Cedar Rapids residents tune into USS Iowa Christening on Saturday

Cedar Rapids — Big grove brewery was on hand Saturday morning in Connecticut for the USS Iowa Christening Celebration.

They collaborated with the Outer Light Brewing company to develop a new beer, a cream ale made with corn, in support of the new Virginia-Class Submarine.

The new brew was shared with navy sailors and submariners on Friday night, it should be available in Iowa sometime next year.

There was plenty of excitement with viewing parties happening across the state, Iowa’s News Now caught up with one of them in Cedar Rapids at the Freedom Foundation on Saturday morning.

Veterans and civilians alike gathered to watch the christening, which was live streamed on the internet.

Iowa’s News Now spoke with Jim Neal, Veterans Advocate at the Freedom Foundation, about is reaction to the USS Iowa’s christening.

“I’m very proud number one that we were able to stream it here at the Freedom Foundation,” said Neal. “I am proud to see the turn out of the gentlemen and the ladies that came in to watch the christening and be part of it, and it just makes me feel not only proud to have served in the Navy, but also proud to be an American.”

There are three naval vessels that have carried Iowa’s name, but, it will be the submarine to bear the state’s name.

All three of the previous vessels were battleships.