BENT RIVER BREWING COMPANY HISTORY
Bent River Brewing Company was conceived by Tim Koster of Koski Home Brew Fixen's Ltd. April 1993, Koski Home Brew Fixen's, opened its storefront in downtown Moline. In the fall of 1996, the Bent River bar opened to the public without brewing equipment in that location. 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 Krogmen, joined the team to expand and protect our brewing traditions and transform the Moline location into a fully-operational, top-notch brew pub--complete with a full bar, big outdoor patio, and restaurant that serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
Located in the heart of the National Registered Historic District of Moline, Illinois, this turn-of-the-century building—with its decorative stone arches—is a leader in the rejuvenation campaign spearheaded by the Moline Centre Main Street organization. To perpetuate the restorative visions of the Moline community, the brew pub's facade was renovated to enhance its brick—styled after the Italian Renaissance—while retaining its handsome, architectural aesthetics and structural integrity. A dropped-bracketed cornice completes the facade's unique features.
The Rock Island Brewery, Bar, Special Events Room and Distribution Center opened its doors in spring of 2012 to meet the demand of Bent River Brewing Co.'s explosive fan base and retail accounts. With a brand new fermentation system and bottling line, Bent River quickly expanded beyond its Mississippi River Valley roots and can be found in stores, bars and restaurants across Illinois, Iowa and Missouri.
With the help of many determined investors, and the dedication of Koster and the Bent River Brewing Co. Crew, the dream became a reality. Under the supervision of General Managers Nick Bowes and Steve Ratcliff, Bent River annually produces nearly 10,000 barrels of handcrafted beer. Attention to detail yields yearly accolades and awards at festivals and brew competitions locally and throughout the Midwest--including a bronze medal at the world-renowned Great American Brew Fest (GABF) in 2007 for our Mississippi Blonde.
Within walking distance of the Tax Slayer Center and the John Deere Pavilion in downtown Moline, Bent River Brewing Co.'s Moline Brew Pub is a popular destination for the best pub fare, exciting beer dinners, and the best beer garden in the Quad Cities metro area.
But delicious food and great brews aren’t the only things in ready supply for our fans: Brewery tours, year-round special events, full-service catering and live music at our Rock Island location complete the Bent River Brewing Co. experience. For any catering or specials events questions, please email our Coordinator, Kim Richardson: kim@bentriverbrewing.com. For any live music inquiries or bookings, email info@bentriverbrewing.com.