Brews of the Quad Cities

Savor the flavors of the craft beer movement with a visit to the Quad Cities, which include Bettendorf and Davenport in Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline in Illinois. From the rise and fall of prohibition to the steady comeback of the all-mighty local brewery, the Quad Cities have experienced every extreme of the nation’s history with beer. With some of the region’s best-known breweries dating as far back as the mid-1850s, here’s where to go to find the best craft brews near the Cambria Hotel Davenport Quad Cities.

Located just 3 miles from the Cambria Hotel Davenport Quad Cities are two great breweries, which both opened in 2018. Crawford Brew Works prides itself on being a visitor-friendly microbrewery and taproom. The brewery is located on a bicycle path, has a spacious outdoor patio and offers a wide variety of beers, including Porters, IPAs, Pale Ales and Pilsners. Five Cities Brewing crafts “aromatic beer for the adventurous spirit.” They've even named one of their concoctions after their beloved dog, Henry. You can order food from their neighbor, Crust Pizzeria, and in addition to their beers, they also serve high-end liquor and wine.

As the largest municipality of the Quad Cities, it’s no surprise Davenport is home to some of the most acclaimed breweries in the area. There's one worth the hype: Granite City Brewery. Granite City opened in 1999 and has since won national awards for Best Restaurant, Best Brunch, Best Patio, Best Burger and, of course, Best Beer. If you visit the Quad Cities frequently and love their beer, they offer a loyalty program that gets you deals and discounts every time you purchase a brew.

Since its revitalization in the mid-90s, Moline has become a hub for craft beer. Bent River Brewing is south of the Mississippi River, and its roots stretch back to 1993 when its founders opened the downtown Moline location. Today, Bent River is in a new brew pub not far from the original storefront, featuring a restaurant and outdoor patio. The highlight is the Instagram-worthy collection of polished copper kettles that stand proudly behind the bar. If you like local beer, street tacos and brew snacks, Rebellion Brew Haus should be one of your first stops. Along with unique events like “Irish You Were Beer” and the “Bricktober Pub Crawl,” the friendly locale serves 24 craft beers on tap, made either in house or by local brewers. Be sure to check out their barrel-aged beer project, which features beers aged between 2 to 5 years.

Over the years, Rock Island has become a major destination for delicious beer. RIBCO (Rock Island Brewing Company) stretches along the south side of the Mississippi River and claims to have the largest selection of craft and micro brews in the area. With 14 beers on tap, 67 bottles and 66 cans on their craft beer menu along with a selection of live music events to choose from, you’ll have no problem finding a beer (and entertainment) to fit your taste. Wake Brewing is a tried and true metal bar serving premium homemade craft beers. Started in 2017 by two brothers who love distinct, off-the-cuff flavors, their brews are "Riffed Infused," which they describe on their Twitter page as a “sonic overdose of only the finest of distorted tones.” This adds to their beer formula’s heaviness. There’s also indoor and outdoor seating and an eclectic music calendar, making this location a solid place to hang out with a savory brew.

With so many craft breweries to choose from, you’ll be relieved to know you don’t have to go far to treat yourself to a cold pint. Simply make your way to the onsite bar and bistro at the Cambria Hotel Davenport Quad Cities, where a premium menu of select local beers awaits, including featured beers from Five Cities Brewery and Crawford Brew Works. Just ask our friendly bartenders for a suggestion—they’ll be happy to lead the way to a flavorsome local craft beer that’s right for you.