5 Fall Iowa Beer Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss – Iowa Starting Line

Spending time with household and associates whereas sipping a scrumptious craft beer is enjoyable all yr spherical. However one thing in regards to the leaves altering colour, the crisp air, and understanding winter is on its manner makes celebrating beer within the fall extra particular. 

Whether or not you favor a beer, ale, or stout, heading to a beer competition to pattern new and thrilling brews and previous favorites is a good way to get out and about this autumn. Increase your pint glass to good associates and good spirits at one in every of Iowa’s fall beer festivals. 

Oktoberfest, Amana Colonies, Sept. 20 – Oct. 2

Admission: $10 for a one-day cross and $15 for a two-day cross

Oktoberfest is in full swing in lots of Iowa cities and all through the Midwest. One of the genuine Oktoberfest celebrations happens within the Amana Colonies, a group of seven villages based by German immigrants in 1855. Though Oktoberfest isn’t all about beer, the Amana Colonies are well-known for his or her beer manufacturing at Millstream Brau Haus—German for “brew home,” making beer an integral a part of the celebration. 

In 2022, Amana Colonies Oktoberfest kicks off on Friday, Sept. 30, and the Official Oktoberfest Keg Tapping Ceremony begins at 2 p.m. Don’t fear although, when you can’t make the ceremony. You’ll be able to take pleasure in some Oktoberfest beer and different Millstream brews all weekend lengthy. The competition additionally boasts reside music and video games, plus as a lot German sausage as you’ll be able to deal with together with your beer. If you happen to’re actually up for a problem, take into account getting into the brat-eating contest on Saturday, Oct. 1, after the parade that begins at 10 a.m. 

Iowa Metropolis Brewfest, Iowa Metropolis, Oct. 8

Admission: Free with out samples, $94 for Brewmaster tickets with samples

The Iowa Metropolis Brewfest is a part of the bigger Northside Oktoberfest celebration which incorporates conventional Oktoberfest leisure, video games, contests, and reside outside music. Everybody can attend the festivities on the Outside Bier Corridor, however you will need to spend $10 on a mug to buy beer and wine. 

The Brewfest begins at 11 a.m. and runs till 3 p.m. with greater than 40 distributors who’ve samples of beer to share with Brewmasters. If you’re a real beer connoisseur, the value of the $94 Brewmaster ticket is definitely worth the cash. Along with admission and UNLIMITED beer samples, your Brewmaster ticket comes with a custom-made Northside Oktoberfest glass, a $15 present card to make use of at a Northside enterprise, a customized Northside Oktoberfest baseball hat, and one free beer on the Outside Bier Corridor. The Brewfest solely sells 800 Brewmaster tickets every year, and so they all the time promote out. If you wish to go to Iowa Metropolis Brewfest, get your tickets ASAP. 

Boos & Brews, Dubuque, Oct. 21- 22

Admission: $40 Normal Admission, $50 VIP, $10 Wristband for Designated Drivers

Boos & Brews is a part of the Julien Dubuque Worldwide Movie Pageant. The competition kicks off Friday evening with a family-friendly film and reside music at Resort Julien Dubuque. The Brewfest begins at midday on Saturday and lasts till 4 p.m. at The Tappening in 5 Flags Heart. All ticket holders obtain a competition glass, however those that purchase VIP tickets get early entry at midday, whereas common admission ticket holders can’t enter The Tappening till 1 p.m. 

Your admission to The Tappening throughout Boos & Brews contains free samples from all of the breweries. Greater than 20 breweries will probably be attending, together with Iowa favorites akin to Massive Grove Brewery, Dimensional Brewing Co., Peace Tree Brewing, and River Ridge Brewing. After you pattern your favourite craft beers, you’ll be able to head out to observe the Boos & Brews Halloween Parade. 

712 Brew Fest, Sioux Metropolis, Oct. 29

Admission: $25 Normal Admission, $40 VIP

Outdated Chicago has lengthy been well-known for its World Beer Tour—patrons be a part of the membership and get credit score for every beer they struggle. As soon as they struggle 110 beers, they’ve accomplished the tour and earned their identify on the Corridor of Foam. Outdated Chicago sponsors the 2nd Annual 712 Brew Fest on the Tyson Occasions Heart in Sioux Metropolis, making it a must-do fall Iowa beer competition. 

Attendees have the possibility to pattern greater than 100 kinds of beer from native, regional, and nationwide breweries and revel in reside music. VIP ticket holders have entry to a particular VIP space and so they obtain complimentary meals. If you happen to actually wish to attend 712 Brew Fest, you might want to get tickets rapidly as a result of they promote a restricted quantity. Nonetheless, you get a $5 low cost whenever you buy tickets previous to the day of the occasion. 

Frogtown Craft Beer Pageant, Quad Cities, Nov. 26

Admission: Three-tiered pricing for VIP and Normal Admission, starting from $30 to $50

After being postponed for a number of years due to the pandemic, the Frogtown Craft Beer Pageant returns in November. If you wish to keep away from the after-Thanksgiving buying crowds and have some enjoyable with family and friends, your finest wager is the Frogtown Craft Beer Pageant. 

The competition runs from midday to 4 p.m. on the Rust Belt in East Moline, Illinois. Whereas you could find a taste that fits you, this competition does deal with fall brews like Oktoberfest, stouts, porters, and different darkish beers. The earlier you purchase your tickets, the cheaper they’re, with the perfect costs till Nov. 20. VIP ticket holders get a particular pint glass and a drawstring bag. 

by Jessica Lee
09/26/22

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