Crawford Brew Works, 3659 Devils Glen Rd, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722 phone: #563-332-0243   website: CrawfordBrewWorks.com/
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 3 pm - 11 pm | Friday: 3 pm - Midnight | Saturday: Noon - Midnight | Sunday: 11 am - 10 pm

Experience before you go . . .

With food in our stomachs and a new outlook on life the Hoppin' Brewery Tour continues down the road on a journey few take, but many would like to. Our next stop....Crawford Brew Works!! Now, Crawford is a unique place! Unique because not only do they brew their own beer but they sell equipment so others can do the same.

We pull up, jump out of our chariot and head to the door. Along the way a front sign selfie, a conversation with a passing married couple inquiring about our shirts and a couple of waves and nods to people giving us inquisitive looks. There's a certain level of competence, understanding and sheer dauntlessness that one must uphold when on the HBT. And since it was 10:00 pm in Bettendorf Iowa and Crawford was our 6th tour stop and for 4 - 60 year old high school buddies with a personal motto being, "Nothing good happens after 10:00 on a Friday night".....at least that was what we've been telling our kids all these years, anyhow it was real close to calling it a night. But in the front door we went.

Big, big space, tall ceiling, lots of tables and to the left was the bar, which was the direction our tired bodies took us. Place was busy and there was no room at the bar so we migrated to a hi-top rail enclosing an actual complete brewing process highlighting a lot of the equipment Crawford sells....way cool. The four of us standing and staring, mesmerized by all the stainless steel. Suddenly, behind us is an angelic voice, welcoming us and asking what we'd like to drink. We all turn and there she was, Britney, beautiful eyes and a big smile. We felt like all our troubles were gone and everything was going to be okay. Of course we ordered a flight but not before we gave Britney a HBT card and a quick overview of what, where and of course why. And I got to tell you, the "why" at 10:15 on a Friday night was getting a little murky! With the flight on its way, Brad with card in hand starts walking towards a table of eleven Pigeon Creek neighborhood girlfriends out for the night and I'm sure they were talking politics....lol! Anyhow up walks Brad and from a distance he looks like he's a big hit. Some laughing, and head nodding, even a couple sincere looks of approval. After 70 or so brewery tours I feel like Brad and I could talk to anyone or any group about the tour. Could probably do some YouTube videos or maybe a Facebook live session or who knows...why not TV? "This week on the Hoppin Brewery Tour, follow along as Brad and Clyde take you through the Crawford Brew Works, meet the owners, hear the stories and talk to some customers and of course the episode ending with the, Until next time and remember....go get'cha one"! It's a rap, take 5 and we'll get a couple promo shots for the billboards. Ain't it great to daydream!

Flight arrives with some of Crawford's best. Pedal Your Ass off - Porter (8.6%, 16 IBU); Get Off My Lawn - IPA (7.2%, 62 IBU); Bavarian Sun - Hefeweizen (4.8%, 17 IBU); CRye Havoc Red Rye - IPA (7.5%, 57 IBU) and bringing up the rear we have Saison Du Crawford - Farmhouse Ale (6.7%, 19 IBU). Crawford's beers were established, complex and enjoyable!

Check these guys out and give their beers a ride around the block. Also take a close look at the Crawford brewing equipment, all made in the Rock Island/Moline area....got to luv that! Keep on keeping on guys and Britney congratulations on your recent marriage!! One crazy tidbit.....between the four of us we have around 125 years of marriage bliss...yeah buddy!!!

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

Go get'cha one!!