I-380 beer caves tap into history of beer in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Typically reserved as part of discussions over a variety of topics, beer instead took center stage this week in Cedar Rapids.

Mark Stoffer Hunter, historian with The History Center, said beer 'really was the first large-scale industry in Cedar Rapids.” He led a discussion on that subject Wednesday at Lion Bridge Brewing Company, organized by The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.

'Magnus is the name that really has persevered in Cedar Rapids,” Stoffer Hunter explained, 'that is associated with beer history in Cedar Rapids.”

The love for beer in Linn County hasn't changed over the years. Microbreweries like Lion Bridge are becoming more popular. And talk of the recently rediscovered beer caves that run beneath I-380 has bubbled to a fever pitch.

'It's really kind of an exciting prospect and a great mystery underneath Cedar Rapids,” said Stoffer Hunter.

Unfortunately, the caves are due to be sealed up once again. He and this group seem to agree - they should be preserved.

'We have something unique here that other towns probably don't have,” said Jeanne Vogt of Atkins.

Nathan Longwisch of Cedar Rapids was also surprised to learn about the caves.

'Never knew we were driving over caves every day as we came in and out of work, and I run on the trail by there a lot, so I'm going to have to give it a second glance next time when I run through there.”

For most of this curious crowd, learning more about the caverns are a matter of having a better understanding of Cedar Rapids heritage. But for historians like Stoffer Hunter, they're a matter of time and patience.

'I guess we're going to have to wait a little bit longer to see what's inside those caves,” Stoffer Hunter said.