Downtown Farmers' Market Teams Up with Court Avenue Brewing Company to Release Farmers' Market Gold Beer This Saturday
DOWNTOWN DES MOINES, IOWA (June 13, 2018) — The Downtown Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines has teamed up with Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company (CABCo) to release a special brew — Farmers’ Market Gold — in time for the Iowa Craft Brew Festival.
Five-and-a-half-barrels of the Belgian Strong Ale is being brewed, which is made in part with ingredients from The Market including 25 pounds of honey from Soder Apiaries and 3 pounds of rosemary from Saltlickers.
For the next month, $1 from every pint of the 9.5 percent alcohol by volume beer sold will be donated to The Market’s Meals From The Market program. The Meals From The Market program sponsored by Great Western Bank provides thousands of pounds of fresh food to Des Moines Area Religious Council emergency pantries where it is distributed to 13 pantry sites.
The beer will be tapped for the first time at CABCo at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 16. Media and members of the public are invited to attend. It will be available at the Iowa Craft Brew Festival, set for 1 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and at CABCo.
“The challenge for breweries this year for the Iowa Craft Brew Festival was to pair with another local organization to brew a beer using Iowa-made-or-grown ingredients,” said Brian Vaughan, Head Brewer of CABCo. “With the Downtown Farmers’ Market on our doorstep offering fresh seasonal local produce every Saturday from May through October, we thought it would make for a golden partnership.”
“With the help of Market vendors and patrons, our goal this year is to contribute 53,000 pounds of fresh produce to help feed the homeless and hungry in our community through the Meals From The Market program,” said Kelly Foss, Director of The Market. “We’re grateful for Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company’s support of Meals From The Market and I look forward to trying Farmers’ Market Gold!”
The Downtown Farmers’ Market, produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, supports nearly 300 farmers, growers and artisan food entrepreneurs from more than 50 Iowa counties. Market vendors offer locally produced fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, cheese, wine and so much more. The Market offers a variety of attractions and activities including shopping for fresh produce, eggs, meats and more, eating breakfast, enjoying the atmosphere, meeting with family and friends and live entertainment.
The Downtown Farmers’ Market began in 1976 with just 15 vendors and an average of 200 shoppers. Today, The Market supports more than 300 vendors and welcomes an average of 25,000 visitors each Saturday. An estimated 40,000 shoppers typically visit on Opening Day and key peak dates throughout the season. The Downtown Farmers’ Market has been recognized nationally by publications including The Daily Meal, Shape Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine and Country Living Magazine.
Find more information at desmoinesfarmersmarket.com.
About the Downtown Farmers’ Market
The Downtown Farmers’ Market is presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines and produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The Downtown Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday morning May – October in the Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines. The Market also produces a Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market in November and December. Find more information at desmoinesfarmersmarket.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/downtownfarmersmarket and on Twitter and Instagram at @DTFarmersMarket.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 330 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.