2013 Des Moines Craft Brew Fest

I went last year and it was fun. I got the VIPtickets and it was money well spent to get the extra hour of tasting in before the crowds kicked in. It was fairly well run but I have a few complaints. One the beer is served by volenteers and a lot of them had no idea what they were serving and did not have water to rinse out your glass. I think this qyear instead of selling water for 3 bucks a bottle you should get a bottle when you check in.Second was the weather it rained at the end and really put a damper on things. There were plenty of Iowa brewers there that were great and you dont get to try every day so it was fun to taste and meet the brewers.There were also alot of out of state brews as well that you can normally buy in Iowa so it was fun to try those as well you know to see if it's worth buying later. So while the beer the list may not seem like a long one there was plenty of good beers to be had.

 

Iowa has a long way to go with these events. We have more in-state breweries now which helps but often times anything outside of that you can buy off the shelf. Nothing special or extraordinary. I don't attend these things to get bottles of stuff off the store shelves. Case in point. I was fly-fishing in CO. We just happening to be driving through Longmont on our way to our cabin. As we are driving by, we see in this little park a beer festival going on. Why not, eh? Well that little fest was 10 times better than anything I've ever attended in Iowa. Almost every brewery had a beer or more that was brewed just for that festival with some regular rotation available. Maybe 30 breweries all with representation pouring. That is how you do it what a blast.

 

I agree that the problem with this event and the Cityview one is not having actual brewery employees pouring. Things are getting better at Iowa events, but having distributors (or whoever) at the booths makes it impossible to converse about beer or ask questions of the breweries.

That said, it could be an exciting year for the Des Moines Craft Brew Fest. Exile, Confluence, 515, TG. I'm definitely interested in checking it out this year.

 

I would love to touch on Brewer reps at these events. Back Pocket was one of the first booths in line I started asking the 2 guys in the booth a bunch of questions and they laughed at me? When they were laughing I said what's so funny and they told me they had no affiliation with Back Pocket? Come on its a 2 hour drive and you can't send some one? The brew pub from CR did ( forget there name) but he was knowledgeable and friendly and represented the brand well. Same with Peace tree who rolled out some BA goodies for the event while no one else did this. I also want to give a shout out to O'Fallon they had a rep there and gave me a free pint glass when I told him I loved there beers. ( total unexpected) So if your comming to the craft beer fest this year send your people and meet your fans! We can learn a lot from each other and make Iowa beer that much better!

 

I volunteered as a pourer at the very first Des Moines Brewfest, back when it was in the El Bait Shop parking lot. One of the most fun afternoons I've ever had...even if I was stuck slinging Tecate, Dos Equis and Red Stripe...

That being said...I haven't been to one in 3 years, and I'm a little sad to hear that it still hasn't evolved into something as great as it could be...

 

Went last year with being new to the craft beer scene and thought it was worthwhile. This year, with more experience, I would expect more from a beerfest looking back. I'll probably go again, if only to check out what TG brings. Like others have said, hopefully one of the other Iowa breweries will bring something unique, or at least not available in stores.

 

I was there and it was the night of my bachelor party what a great time! it was so small then and there was hardly anyone there!

 

Since we have had enough beer we have poured at the event and it is a blast. TGB has two memberships in the guild because we think it is a great organization with potential to grow our rights as Iowa Brewers.

Come to the fest! Meet the Hop Patrol! You will not be disappointed!

Cheers!

Clark
Toppling Goliath

 

This is the second year in a row that the Des Moines Craft Brew Fest and the St. Paul Summer Beer Fest are on the same day! Now I have to make a decision, and I don't like doing that. St. Paul is bigger and Surly will be there, but I have been to both DM fests so far and Toppling Goliath will be there...

 

According to Iowa Beer on FB, the Craft Beer Fest will be June 22nd this year.
Their web site still says the 15th, but supposedly their webmaster is out of town.

 

I'm going to the Iowa fest this year. St Paul was a fun experience though! It is nice work paid for the travel and hotel

 

Yep, looking forward to this one too.

 

Got my ticket today. Can't wait!

 

yeah, that brewer from Third Base is pretty cool

 

I don't suppose there's a list anywhere of what breweries are coming to this?

 

According to their FB page they will post it today!