The University of Iowa Athletics Department and Big Grove Brewery have announced a new licensing partnership featuring the launch of TIGERHAWK, a premium lager designed to generate revenue for university sports programs.
The agreement designates the Solon-based brewery as the “Official Craft Brewery” of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Under the terms of the deal, a portion of the proceeds from all sales will be directed to the university’s athletic department to fund student-athlete resources.
“We wanted to create a beer that Iowans are proud to hold—not just because it looks amazing and tastes great, but because every sip helps the Hawks win,” said Matt Swift, co-founder and CEO of Big Grove Brewery.
The partnership was facilitated by Hawkeye Sports Properties, the local Learfield team that manages multimedia rights for the university. The move serves as a strategic branding effort for both entities: it provides the university with a new revenue stream and bolsters Big Grove’s commercial presence in the state.
“Big Grove understands what’s at the core of Hawkeye fans, and TIGERHAWK gives our fanbase a direct way to support our programs while enjoying a high-quality, local beer,” said Matt Henderson, deputy director of athletics at the University of Iowa.
TIGERHAWK will be available year-round beginning June 8, with plans for retail distribution and sales at Kinnick Stadium and Carver-Hawkeye Arena during home events.
Big Grove, founded in 2013, has grown to become one of the top 60 beer producers in the United States by barrel volume. The brewery has earned national recognition for its portfolio, including a Great American Beer Festival gold medal for its flagship Easy Eddy IPA.
