3rd Annual BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark Raises $20,000 for Iowa Food Banks

June 25, 2025

Hundreds of Iowans gathered at Principal Park on June 21 for the third annual BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark, raising more than $20,000 to support food banks across the state. The family-friendly event was presented by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) in partnership with the Iowa Cubs and Fareway Stores.

“Events like BBQ & Brew show how strong our communities are when we come together for a common cause,” said Doug Gruver, IPPA board member and two-time event volunteer. “Giving back is at the heart of what we do as pork producers. Whether it’s raising food or raising funds, we’re proud to serve Iowans beyond the farm. This event is also a great opportunity to showcase the high-quality product we raise in Iowa and the incredible BBQ talent and passion of the teams who compete.”

This year’s event featured 24 backyard barbecue teams competing for $12,000 in prize money across three pork categories: loin, ribs, and butt. Fareway Stores played a critical role in making the event possible, generously donating all the pork used in the competition and supporting the effort to feed Iowans in need. Their contribution, along with free pork samples provided by Iowa Machine Shed, the Ames and Beaverdale Fareway Meat Markets, Story County Pork Producers, and local BBQ enthusiast Joe Osbrink, helped create a memorable experience for attendees.

Backroad BBQ of Ames earned the title of Grand Champion, while Brown Dog BBQ from Stuart was named Reserve Grand Champion. Slap Your Bacon BBQ from Ankeny placed third overall and won the People’s Choice Award, securing $1,000 in prize money and directing a $1,000 donation to the North Polk Comet Cupboard food pantry in Polk City.

“This donation was such a blessing and came at a time of real need,” said Dixie Bequeaith of the North Polk Comet Cupboard. “Food insecurity doesn’t take a summer break, especially for families with kids out of school. Running a pantry often means wondering how we’ll keep the shelves stocked, but time and again, generous people and businesses step up. We’re incredibly grateful for this support from the winning team, and it will go a long way in helping our community.”

Alongside the competition, guests enjoyed live music from Drew Fry and Sierra Griggs, cold drinks from 12 Iowa breweries and cideries, family-friendly games, and BBQ bootcamp sessions led by Thyron Mathews, Netflix’s “Barbecue Showdown” champion, and pitmasters Josh DeWitt and Jeremy Williams of BW Outdoors.

 

Winners by category included:

Pork Loin

1st – Community Choice Credit Union BBQ (Johnston)

2nd – Nobody BBQ (Owatonna, MN)

3rd – Brown Dog BBQ (Stuart)

 

Pork Ribs

1st – Two Old Guys Rubbin Butts (Ames)

2nd – Backroad BBQ (Ames)

3rd – Notourious BBQ (Mt. Ayr)

 

Pork But

t1st – Slap Your Bacon BBQ (Ankeny)

2nd – I’d Smoke Dat BBQ (Des Moines)

3rd – Backroad BBQ (Ames)

 

Pork & Pints from Grinnell received the highest marks from a panel of celebrity judges.

 

Click here to view full contest results.

Click here for downloadable event photos.