This year marks the 3rd annual Quad Cities Craft Beer Week (QCCBW), held May 2-9, 2015. A group of local residents have been working together for the past several months to plan and organize events each night of the week in celebration of all things craft in the area.

This year features some similar events to last year, with some new ones thrown in that focus more on education.

Representatives from MUGZ and REFs (local home brew clubs) as well as employees from local breweries and craft beer bars have come up with a unique line up for the week:

Saturday, May 2 – 9am – Big Brew Day

QCCBW kicks off with the American Homebrewers Association’s Big Brew Day located in the parking lot next to Blue Cat Brew Pub in Rock Island. Several home brewers will set up their equipment and provide brew demonstrations beginning at 9am. Brewers celebrate this day all across the nation and the day concludes with the National Toast at Noon. Later on, in the evening, Blue Cat will also tap a specialty beer at 5pm.

 Sunday, May 3 – 4pm – The Dark Side: Coffees and Stouts

On Sunday, there will be a class given at Cool Beanz in Rock Island, “The Dark Side: Coffee and Stouts” hosted by owner Annette Zapolis and Me(!), aka, QCAlegirl, is an hour-long tasting and seminar that will discuss the histories and similarities of coffee and stouts.

Monday, May 4 – 4-7 pm – Tap Takeover/Brew Demonstration

Monday brings a brewing demonstration and Firestone Walker tap takeover at O’Keefe’s from 4-7 pm in downtown Moline. Home brew supply shop owner, Brian Traughber of UBrew will set up his rig in the pavilion behind O’Keefe’s and hand out samples while inside some rare craft beers will be available for purchase.

Tuesday, May 5 – 4-7 pm – Wine and Beer Making Demo

Down in the Village of East of Davenport, the new business, Brew, will partner with Camp McClellan Cellars to put on a wine making and brew demonstration while samples of wine and mead will be handed out from 4-7 pm.

Wednesday, May 6 – 7pm – Funk n’ Sour Tapping

At 7pm, the gentlemen of RIBCO in The District of Rock Island will unearth some of their sours and rare treats from the cellar in celebration of craft beer’s fastest growing style and there will be live music at 9pm.

Thursday, May 7 – 6pm –  Quad Cities Tap Takeover

Like last year, Radicle Effect Brewerks in Rock Island returns with a Quad Cities tap takeover, featuring brews from the local breweries of our area, tapping at 6pm. Meet a few of the local brewers while enjoying some of their tasty wares.

Friday, May 8th – 7pm – Dogfish Tap Takeover

Steel Head Tavern in downtown Moline will host a Dogfish Head tap takeover, starting at 7 pm. Try year-round and seasonal releases from one of the country’s favorite craft breweries and stay for the live music!

Saturday, May 9 – 5-9 pm – Collaboration Tapping

Bent River Rock Island hosts the Collaboration Brew Tap Party to conclude the week. The Bent River brewers will tap a special beer crafted with members from the local home brew clubs, an India Pale Lager. Bent River will also have a special firkin of the beer, brewery tours will be available, and El Mariachi is serving food.

After Party – May 9 – 9 pm – Close

Kavanaugh’s Hilltop in Rock Island is hosting the Quad Cities Craft Beer Week After Party featuring the Funktastic Five Live!

Come and support your community and learn something new about handcrafted beverages and the people that make and sell them. Connect with the events and learn more by visiting the Quad Cities Craft Beer Week website – www.qcbeerweek.com, like QCBeer Week on Facebook, and follow on Twitter @qcbeerweek.