Independence BrewBQ and R.A.S.H. Ride Join Forces

Mark Saturday, August 24 on your calendars now. Two of the best events in Buchanan County will combine to bring you a day of beer, BBQ, bikes and bands!

The day will start with the R.A.S.H. Ride Too! bike ride departing from Riverwalk Parks in Independence and traveling a 25 mile route throughout eastern Buchanan county. Riders are invited back down to Riverwalk Parks in the afternoon to partake in delicious BBQ for purchase from our award-winning vendors. The Craft Brew Zone will open up at 3 p.m. for V.I.P. pass holders and 4 p.m. for regular pass holders. Craft Brew Zone participants will have the chance to sample from more than 100  home brews and craft brews until 7 p.m.

R.A.S.H. Ride is a non-profit annual ride that helps raise money for the Buchanan County Four Seasons Trail Association. The trail association consists of a diverse group of citizens working to develop a recreational trail system within Buchanan County which can become a component in the statewide trails of Iowa. The ride derives its name from veteran area bike teams (Rawhide Riders, Team Native, Subtle Savages and Team Fish) who have helped co-sponsor the event since its inception over 15 years ago.

The Independence BrewBQ is a one day outdoor festival featuring BBQ vendors, live music, a Craft Brew Zone, a bike ride and is a fundraiser for charity at the same time. This is the event’s 14th year and we are excited about the addition of R.A.S.H. Ride Too! Admittance into Riverwalk Parks is FREE with the opportunity to purchase delicious BBQ and brews on tap. Everyone can enjoy live music from Cedar Junction and our headliner, Crazy Delicious. Those wishing to check out the Craft Brew Zone can purchase brew tasting passes in advance or the day of the event. You must be a pass holder to enter that area of the event.

Click here to learn more about this year’s event, register for the bike ride and purchase Craft Brew Zone passes.

BrewBQ Makes $7,500 Donation to Independence Fire Department

The Independence BrewBQ is pleased to announce our donation of $7,500 to our 2018 charity partner, the Independence Fire Department.

“We rely on volunteers and our charity partner every year in order to make the Independence BrewBQ run smoothly so everyone has a great time,” stated BrewBQ board member Pete Gaumer. “We are very thankful for the support and dedication of the department not only to our event, but the work they do every day for our community.”

Mike Klendsworth (bike winner) and Blake Hayward (Independence Fire Department) with the bike prize and some brews from The Sanity Room in Independence.

Mike Klendsworth (bike winner) and Blake Hayward (Independence Fire Department) with the bike prize and some brews from The Sanity Room in Independence.

This year’s BrewBQ also featured a Bike Raffle with all raffle ticket sales benefiting the Fire Department. We would like to congratulate, Miles Klendsworth, the winner of the bike!

We are very lucky to be part of a community and surrounding area that embraces celebrations like the Independence BrewBQ. Make sure to save the date for the 14th Annual Independence BrewBQ on Saturday, August 24, 2019!

*Thank you to the Independence Bulletin Journal for sharing the large group photo of our check presentation.

2018 Craft Brew Zone Winners

Here are the results of the 2018 Independence BrewBQ Craft Brew Zone tasting awards. Thank you to all our participants!

Best Home Brew

First Place

CRAZE with their Chocolate Covered Cherry Stout by Shannon and Brian Olsson

 

 

 

 

 

Second Place

IBU #334 with Persuasion

Third Place – Tie

MADCO with Strawberry Pear Cider
IBU #334 with Dundee Pale Ale
CRAZE with Belgian Rye Single

Fourth Place – Tie

MADCO with Raspberry Blonde Ale
Cedar Rapids Brewing Society with Belgian as F*ck

Best CRAFT BEER

First Place

Second State Brewing with Schwarzbier

 

 

 

 

 

Second Place

Firetrucker with Copper Cat
August Schell with Grain Belt Blu

Third Place – Tie

Lark Brewing with Boing Double Down
Lake Time Brewing with Oreo Speedwagon
Boulevard with Rye on Rye
Pearl Street with Pop Gose
Founders with Kent Breakfast Stout
PIVO with Festina Rye Saison

2018 Craft Brew Zone Line-Up

We are getting excited about this year’s Independence BrewBQ on Saturday, August 25. We have some wonderful breweries and brew clubs that will serve up some splendid brews in the Craft Brew Zone. Check out our line-up so far and make sure to purchase your Craft Brew Zone Pass!

Brew Clubs

Breweries

A special thank you to our event partner United Beverage.

Local Favorites

The Sanity Room from Independence – serving their Sane Mary and unique craft beers

PURCHASE TICKETS