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Iowa Beer

Confluence Brewing Company Announces New Core Beer

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DES MOINES, Iowa— Confluence Brewing Company, known for their two gold medals at World Beer Cup this year, is excited to announce a new core beer. Yard Yacht, a Session Hazy IPA, is making waves starting Friday August 18th, and with its low ABV of 4.5%, you can crush these any time of the year. Confluence Brewing hasn’t had a new year-round core beer in five years, resulting in a much-anticipated arrival of something new to their core lineup. The brewery focused on a series of test batches the past year and a half and found the perfect blend, thus creating Yard Yacht.

This beer is brewed for the Tuesdays, the workdays, the hum-drum doldrums of a midweek evening. Yard Yachting is about escaping the mundane and seizing on the opportunity to make every day a little special. With the power of your imagination, and the help of some likeminded adventurers, a pedestrian after work hang can easily transform into a tropical vacation. Born from that spirit, Yard Yacht is the perfect beer for your weeknight getaway. Bursting with big bright flavors of citrus, berries and exotic fruits, but with an ABV low enough that you can enjoy a few without compromising tomorrow, it’s the perfect companion for whatever adventures you can dream up. Stop waiting for the weekend and set sail tonight for a break from the ordinary!

Yard Yacht is available on draft and 4-packs. Where good things come together.

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Big Grove Celebrates RAGBRAI 50th Anniversary with Statewide “Gold Can Giveaway”

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IOWA CITY, Iowa— Big Grove Brewery, the official brewery of RAGBRAI and the maker of Iowa’s top-selling hazy IPA Easy Eddy, is commemorating the 50th and golden anniversary of the oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle ride in the world, by releasing specialty packs and golden cans of Easy Eddy throughout the state. These gold cans, if found by a lucky fan, can win them a golden jersey to wear on the great bicycle ride across Iowa.

“My favorite movie growing up was ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’,” said Matt Phippen, RAGBRAI ride director. “This being our golden anniversary we wanted to find new ways to partner with Big Grove and developed the golden can idea based on the movie. We are looking forward to seeing the excitement people have finding their golden cans in Easy Eddy 12-packs this spring.”

With 12-packs already hitting stores, Big Grove and RAGBRAI are offering 150 prizes to encourage people to get out there and enjoy the ride on July 22-29th; whose registration is still open. The first 100 consumers to find a single Easy Eddy gold can tucked inside specially marked 12-packs will win a custom edition RAGBRAI golden jersey, and the remaining 50 will receive Big Grove swag. Check shelves for Easy Eddy 12-packs featuring the RAGBRAI L logo this month.

“This is one of the coolest promotions we’ve ever done, and made better as it was a collaborative effort with RAGBRAI,” said Matt Swift, Big Grove’s CEO. “As always, Big Grove is proudly rooted in Iowa and as an iconic Iowa event, we are happy to support RAGBRAI. We can’t wait for these packs to be out in the market and we’re excited for our fans as we get closer to RAGBRAI this summer.”

Since 2019, Big Grove has been the official brewery of RAGBRAI, supporting the route with signs, high-fives, and a special beer release called Tailwind Golden Ale. “Overnight towns get their town name printed around the top of the Tailwind can,” noted Swift. “It makes it a collector’s item for the riders and Iowa towns.” Tailwind Golden Ale is releasing in early May in a custom metallic gold color to go along with the theme for the ride.

About Big Grove Brewery

Big Grove Brewery is among the top craft beer producers in Iowa and ranks in the top 3% for barrel production nationally. In 2013, the brewery got its start as a 3.5-barrel brewhouse in Solon, Iowa, and focused on freshly made craft beer and elevated pub cuisine. Four years later, the brewery opened a 28,000-square-foot production facility, serving as an anchor for the Iowa City Riverfront Crossings redevelopment project. Big Grove has received multiple craft brewing medals including a gold medal for Easy Eddy, its flagship Hazy IPA. For “Gold Can Giveaway” no purchase is necessary to participate in the sweepstakes. To enter, fans can send in a postcard labeled ‘RAGBRAI 50’ with their name and return address to Big Grove Brewery, 1225 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City, IA before 6/16/23.

About RAGBRAI

RAGBRAI is the oldest, largest, and longest recreational touring bicycle ride in the world. Started in 1973 by Des Moines Register reporters John Karras and Donald Kaul, RAGBRAI is a seven-day bicycle tour that goes from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River with stops in overnight towns along the way. In 2023, RAGBRAI celebrates its 50th ride across Iowa.

Let’s Ride!

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Big Grove Brewery, Toppling Goliath, and Lua Brewing Collaborate on Project Hop Fisch IV

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IOWA – Beer lovers, rejoice! The release of Project Hop Fisch IV is just around the corner, and it promises to be one of the most exceptional beers you’ve ever tasted. This year’s special collaboration project features three of the most innovative and respected craft breweries in Iowa: Big Grove Brewery, Toppling Goliath Brewing Co., and Lua Brewing.

Project Hop Fisch IV is a double hazy IPA featuring a combination of new and experimental hops from around the world. The beer will be available in early April for purchase on draft and in 16 oz. cans exclusively at the three brewery taprooms located in Iowa.

But Project Hop Fisch is more than just a collaboration between talented brewers. It’s a movement that supports a worthy cause: protecting Iowa’s most valuable resource, water. Each batch of Hop Fisch supports the effort to clean and protect Iowa’s waterways. And this year, all three breweries are donating to Project A.W.A.R.E, a non-profit organization dedicated to cleaning up Iowa’s waterways. So by enjoying this beer, you’re not just indulging in a delicious brew, you’re also supporting an important cause.

“Breweries rely on water quality to make beer. We need to do more whether it’s supporting water causes or employees,” said Scott Selix, Co-Founder of Lua. “We (as breweries) need to make sure to not use more water, and try to use less.”

“We’re excited to collaborate with Project A.W.A.R,E. this year and make a difference in our community by cleaning up Iowa’s waterways,” said Matt Swift, CEO at Big Grove Brewery. “We are not just producing a delicious beer, but we are also contributing to the greater good.”

Craft beer enthusiasts in Iowa and beyond, mark your calendars in July 2023 to help clean up Iowa’s rivers! This unique collaboration project brings together some of the best brewing talent in Iowa to create exceptional beer while also supporting a great cause and inviting the community to join! For more details on how to donate or get involved, check out Project A.W.A.R.E’s website, https://www.iowaprojectaware.org/.

Water is the driving force for all nature, water is also the driving force of all beer. Water quality is inherent in beer quality. You cannot have the latter without the former. So go ahead, have another one and do your part to support clean water in Iowa!

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Big Grove Brewery is Brewing Up Sunshine with Newest Crushable Release

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IOWA CITY, Iowa – Big Grove announced a brand-new fruited wheat release to join their year-round beer portfolio. Now pouring in their Iowa City, Solon, and Des Moines taprooms, Citrus Surfer is loaded with real orange and lemon citrus at a crushable 4.8% ABV. Each taproom will feature citrus-inspired culinary dishes to celebrate the beer release.

A refreshing new twist on Big Grove’s past award-winning wheat beers, Citrus Surfer offers fans “significant drinkability,” according to Andy Joynt, Director of Brewing. The brewery team produced ten concept batches spanning eight months, beginning with research and development at their Solon pilot brewery before scaling to their Des Moines system as an intermediate step, ultimately crafting the beer for full-scale production at the Iowa City brewery.

“The finish and aromatics were something we focused on. We wanted pop with the right citrus flavor, plus a clean and satisfying finish, bringing you back for another sip,” remarked Joynt.

The beer is anticipated to create a big wave in Iowa, giving Blue Moon Belgian White and Leinenkugel’s Wheat drinkers a more widely available, Iowa-made alternative.

“Although Iowa is not coastal, nor is it a state known for its surfing, Citrus Surfer represents that mentality and a laid-back approach to life and the moments it brings,” said Bryan Farrell, Director of Integrated Sales & Marketing. “Iowans love to seek out new experiences and travel, especially in the winter months. We’re offering a call-to-action for fans to ‘Find Your Moment’ through trip and experience giveaways.”

Throughout 2023, Big Grove will be giving away flights, Airbnb gift cards for unique Iowa rentals, and other fun offers and experiences. Fans can enter to win flight vouchers to any destination of their choosing, redeemable at major Iowa airports (CID, DSM, DBQ, SUX, ALO). Keep an eye out for more waves of giveaways and experiences throughout the spring and summer months. To enter, go to biggrove.com/pages/find-your-moment.

Check out your favorite local beverage shop to catch the closest Citrus Surfer near you. Citrus Surfer is available on draft, six-packs, and 12-packs at a majority of retail locations across Iowa.

About Big Grove Brewery

Big Grove Brewery is among the top craft beer producers in Iowa and ranks in the top 3% for barrel production nationally. In 2013, the brewery got its start as a 3.5-barrel brewhouse in Solon, Iowa and focused on freshly made craft beer and elevated pub cuisine. Four years later, the brewery opened a 28,000 square foot production facility, serving as an anchor for the Iowa City Riverfront Crossings redevelopment project. Big Grove has received multiple craft brewing medals including a gold medal for Easy Eddy, its flagship Hazy IPA.

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