A Quad Cities brewer competed over the weekend at the Illinois State Fair. Bent River Brewing Company, based in Rock Island and Moline, was one of 20 craft brewers from around the state that competed Friday through Sunday to become the state's Official Bicentennial Craft Beer.
General Manager Nick Bowes says his entry in the contest was "Daytrotter Pale Horse Pale Ale," something he just started brewing this year for the Daytrotter recording studio in Davenport.
"The idea is it features a couple of lesser-known hops. It has one that gives you some tropical fruit flavors, and a German hop that features some strawberry and honeydew melon flavors."
The winner was the Hand of Fate Brewing Company, from Petersburg.
Bowes says one of the reasons Bent River did not win was a shipping mixup meant his entry was only available for two days of the three-day competition. But he's still glad to have been invited and taken part - because it was great advertising for Bent River, and he got to sample the entries from the other contestants.
He'd happily go again next year if a craft beer competition is held again.
The winner will be part of Illinois' bicentennial celebration next year.