Every Chicago beer nerd’s favorite 11-day celebration is almost here, but which events should you go to? Since science hasn’t evolved to where you can temporarily clone yourself to be in two places at once, we've teamed up with some of our favorite beer bloggers to streamline your go-to events for #CCBW2015. Get your beers cheers-ing and hung over face emojis ready!
HAPPENING ALL WEEK:
Glazed & Infused serves up a one-of-a-kind beer doughnut IPD, "The India Pale Doughnut" to celebrate CCBW. Available at all locations, while supplies last between May 14-24th.
FEATURED EVENT: (3 out of 4 bloggers recommended this daily dose of fun)
BUT - Beer Under Tin (Free entry, beer and food for purchase)
Paddy Long’s 1028 W Diversey Pkwy
Thursday, May 14th, 7pm
Paddy Long’s 1028 W Diversey Pkwy
Thursday, May 14th, 7pm
Beer Under Glass at the Garfield Park Conservatory rightfully gets enormous praise but there are other events going on to ring in Chicago Craft Beer Week 2015. If you don’t want to shell out the dough for a ticket, head on over to Paddy Long’s for Beer Under Tin, or “BUT.” The crew from Metropolitan Brewing and Off Color Brewing will be on hand, and rumor has it that Doug and PK from Metro will be filming an episode of their hilarious rare-beer-chug-a-thon web series, Just Keep Tastin’.
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This year's philosphy: relax and enjoy without breaking the bank. Here are Kim (Hail To The Ale)'s top picks of 2015. Follow Kim during CCBW @hail2theale.
Temperance Trikonasana ($10 includes yoga and a 4oz taster)
Temperance Beer Co., 2000 Dempster St, Evanston
Saturday, May 16th, 1:00-2:15pm
Ohmmmmm! That's the sound of giving something good back to your body during a week of beer binging. Join Temperance for the first of their monthly yoga installments, debuting during CCBW. Proceeds will be donated to a different charity each month.
Brown Line Brews 3 Hosted by Cicerone Certification Program (Free entry with RSVP, beer and food for purchase)
The Long Room, 1612 E Irving Park
Tuesday, May 19th, 6:00-9:00pm
One of our favorite, most chill neighborhood events of the week – featuring the breweries on and around the Brown Line stops. If you are a Certified Beer Server or a Certified Cicerone, the cool folks at Cicerone will give you a custom glass and your first beer free (first 100 guests)!
3rd Annual Women of Craft Beer Event (Free entry, beer and food for purchase)
Riverview Tavern, 1958 W Roscoe
Thursday, May 21st, 7pm
Bigger and better than ever – 26 taps will be taken over to represent the women working in Chicago craft beer. We'll have special firkins from Temperance and Rock Bottom, a number of female collaboration beers, and the women of craft beer hanging out to chat and toast a pint. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Chapter of Dress For Success.
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Blogger and beer aficionado Jessica Murphy of Girls Like Beer Too! is no rookie when it comes to craft beer events. Below are her top recos. Follow Jessica during CCBW @grlslikebeertoo.
Craft Beerzaar (Free entry, beer and food for purchase)
Dimo’s Pizza 3463 N Clark St
Saturday, May 16th, 11am
Beer often walks a fine line between art and science and this event focuses more on the artisan quality of craft brewing. The fine folks at Dimo’s Pizza in collaboration with Half Acre, Penrose, Revolution, and Solemn Oath breweries are throwing a celebration of all things “craft.” A craft bazaar will be featured during the first half of the event and then, as daylight fades into evening, the party gets going with live music by local talent. Specially crafted pizza paired with a four-brew flight available for purchase.
Craft Beerzaar (Free entry, beer and food for purchase)
Dimo’s Pizza 3463 N Clark St
Saturday, May 16th, 11am
Beer often walks a fine line between art and science and this event focuses more on the artisan quality of craft brewing. The fine folks at Dimo’s Pizza in collaboration with Half Acre, Penrose, Revolution, and Solemn Oath breweries are throwing a celebration of all things “craft.” A craft bazaar will be featured during the first half of the event and then, as daylight fades into evening, the party gets going with live music by local talent. Specially crafted pizza paired with a four-brew flight available for purchase.
Blind Flights (Free entry, beer and food for purchase)
Fatpour Tapworks 2005 W Division St
Tuesday, May 19th, 5pm
Think you can tell the difference between pale ale and a saison? Test your beer knowledge at Blind Flights at Fat Pour Tapworks where you will receive four tastes of different beers and have to guess which they are off of a selected menu. Choose correctly, and you could win prizes!
NW Side Craft Beer Ride (Tickets $20 for transportation, beer available for purchase at each of the participating locations)
Thursday, May 21st , 6:00 pm
While Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square have been exuding craft beer cred for years, the Northwest side is often forgotten. But not anymore. Hop on the bus at any of the participating locations (Rabbit’s, Templestowe, Christina’s Place, Breakroom Brewery, Fischman’s Liquors, to name a few) and join a pub crawl like no other. Special tappings and brews will be on hand for purchase.
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MC Johnsen of Worth A Thousand Beers gravitates towards events with activity or entertainment involved. If you’re into that too, she recommend these ones. Follow MC during CCBW @worth1000beers.
The Beerfly Alleyfight, Eat! Drink! Watch (Tickets: $40)
The Drinking & Writing Theatre at Haymarket Pub and Brewery
Sat, May 16th, 12:00pm to 5:00pm
This truly unique event mashes together all of my favorite creative things: home brewing competition, food pairing, and art! 10 home brewers will present their beer, paired with a meal they have cooked, then an artist assigned to the pairing will share a piece they’ve created, inspired by the beer and food pairing they’ve just tried.
Sun, May 17th, 2:00pm to 6:00pm
I’m as much excited for this event’s location as for the event itself. Held in the Goose Island Barrel Warehouse, enjoy special tappings of Goose’s beers, plus a Battle of the Breweries Dodgeball tournament. As a bonus, 100% of proceeds will benefit Special Olympics.
Revolution Brewing x Stay Smooth Craft Beer Cruise (Tickets: $39)
Shoreline's dock at Navy Pier
Fri, May 22, 8:00pm–9:30pm, boarding at 7:45pm
What better way to spend a Friday evening than sailing around on Lake Michigan, gazing at the Chicago skyline, and listening to music? Plus your eyes and ears won’t have all the fun – Rev will be bringing their best beers aboard, paired with appetizers too. Fri, May 22, 8:00pm–9:30pm, boarding at 7:45pm
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While narrowing down a calendar full of events seemed an impossible task, beer blogger Grace Weitz picked some really unique ones. Check out The Beer Mile for more events she's excited about. Follow Grace during CCBW @thebeermile.
CCBW Tuesday Brewsday: Learn to Homebrew! (Free Entry)
CHAOS Brew Club, 2417 W Hubbard St.
Tue. May 19th, 5:30pm-11:30pm
Because my 2015 New Year's Resolution was to learn how to homebrew… CHAOS, the first beer club in the nation with their own brew space, hosts monthly brew days, but this one is extra special since it’s CCBW. Education Chair Matt Omura will be taking attendees through an all grain brew. Whether you’re a novice, like myself, or a homebrew extraordinaire you’ll have a chance to check out the CHAOS community brew space, shoot the beer breeze, sample some home brew, learn a thing or two…and maybe even cross off a New Year’s Resolution.
Northside vs. Southside Tap Takeover (Free entry, beer and food for purchase)
DryHop Brewers 3155 N. Broadway
Thu. May 21st 6:00pm-Fri. May 22nd 2:00am.
Thu. May 21st 6:00pm-Fri. May 22nd 2:00am.
I have to give a shout out to DryHop, my favorite neighborhood brewery and place to hang out. DryHop continually brews solid iterations of hop-centric ales, along with Belgian and experimental brews. They're featuring a Northside vs Southside gauntlet. Breweries from both areas will be “tapping in” if you will. From the Northside: newcomer Alarmist, Aquanaut and Metropolitan. In the South’s corner: Moody Tongue, Motor Row, and Marz.
It’s My Birthday SOUR BASH (Free entry, beer for purchase)
The Green Lady 3328 N. Lincoln Ave
Fri. May 22nd 4:00pm
The Green Lady 3328 N. Lincoln Ave
Fri. May 22nd 4:00pm
I love the Green Lady, which usually hosts South of 80 during CCBW (hmm)… and I love sour beer… easy decision. In honor of Owner Melanie's Birthday, 30 drafts and 3 firkins will be full of sour deliciousness, as well as plenty of bottles and cans.
Whichever events you choose, we wish you a very happy CCBW. For the full list visit chibeerweek.com. Thank you for supporting local craft beer, cheers!
Whichever events you choose, we wish you a very happy CCBW. For the full list visit chibeerweek.com. Thank you for supporting local craft beer, cheers!
