Cheers to 10 Years! Big Grove Brewery’s Journey
With a foundation of high-quality beer, great food, community investment, and genuine Iowa hospitality, Big Grove Brewery has grown considerably. It now ranks among Iowa’s top craft beer producers and in the top 3% for barrel production, nationally. “Everything has changed over the last 10 years,” says Matt Swift, Co-Founder and CEO. “We went from a brewpub in a small town in Iowa to approaching the top 100 breweries in the US.”
The Growth of Big Grove
Big Grove original brew house was launched in 2013, in Solon, Iowa, and focused on freshly made craft beer and elevated pub cuisine. Four years later, the brewery opened a 28,000-square-foot production facility in the Iowa City Riverfront Crossings redevelopment project. The location became renowned for fresh, on-trend craft beer and its vibrant social scene.
Big Grove Brewery’s Awards and Challenges
Great beers come not from the recipe itself but from the refinement of the process,” according to Andy Joynt, Brewery Director and Big Grove Partner. Big Grove’s beers won a gold medal for Easy Eddy, its flagship Hazy IPA, GABF Bronze for Festbier, and Citrus Surfer Fruited Wheat.
Statewide Distribution & Expansion
In 2019, Big Grove became the official brewery of RAGBRAI, the largest river-to-river bicycle ride across Iowa, pushing the brewery to statewide distribution. A third location in the capital city of Des Moines was established in 2022, and a fourth taproom is planned to open in Cedar Rapids.
Big Grove’s Philosophy
More than just a business, Big Grove focuses on a commitment to its communities. Its charitable arm, Big Grove For Good, helps local organizations, focusing on several issues, namely trees, trails, water, equity, equality, and its backyard.
The Future of Big Grove
As for the next 10 years, Big Grove plans to increase production capacity and put the right people in the right seats. “We’re opening up a production facility 3x what we can currently produce,” says Matt Swift. “It’s going to be critical to be intentional with our growth.”
Cheers to 10 years!
If your brewery is turning 10 and wants to toast, drop me a line at [email protected]. Tell me your story …
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Cheers to 10 Years! Big Grove Brewery’s Journey
It’s amazing to see the success and growth of Big Grove Brewery in just 10 years. Their commitment to quality products and community has truly paid off, making them a top craft beer producer in Iowa and nationally. Congratulations on this impressive journey! Cheers to many more years of success.
Aton also houses a large taproom open to guests 363 days a year, hosts regular live music and events, and proudly welcomes guests.
Congratulations to Big Grove Brewery on 10 years of success! It’s amazing to see how much the brewery has grown and evolved since its humble beginnings. From their top-notch beer to their community involvement, it’s clear that Big Grove has become a beloved staple in Iowa. Here’s to many more years of great beer and even greater memories! 🍻
Ation now offers a large outdoor space, stage for concerts and other events, sheltered beer garden, private dining, and taproom for 43 beers.
It’s incredible to see the success and growth of Big Grove Brewery over the past 10 years. From a small brewpub to one of Iowa’s top craft beer producers, it’s clear that their commitment to quality, community, and hospitality has led to their success. Cheers to 10 years and here’s to many more!