com/