If you’re a craft beer fan in the Midwest, mark your calendar for Saturday, January 31, 2026. Iowa’s biggest winter beer festival returns to the Hyatt Regency Coralville with about 60 Midwest breweries for the region’s premier beer tasting event.
BrrrFest is celebrating its 14th year and now showcases exclusively Iowa breweries. When it started, Iowa had just 38 craft breweries. Today there are over 126.
Here’s the catch: BrrrFest 2026 tickets for Brewmaster access are already gone. General Admission is moving fast, so act quickly.
Ticket sales support two causes. The Iowa Brewers Guild advocates for the state’s brewing industry, while Coralville’s 4thFest gets funding for summer events. Together they generate over $1.25 billion for Iowa’s economy yearly.
BrrrFest 2026 Event Details: Dates, Tickets, and Schedule
When and Where: Hyatt Regency Coralville
BrrrFest 2026 happens on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Coralville, 300 E. 9th Street in Iowa River Landing. It’s entirely indoors, so you won’t have to brave Iowa’s January weather.
Festival Schedule and Entry Times
The festival runs on a two-tier schedule. Brewmaster ticket holders get early access starting at noon for four hours of tasting, plus they chat with brewers before crowds arrive. General Admission starts at 1:00 PM, and everyone wraps up by 4:00 PM.
BrrrFest Ticket Prices and What’s Included
Brewmaster tickets went for $65 and included the BrrrFest commemorative glass 2026—a 13-ounce Belgian-style collector’s item. Those are sold out. General Admission costs $50 through www.BrrrFest.org or Humanitix. You get a 6.75-ounce taster glass, perfect for sampling lots of different winter beers.
Both tickets give you unlimited tastings from over 200 beers, your commemorative glass, coat check service, and brewer access.
Important notes: No designated driver tickets. Everyone needs a full ticket, and you must be 21 or older. Tickets are non-refundable but transferable. Live music from Justin Goodchild plays until 1:30 PM.
Iowa Breweries and Winter Beer Styles at BrrrFest
60+ Midwest Breweries Pouring 200 Craft Beers
About 60 Iowa breweries, cideries, and meaderies will pour around 200 different beers. This isn’t your typical summer beer fest with light lagers. BrrrFest focuses on “beers of winter”—robust Imperial Stouts, barrel-aged specialties, warming porters, rich Barleywines, and seasonal releases made for cold weather.
These winter beer styles pack more alcohol and flavor than summer beers. They’re meant to be sipped and savored, which makes this festival different from other craft beer festivals Iowa hosts.
Featured Iowa Breweries You Don’t Want to Miss
Six newcomers join in 2026: Pink Boots Society Iowa Chapter representing women in brewing, plus Jacked UP Hard Cider, Luka Cider, and Paha Cider. The roster spans from Le Mars to Burlington.
Some heavy hitters you’ll meet: Toppling Goliath from Decorah leads Iowa craft sales with internationally acclaimed beers like King Sue. Big Grove from Iowa City controls 10% of Iowa’s craft market. Backpocket Brewing usually releases exclusive winter beers like Dark Day barrel-aged stout. Confluence brings Iowa Brewers Guild President John Martin’s expertise, while PIVO serves award-winning Czech lagers.
Craft Beer Tasting Experience and Food Options
You’ll get about 2-ounce pours in your commemorative glass, letting you sample widely. Use the FliteBrite app to check the beer list ahead of time. Food vendors sell meals inside, plus Boy Scout Troop 207 walks around with pretzel necklaces.
Planning Your Coralville BrrrFest Visit: Hotels, Parking, and Activities
Parking and Transportation to Iowa River Landing
Parking is easy at the Iowa River Landing Parking Ramp next to the Hyatt. It costs $1 per hour with an $8 daily max, and there are over 1,100 spaces. Since this is a beer festival, consider using Uber or Lyft.
Where to Stay: Coralville Hotels Near BrrrFest
The Hyatt Regency Coralville is the obvious hotel choice since the festival happens there. Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites are also within walking distance. Book early—hotels fill up fast.
What to Bring and Dining Options
What to bring: Your ID (21+ required), comfortable shoes, and cash or cards for food. Coat check is available. Small bags work better than backpacks in crowds.
Hungry? Iowa River Landing has options. 30hop serves craft beer and comfort food. Vesta makes stone-oven pizza. Watermill Kitchen + Bar at the Hyatt offers modern Midwestern dishes.
Things to Do in Coralville Iowa During Winter
Making a weekend of it? Coral Ridge Mall has ice skating at The Rink and an Iowa Children’s Museum. The Antique Car Museum displays over 80 vehicles. Downtown Iowa City features Prairie Lights bookstore and unique shops.
Why BrrrFest Matters for Iowa’s Craft Beer Industry
This Iowa winter beer festival 2026 is about more than good beer. It shows how Iowa’s craft brewing scene has transformed.
When BrrrFest started, Iowa had only 38 craft breweries. Today that number jumped to over 126, according to the Iowa Brewers Guild. That’s more than triple. The state’s craft beer industry now generates over $1.25 billion yearly while supporting around 1,500 jobs.
In the early days, BrrrFest needed breweries from other states to fill the venue. “When we first started, there weren’t enough Iowa breweries to do just that, so we had some from other states,” explained Coralville City Administrator Kelly Hayworth. “The industry has grown that much.”
Now the festival proudly features only Iowa breweries. That’s proof Iowa has become a real player in craft beer.
Ticket money goes back to the community. Coralville uses its share for 4thFest summer events. The Iowa Brewers Guild gets the rest to fight for better laws and help breweries succeed. In 2024, Coralville and BrrrFest earned the Iowa Ambassador of Craft Award—the Guild’s highest honor for non-brewery supporters.
How to Get BrrrFest 2026 Tickets Before They Sell Out
Look, BrrrFest 2026 tickets don’t stick around long. This beer festival Iowa event sells out every single year. Brewmaster tickets? Already gone. General Admission for this what to do in Coralville Iowa January highlight is moving fast.
If you want to sample barrel-aged Imperial Stouts, try winter beer specialties from Iowa’s best breweries, and support the local craft beer scene at one of the premier Midwest craft beer tasting events, head over to www.BrrrFest.org right now. Don’t be the person who waits too long and misses out on one of the best winter beer festivals Midwest has to offer.
