March 26, 2025 – The Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation and Lion Bridge Brewing Company have partnered to release Library Lager, a specialty limited-release beer, in celebration of the Westside Library project and National Library Week.
Library Lager will raise awareness about the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation and the Westside Library, which is currently under construction and slated to open in 2026. The Foundation’s Inspiring Big Dreams capital campaign to support the $25 million project is ongoing.
“The library holds a special place in my heart, and having the opportunity to create this beer to raise awareness for the new Westside Library is a true honor,” said Library Board of Trustees member and Lion Bridge co-owner Ana McClain. “As both a Library Trustee and a brewery owner, it felt like the perfect way to contribute our gifts and talents to this cause.”
She owns the brewery with her husband, Quinton McClain. He said supporting libraries aligns with Lion Bridge’s core values of supporting the arts and education.
“Libraries are super important to us and our family,” he said. “We love what they provide and frequent them often. Supporting them is something Ana and I think is critical to the success of the community.”
Library Lager will officially be released April 9 in conjunction with National Library Week, April 6-12. The week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities.
Library Lager will be available for sale at the Lion Bridge taproom, 59 16th Ave. SW, in Cedar Rapids, and at area stores that carry Lion Bridge products.
As part of the capital campaign, the Library Foundation auctioned off a guest brewer experience for Library Lager. Cedar Rapids City Council member David Maier had the winning bid and got to join Lion Bridge staff on the day they brewed the craft beer. He said supporting the effort is important to both he and his husband Matt McGrane.
“Being the brewmaster for Library Lager was special for me because it brought back cherished memories of when I used to help my dad brew beer in the basement of my childhood home. I do hope that Library Lager tastes better and has less yeast sediment than my dad’s home brew did,” Maier said. “Matt and I are thrilled to be a small part in bringing equitable access to information and an array of other resources to our west side community.”
The Library Foundation will also serve Library Lager at Literary Vines, its annual gala fundraiser at the Downtown Library on April 18. Tickets, which include food and beverage pairings, Maker Spaces tours, an online auction, live music, and more, are on sale now at CRLibrary.org/foundation.
“This collaboration with Lion Bridge is just one more example of the ways our community has come together support of the Foundation, the library, and the Westside Library project,” Library Foundation Executive Director Charity Tyler said. “This is such a fun way to show your library love this National Library Week.”
