Big Grove Brewery Celebrates 10-Year Milestone with Weeklong Festivities

Big Grove Brewery is raising a glass to celebrate a decade of amazing experiences, fresh craft beer, and Iowa hospitality.

To commemorate the past ten years, brewers at Big Grove are crafting ten original beers, including fan favorites, Big Grove IPA, Que Será, and the beer that started it all, West Main Wheat. These small-batch beers will be released during their anniversary throughout ten days of celebrations and community events leading up to the brewery’s official anniversary over Labor Day weekend. 

Big Grove Brewery was founded in 2013 at 101 West Main Street in Solon, Iowa, by partners Doug Goettsch, Faye Swift, and Matt Swift. From day one, we have believed "you have to give people a reason to leave their living room," recalled Faye. On her business partners, "Matt and I have tremendous trust in each other, and Doug was a constant hospitality guru, that’s who he is in his bones." The trio pushed on the original concept of high-quality beer, great food, and genuine care for our community. Faye added, "The best it can be is what we want it to be. I’m a person who believes in creating opportunity, and if you can see it, you can seize it."
 
In 2017, the company opened Big Grove Brewery & Taproom with a full-scale production facility in Iowa City and now maintains a platinum green certification. The original partners continue to operate the company with additional operating partners for Iowa City, Des Moines, and a soon-to-be-open Lagerhaus-style brewery in Cedar Rapids. Still innovating a decade later, Big Grove Brewery offers beyond beer products, including spirit-based seltzers, and plans to release cannabis-infused sparkling water beverages. Big Grove beverages are available at bars, restaurants, and retailers across the entire state. 

The festivities officially kick off Saturday, August 26th, in the evening, with music from The Dip. The concert will be hosted in the yard from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Big Grove Brewery taproom at 1225 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Readers of this article can use code backyardbigshow1z to receive 25% off two tickets. The 10-year milestone party will occur on Sunday, September 3, at the original Solon Big Grove location on Main Street. The day-long Sunday Funday event will offer a street party with kids and family activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., exclusive merchandise, and a closing concert featuring Trophy Dads. 
 
The week’s event lineup includes: 
Backyard Big Show, Iowa City (Saturday, August 26, from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Big Grove Brewery & Taproom Iowa City is welcoming The Dip, Alanna Royale, and James Tutson and the Rollback to the main outdoor stage for the Backyard Big Show - a first annual backyard live music celebration. All tickets are general admission and are $45 each, and tickets can be purchased here. 
• Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
• Opening act at 5:30 p.m.
• Music until 10 p.m.
• Fireworks at 10 p.m.
• DJ Douglas keeps the after-party going after fireworks

Market After Dark, Cedar Rapids (Saturday, August 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.)
Find Big Grove at the Market After Dark event in downtown Cedar Rapids. Sponsoring this year’s main stage, located at 5th Street & 4th Avenue SE, fans can rock with the premier Twin Cities horn band, High and Mighty.
 
10 Year Fan Trivia & Special Annv. Beer Tapping, Solon (Tuesday, August 29, at 3:00 p.m.)
Trivia all-day to celebrate ten years in Solon, featuring special merchandise prizes for winners. Plus, two exclusive anniversary beer tappings at 3 p.m.

Teach Me How to Dougie, Des Moines (Wednesday, August 30, from 11:00 to 10:00 p.m.) 
Special menu item featuring a combination of Mac & Cheese with Tater Tot Casserole, a legendary Solon menu item named after Big Grove co-founder Doug Goettsch. Top it off with special beers exclusive to Des Moines. 

Throwback Thursday, Iowa City (Thursday, August 31, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.)
Wear your best Big Grove Brewery throwback gear and get entered to win a $100 raffle prize. No gear? Grab some merch from the store and get entered for other Big Grove gift card raffle prizes. 

Fryfest, Coralville (Friday, September 1, from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m.)
Find Big Grove at the FRYfest High Porch Block Party in the Beverage Garden and with custom merch and samples at the expo. The Block Party is just outside the Hyatt Exhibit Hall, with easy access to the bags area, food, and cold beverages. 

Game Watch Parties, Des Moines & Iowa City Taprooms (Saturday, September 2, time TDB)
Watch Iowa v.s. Utah State and Iowa State v.s. UNI Panthers at Big Grove Brewery taprooms. Unique game day-themed foods and anniversary beverages are planned at each location. 

10 Year Celebrations!, Solon (Sunday, September 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
It’s an all-day Labor Day weekend, Solon Sunday Funday street party with kids and family activities from 10 am-3 pm, live music, commemorative beer releases, and a closing concert hosted by the Trophy Dads, Solon’s premier party band.  All are welcome.