i-BEST SCHEDULE 2025
Check Back as Schedule & Seminars are Updated!
Thursday, November 13th - Social at Lion Bridge Brewing, 59 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids Sponsored by Lion Bridge Brewing
6pm - Ongoing: In town for I-BEST? Join your friends and colleagues for an informal social meet up at Lion Bridge starting at 6pm! IBG Members: your first pint is on the house!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2025 -
Hosted by Field Day Brewing Co., 925 Liberty Way, North Liberty, Iowa
8:30am - 9:30am Sensory Panel Workshop - Sponsored by RahrBSG
This hands on sensory panel workshop will be hosted by IBG brewing members. Pre-register using the ADD ON feature on Eventbrite. SPACE IS LIMITED - look for sign up email!
9:00 - 10:00am - i-BEST Registration Check-In & Welcome Bags
9:00am: I-BEST Hospitality & Trade Show Available
10:00am: Welcome to all Attendees!
Keynote Presenter : Do More With Less: How Small Breweries Win Big Without Big Budgets - Julie Rhodes, Not Your Hobby Marketing
11:30am - 12:30pm Networking Lunch & Hosted Tables
Iowa HHS will hold office hours through I-BEST to answer your questions about CBD/THC beverages in Iowa!
Noon: Brewed in Iowa Podcast- IBG podcast recording sessions
Interested in being featured on the podcast? Email thevorlaufhour@iowabeer.org
12:30pm - 1:45pm Seminar Session 1
Technical Brewing - Exploring the Liquid Paradigm: A Practical Guide to New Hop Formats- Eric Kapraun, Yakima Chief Hops
Legal & Business - New GovConnect Updates plus Q&A - Dept. of Revenue, Iowa ABD
ABD will hold office hours at I-BEST through the day to answer your questions & share info!
Marketing & Taprooms - Paths to Profit, Derek Smith, Small Bath Standard
2:00pm - 3:15pm Seminar Session 2
Technical Brewing - Small, Medium, Large: 3 brewers Share Ideas & Solutions - Panel Discussion and Q & A
Legal & Business - Sales and Use Tax Issues Including 2025 Congressional Updates - Tim Reilly, BrownWinick Law Firm
Marketing & Taprooms - Social & Charitable Gambling & New Taproom Events - Dept. Inspections Appeals Licensing & Open Discussion on taproom events
3:30- 4:45pm Seminar Session 3
Technical Brewing - Ingredients as Differentiators- Panel: Jared Stober (Two Track Malting), Regan Freland (Choose Iowa), Steve Bradt (Hopsteiner), James Heine (Bremer Brewing)
Legal & Business - Modern Media: How to Navigate the Noise and Create Buzz - Justin Kendall (Brewbound Media), Megan Hurd (PolicyWorks PR), Mitch Fick (KGAN News Anchor/Reporter)
Marketing & Taprooms - Creating a Brewery Marketing Ecosystem - Julie Rhodes, Not Your Hobby Marketing
5:00pm: 2025 Ceremonial Toast & Iowa Ambassador of Craft Awards Social- Presented by BrownWinick
Celebrate your Community: the Iowa Ambassador of Craft Award recognizes those who have had a positive, lasting impact on the Iowa brewing industry and community. Sponsored by BrownWinick Law Firm
Bring a glass to swap and beer to share! Brewers can bring a glass to swap with other attendees!
Awards will be presented to the 2025 Recipients of the Iowa Ambassador of Craft award
Information and nomination form can be found HERE.
All attendees, vendors and allied partners welcome to join for this social!