Chi Festiv-Ale Tickets On Sale Friday

By Paul Schneider in Food on May 31, 2012 5:20PM

As beer festivals go, Festiv-Ale hangs with the best of them. Chef collaborations, food pairings, rare brews, unlimited samples, an abnormally attractive crowd, and a killer venue make this a highlight on the yearly festival calendar. You won't be sipping the good stuff until September 14th, but we're letting you know now because recent beer hysteria suggests that if you don't snag a ticket when they go on sale this Friday at noon, you may miss your chance.

The brewery lineup already rocks, and it isn't full yet. So far area breweries include Goose Island, Half Acre, Haymarket, Revolution, Solemn Oath, Greenbush, 5 Rabbit, Finch's, Flossmoor Station, Piece, Two Brothers, Rock Bottom - Lombard, Rock Bottom - Chicago, Brickstone, and Wild Onion. Out-of-towners Stone, Lagunitas (well, kind of out of town), and Leinenkugel's will join the fun as well. Non-beer drinkers can stick to Crispin Cider.

Cleetus Friedman of City Provisions is leading the charge with food. He's bringing three dishes, each paired with one of his collaboration brews. The Meatloaf Bakery, I Gotta Guy Sausage, and Nacional 27 will also be slinging unlimited beer-tuned grub.

Festiv-Ale is Friday, September 14th from 7-11 PM at Carmichael's Warehouse, 1052 W Monroe. Tickets, available here, are $65 and go on sale Friday, June 1st, at noon. A limited supply of VIP tickets are available at $100 and get you in an hour early. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.