Iron Brew LIVE JUDGING!

That's right -- this Saturday 5 Rabbit will be hosting LIVE JUDGING of the Iron Brew Homebrew Challenge with an all-star panel of judges, open to the public. Here are the details:

We will be meeting at the brewery this Saturday afternoon, February 1st 1pm-4pm. Judging will be held "live" starting at 1:30pm. The competition entry fee is $10 and drop off locations are Brew Camp and Brew and Grow (before 5pm on Friday) or you can bring them to the brewery on Saturday.

If you are submitting beer, bring your friends with you to celebrate your imminent win! If you are not submitting beer, come on over anyway. There will be no cover charge and we will have complementary snacks. Also, first pint of beer is on us!

Randy Mosher and John J Hall will be at the brewery to judge the homebrew and give brewery tours. Come on out and spend your Saturday with us!

Brewery address:

Narragansett Ave, Bedford Park, IL 60638
(312) 895-9591

Iron Brew Homebrew Challenge - The Rules

Hey Homebrewers! Back in November we held the Iron Brew Workshop at the 5 Rabbit Brewery with special guest, Randy Mosher. He extended the "Homebrew Challenge" and unveiled the secret ingredient - SOUR ORANGES (Seville Oranges/Bitter Orange).

The competition will take place on Saturday, February 1st, 12pm at the 5 Rabbit Brewery. Submissions are open to any local homebrewer (no mail in entries accepted) regardless of whether you attended the workshop. Any style may be brewed, the only requirement is use of the secret ingredient, sour oranges, which your beer will be judged on the application of.

Registration can be done through the 5 Rabbit website and is required to participate. Further information will be emailed to you upon your $10 registration fee purchase.

Below are the Competition Rules. Please contact Kim or Andres with further questions.

GOOD LUCK!!

The Iron Brew Homebrew Challenge with 5 Rabbit

Homebrewers, get ready for the class of a lifetime! 

For this installment of 5 Rabbit Cervecería Event Series, Randy Mosher will be sharing his knowledge and experience on "Brewing with Specialty Ingredients". The material covered and class discussions are tailored for experienced homebrewers. 

Both installments of this 2-part beer workshop will be held at 5 Rabbit Brewery in Bedford Park, IL. Session 1 will take place on Saturday November 23rd, 2013 at which a "secret ingredient" will be revealed, extending a homebrew challenge. For those wishing to participate, Session 2 homebrew judging will be held on Saturday, February 1st, 2014. Further details to be unveiled at the event.

This event is held in collaboration with Kim Leshinski of Hail to the Ale and Liz Garibay of Tales, Taverns & Towns.

Session 1 (Saturday, November 23rd, 2013): 

12:00pm: Bus pick-up at Sheffield's Beer & Wine Garden, 3258 N Sheffield Ave

12:30pm: Ride to the brewery. Chicago beer history from Liz Garibay of Tales, Taverns, & Towns.

01:30pm: "Brewing with Specialty Ingredients" presentation by Randy Mosher. Randy will also reveal the "Iron Brew" Secret Ingredient Challenge. 

03:00pm: Brewery tour from 5 Rabbit Brewmaster John J Hall.

04:00pm: The party continues! Leave the brewery and return back to Sheffield's where there will be a special and unique food menu paired with 5 Rabbit brews as well as a selection of 5 Rabbit beer. (Not included in ticket price, event open to public. Pay per consumption.)

Tickets for Session 1 are $45, which includes charcuterie and a selection of cheeses, bread, and tapping of special beers, exclusive to the Iron Brews event. It also covers transportation to and from the brewery from Sheffield's where, upon our return, the good times are open to all. 

TICKETS: http://ironbrewchallenge.brownpapertickets.com/

The Release of 5 Rabbit Vida Y Muerte

This Thursday 5 Rabbit will be releasing their seasonal "Vida Y Muerte", Day of the Dead Marzen-style beer. They'll be celebrating this release on Thursday, September 26th at the Hopleaf in Andersonville along with special guest, Brewmaster John J. Hall.  The party starts at 7pm.

Chicago Craft Beer Week

One week until the coveted "Chicago Craft Beer Week" kicks off, showcasing local craft beer from all of your favorite and 'yet to be discovered' favorite breweries from the Midwest and beyond. This 11 day celebration is brought to you by the hard working folks of the Illinois Craft Brewer's Guild, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the development and expansion of the local craft beer industry.

This year's schedule is overwhelming to say the least, with over 250 locations involved. Each day offers dozen's of fantastic events, spanning not only the Chicago area neighborhoods, but expands into many of the surrounding suburbs. 

In addition this year the ICBG has published a free CCBW app, to help you organize your event schedule as well as check into events to earn points to win prizes, such as beer festival tickets, t-shirts and more. The app can be downloaded here.

Below are some highlighted favorites, with the best intentions to hit as many as possible. We of course have to spotlight our own event - Celebrating Real Women of Craft Beer on May 23rd at Riverview Tavern. The ladies behind your favorite local breweries will be in attendance to tap an exclusive all women brewed collaboration beer, "99 Problems" - a Saison brewed with Chamomile and Ginger. We'll be screening the documentary "The Love of Beer". 

Hope to see you there!

For the full list of events go to www.chibeerweek.com and follow @chibeerweek

Thursday, May 16th

Beer Under Glass

Some would say the most spectacular event to kick off Craft Beer Week featuring all of Chicago’s local breweries pouring beer at the beautiful Garfield Park Conservatory.

Garfield Park Conservatory, 6:30pm, tickets are SOLD OUT

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=47

Friday, May 17th and May 24th
Half Acre Double Firkin Tapping
Taking their weekly Firkin Friday to the next level, Half Acre will feature two firkins - to be announced the day of
Half Acre Taproom, North Center
http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=259


Saturday, May 18th

Ipswich, MA-dness, featuring Boston area breweries Clown Shoes and Brash Brewing. The brewery guys will be in attendance and are ready to rock the Chicago scene.

Jerry’s Sandwiches, Andersonville, 6pm

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=71

Saturday, May 18th

Atlas Brewing 80’s Beer Prom/Two Brothers Tap Takeover

A fabulous night of Two Brothers beers, 80's music, dancing, awkwardness, balloon arches, and polaroid photos!

Lincoln Park, 9pm

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=110

Sunday, May 19th

Goose Island’s 25th Anniversary Party

Celebrating of 25 years of brewing in Chicago with a variety of beer including the Fulton & Wood and Bourbon County collections.

Goose Island Fulton Brewery, 12pm-3pm, $25 tix

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=323

Monday, May 20th

Brown Line Brews, featuring local northside breweries Half Acre Beer Company, Begyle Brewing, Atlas Brewing Company, Metropolitan Brewing, DryHop Brewers

The Longroom, Ashland/Irving Park in North Center, 6pm

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=162

Monday, May 20th

Viking’s Feast with Solemn Oath Brewing, featuring 8 taps and a firkin of Solemn Oath’s beer, paired with Viking films and Nordic Metal music.

Jerry’s Sandwiches, Andersonville, 7pm

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=70

Wednesday, May 22nd

5 Rabbits Tap Takeover

The Beer Bistro North, Lincoln Park, 6pm

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=34

Wednesday, May 22nd

New Wave Brewer Showcase, featuring Temperance, 4 Paws, Lake Effect, Spiteful, Flesk, Ale Syndicate, Begyle & DryHop

Hamburger Mary’s, Andersonville, 7pm

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=200

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Thursday, May 23rd

Celebrating Women in Craft Beer, featuring the female brewers of the Midwest  from Goose Island, Two Brothers, Rock Bottom, Metropolitan, Greenbush, 4 Paws, Ale Syndicate, Flossmoor Station as well as Bottles & Cans beer store, with an exclusive all women brewed collaboration beer. 

Riverview Tavern, Roscoe Village, 6:30pm

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=93

https://www.facebook.com/events/468159669922343/

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Friday, May 24th

Barrel-Aged Obfuscation Release (I’m proud to have helped brew this beer!!)

Atlas Brewing, Lincoln Park, 7pm

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=112

Saturday, May 25th

West Loop Craft Beer Fest

IL Craft Brewer’s Guild & Chicago French Market bring you the city’s largest craft beer block party with over 25 breweries participating

French Market, West Loop, 12pm-5pm, $40 Gen Admission ($65 VIP hour)

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=214

Saturday, May 25th

Beerfly Alleyfight - Watch 10 homebrewers compete with the same beer recipe paired with a food dish and a local artist performance. Sample food, beer & art!

Haymarket Pub, West Loop 12pm-5pm, $35 advanced tix

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=142

Sunday, May 26th

3 Floyds & Off Color Brewing Tap Takeover

Northdown, Lincoln Park, 2pm

http://chibeerweek.com/event/?eid=223

Alphabeer X: 26 Craft Beers of the Alphabet

Alphabeer is the only event that teaches craft beer lovers about 26 beers - one for every letter of the alphabet. It's a three-hour tour of hops and barley and lagers and ales, and everything is crafted by masters who are passionate about their beers. Breweries from the Great Lakes area, including Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana and of course, Chicagoland, are being highlighted.

Saturday, April 20th, 12pm - 3pm
John Barleycorn 149 W. Kinzie St. in River North

Special guests will be joining the event to talk about their beers, including representatives from 5 Rabbit, Brewery Vivant, Founders, Goose Island Brewing Company, and New Holland. Chef Cleetus Friedman of Fountainhead is also scheduled to talk about Loudmouth Soup, the beer he produced in collaboration with Greenbush. Other guests on the roster are Chicago Beer Geeks and the Chicago chapter of Barley's Angels, a beer club for women.

Attendees won't just be tasting the beers. Chef Jill Houk is returning as the emcee, or AlphaBeerMaster, for the fourth time. She'll educate guests on the ABV, the IBU and what to eat with each brew. Notes on each beer are broadcast on multiple screens so everyone can learn their A-BEER-C's.

• A - All Day IPA, Founders
• B - Breakfast Stout, Founders
• C - Curmudgeon, Founders
• D - Dynamo, Metropolitan
• E - Eugene Porter, Revolution
• F - Farm House Ale, Brewery Vivant
• G - Goose Island, Pepe Nero
• H - Huitzi, 5 Rabbit
• I - Iron Works Alt, Metropolitan
• J - Jinx Proof, Three Floyds
• K - Kalamazoo Stout, Bell's
• L - Loudmouth Soup, Greenbush & Cleetus Friedman
• M - Monkey King, New Holland
• N - New Grist, Lakefront
• O - Over Ale, Half Acre
• P - Paleooza, New Holland
• Q - Querkus Smoked Oaked Porter
• R - Revolution, A Little Crazy
• S - Sky High Rye, Arcadia
• T - Tiny Dancer, Goose Island
• U - Unfiltered Wheat Beer, Boulevard
• V - Hammer, Bullet, Vice; Half Acre
• W - White Chapel Wit, Haymarket
• X - "X" FIDY, Oskar Blues
• Y - GFY Stout, Spiteful Brewing
• Z - Zaison, Brewery Vivant

Tickets are $45 and can be purchased here
Buy your ticket in advance and save $5. Tickets are $50 at the door.

AlphaBeer is hosted by Theresa Carter, founder and publisher of The Local Tourist,
LLC. The first event was in 2009 and it was inspired Ms. Carter's mother, who each
week would drink a beer from a different letter of the alphabet with fellow commuters
on their Friday night train ride. Since then AlphaBeer has appeared at multiple venues
in Chicago and has featured over 200 different beers.

TheLocalTourist.com, or TLT as it's affectionately known, is Chicago’s one-stop-spot for
things to do, events, restaurants, nightlife, news, reviews, photos and more. It’s a business
directory, an events calendar, and a multi-contributor magazine filled with news from the
TLTeam of city experts. Its mission is to help locals experience the fascination of a tourist,
and tourists feel the comfort of the local.

April Craft Beer Events

Ommegang Game of Thrones Release Party - The Beer Bistro 1061 W. Madison, Chicago, Illinois
Join Ommegang to celebrate the release of Iron Throne Blonde Ale. They're also tapping Gnomegang (collaboration with Brewery A Chouffe) and Duvel Rustica (collaboration with Duvel).
Tuesday, April 2nd 5:00pm
www.thebeerbistro.com


Ommegang Game of Thrones Tapping - Fountainhead Chicago 1970 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL
Tapping limited released Ommegang Iron Throne, Art of Darkness and Gnomegang
Tuesday, April 2nd 6:00pm
www.fountainheadchicago.com

Local Beer Showcase - Atlas Brewing Company 2747 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL
Featuring the beers of Lake Effect, 18th Street, Spiteful, DryHop, Begyle, and Flesk Brewing. Sample fresh local beers and talk to the people who made them! Tickets
Thursday, April 4th 7:00pm
www.atlasbeer.com

"Visit Us at the Rabbit Hutch!" - 5 Rabbit Cerveca 6398 W 74th Street Bedford Park, IL
Join 5 Rabbit Brewery for a tour of their brand new brewery for tasting, snacking, music and mingling. They want your help to find the perfect cheese pairing for HUITZI, their Midwinter Ale, and have a go at some hands-on experiments to find the perfect combination of fruits and spices for the new summer series, PALETAS. They're also giving a sneak preview of their spring seasonal MISSIONARIO, a strong wheat beer brewed with Muscat grape juice and a hint of almonds.
Saturday, April 6th 2:00pm - 6:00pm
www.5rabbitbrewery.com

Beer Academy - Experimental Styles Goose Island Clybourn 1800 N Clybourn Chicago, IL
On the last Wednesday of each month Goose Island  offers a Beer Academy class to learn about a different beer theme. Enjoy a sample of different beers from various craft breweries. Tickets $20. To RSVP call (312) 915-0071
Wednesday, April 24th 6:30pm
www.gooseisland.com

Dark Lord Day - Three Floyds Brewpub 9750 Indiana Pkwy, Munster, IN
FFF infamous festival celebrating the one day release of Dark Lord Day Russian Imperial Stout is set for it's 9th year. This ticketed event is SOLD OUT - all of the "day of" details can be found at www.darklordday.com
Saturday, April 27th 10am