A Little Time and a Keyboard: Local Craft Brewery Adventure Following the Quad Cities Ale Trail

Local Craft Brewery Adventure Following the Quad Cities Ale Trail

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

                 

Local Craft Brewery Adventure Following the Quad Cities Ale Trail

Tasty Tour Through Some of the Quad Cities Microbreweries

Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Quad Cities for hosting my trip to the Quad Cities in order to share incredible experiences with my audience. Opinions are 100% my own.

Planning a few stops on the Quad Cities Ale Trail invites a fun way to explore some small businesses while on a getaway. The Quad Cities presents quite the impressive collection of local microbreweries to explore. With so many, each trip to the Quad Cities can be unique tasting bonanza!

S Sampling a microbrew at Bent River Brewing Company in Moline, Illinois.
Sampling a microbrew at Bent River Brewing Company in Moline, Illinois.

We absolutely love the novelty of trying a variety of different microbrews. When visiting a microbrewery, we often order a sampler. Then, my husband and I have fun tasting each of the brews and comparing our opinions. With the benefit of lovely spring weather, we enjoyed our samplers outside on patios. An added bonus! We visited three local microbreweries during our weekend adventure. Take a little tasting trip with us:

Quite the sampling of microbrews at Wake Brewing! Hard to choose!
Quite the sampling of microbrews at Wake Brewing! Hard to choose!

Evening Sampling Brews at Wake Brewing

On a splendid evening, we reposed for a bit at Wake Brewing in Rock Island sipping on a sampling of four microbrews. What I really love about microbreweries is that the staff  takes the time to help you choose the right brews. Additionally, they usually have something that is a little bit different. Wake also had a food truck during our visit which is always fun. We enjoyed capping off our evening at Wake!

Barbecue and Brews at Contrary Brewing Co.

I love the way Contrary Brewing Co. serves up their beer samplers!
I love the way Contrary Brewing Co. serves up their beer samplers!

After a rugged hike at Muscatine's Wildcat Den, we treated ourselves to lunch and a tasting at Contrary Brewing Co. which was nearby. We happened to visit on a special day when the menu featured barbecue. I am a wing girl -- so yum! Contrary's patio area was divine, so we thoroughly enjoyed an after repose eating barbecue while still sipping on microbrews.

Barbecue and mac and cheese during a special day at Contrary Brewing.
Barbecue and mac and cheese during a special day at Contrary Brewing.

Bent River Brewing Company

Bent River Brewing Company in Moline features a brewpub. So, we enjoyed some dinner and sampled some beer. After a few beer samples at the bar. we ended up porting our meals and a six pack back to our hotel to enjoy.

Brewpub treats at Bent River Brewing in Moline.
Brewpub treats at Bent River Brewing in Moline.

Our meal was delicious -- a pulled pork sandwich for the hubby and grilled chicken for me. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals! I don't often have french fries, so they were an incredible treat!

Kicking back with Bent River's Undercurrent IPA after a day of adventure!
Kicking back with Bent River's Undercurrent IPA after a day of adventure!

For our tasty beverage, we enjoyed Undercurrent IPA! Very refreshing while kicking back after a day exploring! We did end up bringing a few bottles of Undercurrent home for a little relaxing after our road trip!

How the Quad Cities Ale Trail Works:

Currently, there are 14 microbreweries on the Quad Cities Ale Trail. I think that is incredible and makes it easy to have a unique tasting adventure on each Quad Cities trip. Visitors are encouraged to forge their own path enjoying local micro breweries on either side of the Mississippi River. You can check into breweries along the trail either using a paper passport or a mobile passport. Completing visits to four microbreweries and completing the trail both qualify you for prizes. Fun, fun, fun! Also, watch the Quad Cities Ale Trail website for more events.

Exploring the Quad Cities Ale Trail.
Exploring the Quad Cities Ale Trail.

We had so much fun sampling brews on the Quad Cities Ale Trail! I love this way of discovering locally made brews and truly enjoying something entirely Quad Cities! We will definitely hit the trail again!

For more on our Quad Cities Getaway, visit  Art, Nature, History, Foodie Finds and Beer Blend Into A Perfect Getaway in the Quad Cities.



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