Bent River Brewing Company - Steamboat IPA

This IPA from Bent River presents quite nicely in the glass, pouring a rich medium amber with copper highlights and good head retention. On the nose, look for a bit of caramel malt as an undercurrent, topped by inviting citric, floral, and fruity hop aromas, with a touch of spice. Those hops come through with plenty of bitterness in the flavor department, balanced nicely by a backbone of mildly toasty caramel malt. Hops offer citrus and maybe even a bit of woodiness, along with some characteristic Citra tropical notes akin to mango and pineapple. We found it on the full side of medium-bodied, with a big, tasty flavor profile perfect for enjoying on its own or in the company of food. Spicy and aromatic Vietnamese or Thai dishes are a good call. Cheers!

Starting his own microbrewery had always been a dream of Tim Koster, owner of Koski Home Brew Fixens in the Historic District of Moline, IL. One day in 1996, homebrewer and Koski customer Darron Morris asked Tim what it would take to start up a microbrewery. The two summoned the courage to turn their dreams into reality, and Bent River Brewing Company was born in 1997. With the help of several investors, they were able to purchase the remainder of the 1922 Italian Renaissance-style building that housed the homebrew store, and then transform it into a brewpub. The company received an award for their renovation of the building by the Moline Preservation Society. The brewpub features a full menu and plenty of beers on tap, and remains a popular watering hole for the local fans of good craft beer.

In 2012, Bent River Brewing Company added a second location in order to address their need for increased production capacity. Located in Rock Island, this new package brewery houses a new bottling line and shipping center, allowing the company to efficiently brew and distribute their beer throughout the area. The location also features a tasting room where you can sample any of Bent River's several year-round beers as well as their rotating seasonals. For more information, visit them at www.bentriverbrewing.com, or call 309-283-4811.