Brewers Association, Craft Beer Week May 16-22, 2011

Brewers Association

 

Thirsty? Craft Beer Week starts in Chicago

If the answer is 'yes' and you're a suds fan, this is where you want to go.

5 Rabbit

Chicago's Craft Beer Week comes tempered with a little agony -- there's no way to taste it all. Which

means beer lovers will need to choose their events wisely. Cheers! (Joel Wintermantle/For the Tribune)

By Josh Noel, Tribune Reporter

May 19, 2011

It's almost impossible to overstate how much delicious, rare and
inventive beer will be available during the second Chicago Craft Beer
Week, which begins Thursday and runs through the following Friday.



But the excitement will be tempered with at least a little agony --
there's no way to taste it all. Which means beer lovers will need to
choose their events wisely.



What follows are suggestions for how to spend each of the nine days
of Craft Beer Week: Some of the events are directly affiliated; others
simply honor the week.



Admittedly, this is not even close to a comprehensive list of what will

be happening across the city, but it's where I'll be drinking.



50% off The Tasting Room on Randolph. Get this and more of Chicago's top daily deals in one place.



More information about Craft Beer Week and a calendar of events (though there are far more than

listed there) can be found at chibeerweek.com. It's worth also checking with your favorite bar to see

what they have planned.

Thursday:
Beer Under Glass: The kickoff to Chicago Craft Beer Week could have been in a bar, but that would

have been so … predictable. Instead, things begin amid the lush greenery of the Garfield Park

Conservatory. Beer from more than 25 breweries will be available, as well as food. Attendees

will get Craft Beer Week passports granting access to more than a dozen events for the remainder

of the week. 300 N. Central Park Ave.; 5-9 p.m.; $40 in advance; $50 at the door.

Friday:
Avery Takes Over: This Boulder, Colo., brewery, which is one of the nation's most consistent and

inventive, will have 15 beers on tap, including several rarities not usually seen in Chicago. The Long

Room, 1612 W. Irving Park Road; 5 p.m. to close; no cover.

Saturday:
Craft Day Afternoon: If ever there was a Saturday for day drinking, this is it. And why not help out

some public schools while at it? Fizz Bar and Grill teams up with The Map Room to bring in beers

from breweries not distributed in Illinois, including Short's (Michigan), Fifty Fifty (California) and

Pike (Seattle). Proceeds go to Hamilton and Morton schools. Fizz, 3220 N. Lincoln Ave.; 1-5 p.m.;

tickets ($50) available at fizzchicago.com

Three Floyds vs. Victory: After the fundraiser, you'll need a nighttime activity: two great breweries

-- local hero Three Floyds and Pennsylvania hero Victory Brewing -- trot out rare beers from their

archives. Small Bar, 2049 W. Division St.; 7 p.m. to close; no cover.

Sunday:
Michigan Beer Day: One of the nation's great beer states will get the run of 24 taps. Haymarket

Pub and Brewery, 737 W. Randolph St.; 11 a.m. to close; no cover.

Monday:
Great Divide Tapping: Six beers -- some rarely seen in Chicago -- will be tapped from Denver

stalwart Great Divide. A Great Divide representative will be on hand to discuss. Bangers & Lace,

1670 W. Division St.; 7 p.m. to close; no cover.

Tuesday:
Goose Island Sour Night: Sour beers are hot, and now you can find out why. Goose Island will pour

at least seven. The Bristol, 2152 N. Damen Ave.; 7 p.m.-midnight; a Craft Beer Week passport is required.

Wednesday:
Trolley Crawl: A trolley will make a continuous loop among seven bars (including Local Option,

Quenchers and The Village Tap) that will each host a particular brewery (including Bridgeport,

Stillwater and Central Waters), with multiple tap handles expected to be pouring several beers

from the guest brewery. Various North Side bars; 6-10 p.m.; no cover for access to the bars, but the

passport is required to board the trolley.

Thursday:
Origin of the 5 Rabbit: Spearheaded by natives of Mexico and Costa Rica, 5 Rabbit is being billed

as America's first Latin craft beer even though it is brewed in Chicago. This will be an opportunity

to try the brewery's first three offerings -- a golden ale, a wit beer brewed with lime and passion

fruit, and a "Oaxacan-style" dark ale -- while sampling food and browsing art. National Museum of

Mexican Art, 1852 West 19th St.; 7-11 p.m.; Tickets ($35) are available at brownpapertickets .com.

(A no-cover introduction to 5 Rabbit can also be had 6-9 p.m. May 27 at Map Room, 1949 N. Hoyne Ave.)

May 27:
A Revolutionary Party: Revolution Brewing hosts the official closing night party. "Expect to find

the best of the most local of the local breweries," is how this one is being touted. 2323 N. Milwaukee Ave.;

two sessions -- 4-7 p.m. and 8-11 p.m.; tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door.

jbnoel@tribune.com

Twitter @traveljosh

 

For Immediate Release

All 50 States to Toast American Craft Beer Week

Celebrations to Be Held Across the Country May 16-22

Boulder, CO • May 9, 2011-For the first time in its six year history, American Craft Beer Week will

see official events hosted in all 50 states, making it the largest-ever celebration of U.S. craft brewers.

From May 16-22, new beer lovers and seasoned enthusiasts will raise glasses of their favorite IPA,

amber, stout-or anything in-between-to honor the more than 1,700 small and independent craft

brewers responsible for the vibrant American craft beer scene.

 

We want to feature your video of You Celebrating Craft Beer Week.  Send us your video for us to promote you and

your favorite Craft Beer.

Related Posts
Beer Execise Tax Repeal-Craft Brewers Fox News Feb 15,2011
Virginia Wine Showcase Feb. 12-13, 2011
ZAP Events, Zinfandel Advocates and Producers Future Events