Quad Cities Launch QC Ale Trail Passport Program

Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline/East Moline, and Rock Island are a collection of cities in Iowa and Illinois that are otherwise known as the Quad Cities. The mighty Mississippi River separates these cities and states but they have much in common as a thriving metropolitan area. Craft beer is one of the many economic and recreational drivers these cities share and now, craft beer fans will have yet another reason to add a visit to this region to their summer plans as the Quad Cities Ale Trail officially kicks off just in time for the season.

Visit Quad Cities has teamed up with 12 area breweries to create the QC Ale Trail and they invite beer lovers to tour the area by brewery with their QC Ale Trail Passport in hand. Like with other brewery passports, you pay a visit, get your passport stamped, and receive prizes. Four stamps will earn participants an engraved bottle opener while twelve stamps will earn a commemorative QC Ale Trail pint glass. Passports can be obtained at any Quad Cities Visitor Center or they can be downloaded at www.qcaletrail.com.

Dave Herrell, President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, says the new initiative provides an excellent means for visitors and locals to taste the flavors of the region and discover what the area has to offer.

“Our Craft Beer industry, community, and product are strong, growing and extremely important to our Quad Cities brand and destination,” said Herrell.  “The QC Ale Trail represents a collaborative team effort to showcase our local craft beer curators, gets our Quad Citizens and Quad Visitors connected to our local brewery experience, and gives them an opportunity to raise a few pints along the way.  We are the best in the business in growing things in Iowa and Illinois and we are thrilled to launch this new program.”

Debbie Davis, a local Quad Cities craft beer expert, says the QC Ale Trail showcases the fine craft brew in the area and will benefit both breweries and consumers.

“On behalf of the local craft breweries, we are very excited for the Quad Cities to begin this new initiative,” said Davis.  “The craft brewing community and Visit Quad Cities have been working together to create the QC Ale Trail and look forward to its impact on the area.  Our brewing community is a tight knit group.  Now we have a way to collectively market our product to those who enjoy drinking great beer, whether they are local or visiting from out of town.”

Here is a quick rundown of the dozen breweries, listed in alphabetical order, that are participating in the QC Ale Trail launch:

• Baked Beer & Bread Co.
• Bent River Brewing Co.
• Big Swing Brewing Co.
• Crawford Brew Works
• Five Cities Brewing
• Front Street Brewery
• Galena Brewing Co.
• Great River Brewery
• Green Tree Brewery
• Radicle Effect Brewerks
• Rebellion Brew Haus
• Wake Brewing

Additional breweries are likely to be added in the future, but the above 12 are the ones visitors will find on the initial QC Ale Trail Passport. Great Beer Now has yet to visit the Quad Cities area, but this new initiative could quickly change things, since we love when the craft beer community comes together in this manner and since we to explore new areas and try new beers.

For more information about the QC Ale Trail and local breweries, go to www.qcaletrail.com