Bent River Brewing Company was conceived by Tim Koster of Koski Home Brew Fixens Ltd. April 1993, Koski Home Brew Fixens Ltd. opened its store front in downtown Moline. In the fall of 1996, the Bent River bar opened to the public without brewing equipment. Â It would be a couple years before the first keg of our American Pale Ale flowed from the beautifully-polished, Bohemian Brau Haus copper kettles.
In 2009, local restaurateur and patron of Bent River Brewing Co., Joel Krogman, joined the team to expand and protect our brewing traditions and transform the Moline location into a fully-operational, top-notch brew house, complete with a full restaurant and patio.
Located in the heart of the National Registered Historic District of Moline, this turn-of-the-century building with its decorative stone arches has become a leader in the rejuvenation campaign of the Moline Centre. To perpetuate the restorative visions of the Moline community, the brew house facade was renovated to enhance the brick building styled after the Italian Renaissance while retaining its architectural and integrity and handsome aesthetics. A dropped-bracketed cornice completes the facade's decor.
With the help of many determined investors, the dedication of Koster and the Bent River Brewing Co. Crew, the dream became a reality. Under the supervision of General Managers Nick Bowes, Steve Cogdill and Toni Finch, and Head Brewer Steve Ratcliff, Bent River Brewing Co. now produces over 10,000 barrels of award-winning beer annually. Â Attention to detail has garnered yearly awards at brew competitions throughout the Midwest, including a bronze medal at the world-renowned Great American Brew Fest in 2007 for our Mississippi Blonde.
Within walking distance of the I-Wireless Center and John Deere Commons in downtown Moline, Bent River Brewing Co. is a popular destination for the best pub fare, the best Sunday brunches and the best beer garden in the Quad Cities metro area. Â
But delicious food and great brews aren't the only things in ready supply for our fans: year-round special events and live music at our Rock Island location complete the Bent River Brewing Co. experience.Â
The Rock Island Brewery, Tasting Room and Distribution Center opened its doors in spring of 2012 to meet the demand of Bent River's explosive fan base and retail accounts. With a brand new fermentation system and bottling line, Bent River Brewing Co. quickly expanded beyond its Mississippi River Valley roots and can be found in stores, bars and restaurants across Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.
In addition to our Year-Round and Seasonal Brews, Bent River Brewing Co. has an extensive repertoire of creative, unique brews.
