Two annual Cedar Rapids beer festivals merge into Cedar Rapids Brewing Society Benz Fest, debuting this week

CEDAR RAPIDS — Two drink festivals are merging with a debut this week.

The Drink Local Festival, previously presented in August by the Cedar Rapids Brewing Society, will now be combined with the Benz Beverage Depot’s Benz Fest to create The Cedar Rapids Brewing Society Benz Fest. The inaugural event will kick off from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Benz Beverage Depot, 501 Seventh Ave. SE.

The new event will feature access to beer, cider, mead and spirit vendors from around the Midwest, including Iowa home-brew clubs.

“We are very excited to continue our partnership with Benz. Combining these two great festivals will allow us to bring in even more vendors, while still featuring the many great home-brew clubs from around the state,” said Haley Rosendahl, president of the Cedar Rapids Brewing Society.

Tickets are available at Benz or online at eventbrite.com. Admission, limited to those ages 21 and over, are $40 general admission and $50 VIP. Free tickets are available for designated drivers.

Proceeds from this year’s festival will benefit the Greater Good Fund at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, an unrestricted endowment that supports competitive grant programs for nonprofits meeting the community’s greatest needs and opportunities.

Last year’s Cedar Rapids Brewing Society festival benefited Trees Forever with a $4,500 donation.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.