Front Street Brewery, 208 E. River Dr. Davenport, IA, 52801 phone: #563-322-1569   website: FrontStreetBrew.com/
Hours: Sunday - Thursday: 11 AM - 10:30 PM Friday & Saturday: 11 AM - 11:30 PM

Experience before you go . . .

Brad and I decided a couple three weeks ago that we were going on a Hoppin' Brewery Tour Road Trip to the Quad Cities (Rock Island, Davenport, Bettendorf & Moline) to visit a couple high school buds....Dan & Bruce. The four of us graduated in 1976 from James Madison Memorial High School and all of us recently turned 60 year olds.....I know it's old! The four of us assembled at Dan's house around 4:00 and we hit the road, Dan driving, Brad riding shotgun and Bruce and I holding down the fort in the back seat.....2016 Ford 3/4 ton, extended cab.....perfect!

Now there's 40 years of water under the bridge since Brad and I have really talked with these guys. I hung out more with Dan and Bruce was our class VP so immediately the ground rules were set......what's discussed on the HBT, stays on the HBT except of course the heavy dose of shenanigans!

First stop, Front Street Brewery on River Drive located in a century-old brick and wood warehouse with an outdoor beer garden. It's the oldest brew pub in the state of Iowa, been around since 1992. First of many front sign selfies, a little awkward, a couple pulls, and a push and a, you here and you over there....but in true Hoppin brewery tour fashion, I take the shot and we head for the front door. As we walk in all heads turn for a quick glance or a long stare, all of us wearing bright blue polos.....is it a bowling team, a computer repair company or a group of flooring salesmen? Front and center and at the corner of the bar are 4 empty stools, we all grab a stool and from behind the bar Cassidy gives us a warm welcome and a what'cha drinking. Brad & I both have HBT cards out and Brad gives the little diddy loud & proud enough for all to hear and we start ordering flights. Since Dan is the DD, and I'm a lightweight we decide to split flights throughout the evening. The flight arrives starting with the Davenport Gold - American Ale (5.4%, 15 IBU) sweet, corn like aroma and a crisp, clean finish. Next in line was the Cherry Bomb Blonde (5.4%, 15 IBU) light hybrid with mild sweet malt and a subtle fruitiness courtesy of the cherry....very refreshing and drinkable. We move down the paddle to the Weiz Guy - German Wheat (6.2%, 15 IBU) refreshingly sweet and smooth featuring a citrusy, tart aroma with significant notes of banana and clove.....Prost! Next we have the Raging River - American IPA (7.0%, 60 IBU) very balanced with earthy, slightly fruity hop aroma....yum! Last we have the Vanilla Porter (6.4%, 30 IBU) highly roasted barley with organic Madagascar vanilla, layers of caramel, toffee and coffee. Brad's working on a pint of Cherry Bomb Blonde and Bruce is mostly a cocktail kinda guy (Brady Old Fashion Sweet - Wisconsin Style) but he's helping sipping on the flight. The conversation is effortless, insightful, sometime shocking and I gotta tell ya, just plain fun!!

To our right we have Ryan, retired after 20 years with the army. Says he's from Grand Island, Nebraska, my older brother's wife is from Grand Island, Nebraska. Come to find out Ryan had 5 brothers all with names that began with an "R".....Rodney, Randy, Rob, Ron, Richard and Ryan was the youngest, mom was Ramona and dad was Richard. Large farming family and Ryan said whenever his Dad needed more help on the farm, they'd have another baby....smart man! Ryan was a great guy and if we'd had room we'd brought him along.

Front Street has a good vibe, good beer and it's ironic that the oldest brew pub in Iowa was our first stop. When in the Quad Cities definitely check out Front Street and get'cha a pint of the Cherry Bomb Blonde.....you'll be glad you did.

Until next time and remember.........

Go get'cha one!!