Quad Cities (IA/IL), May 12, 2025 - The Quad Cities will raise a glass to the region’s thriving craft beer scene during QC Craft Beer Week, returning May 23–30, 2025. Timed to coincide with Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer travel season, this weeklong celebration showcases local breweries, new collaborations and the continued evolution of the QC Ale Trail.

The festivities kick off on Friday, May 23, from 4-7 p.m. at Bent River Brewing Co. in downtown Moline, where a special tapping of the QC Ale Trail Ale will be held. Brewed in partnership with Bent River Brewing Co., this 5% ABV American Wheat Ale is a refreshing, citrus-forward summer beer inspired by Midwest favorites like Bell’s Oberon. Guests who purchase a pint of Ale Trail Ale during QC Craft Beer Week will receive a free commemorative pint glass while supplies last.

“QC Craft Beer Week is a great reminder of the passion and creativity within our regional brewing community,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “The QC Ale Trail and this week-long celebration continue to build momentum by spotlighting the people and places that make our beer culture so special. We’re proud to raise a glass to that.”

QC Ale Trail
Established in 2019 through a partnership between Visit Quad Cities and regional craft breweries, the QC Ale Trail is an immersive self-guided tour spanning both sides of the Mississippi River that showcases the vibrant craft brewery scene. Participants can check in at participating breweries with a QC Ale Trail mobile pass to receive free prizes from Visit Quad Cities while enjoying local brews and meeting fellow craft beer fans. 

Throughout the week, breweries are encouraged to host special tappings, beer releases, and promotions. Visit Quad Cities will also share giveaways, feature brewery spotlights, and post real-time updates on @VisitQuadCities social media and within the QC Ale Trail Facebook group.

This year’s celebration follows American Craft Beer Week, Iowa Craft Beer Week, and Illinois Craft Beer Week - extending the national and statewide momentum into Memorial Day weekend. The timing allows for continued engagement from locals and visitors while tapping into increased foot traffic and seasonal travel across the region.

Additional event announcements and participating brewery promotions will be shared in the days leading up to QC Craft Beer Week.

Mugz Homebrew Collaborations
QC Craft Beer Week was created in 2011 by Mugz, a local home brewing club. Bryan Schmid, President of Mugz says the annual event is a great opportunity for homebrewers and professional brewers to bounce ideas off each other and try something outside their comfort zone. “It's exciting to see the variety that everyone comes up with and have all those ideas on tap at once.” 
Notable brew collaborations for 2025 include a strawberry wheat ale by Mugz member Bob Stonw and Adventurous Brewing, as well as a Vienna Lager by Bryan Schmid and Stompbox Brewing.

Local Brewing History
The Quad Cities' brewing history began in 1847 with Rock Island's Littig and Co., followed by two others. By 1893, they merged into The Rock Island Brewing Co. Davenport saw its first brewery, The City Brewery, in 1850, followed by The Davenport Malting Co. in 1894 through a merger. Prohibition hit Iowa in 1916 and Rock Island in 1918, halting brewing until 1933. After nearly forty years, Front Street Brewery revived the scene in 1992, paving the way for more local craft breweries