It's Chicago Craft Spirits Week. Why Aren't You Drinking?

By Anthony Todd in Food on Oct 1, 2012 9:15PM

Indie Spirits Expo was one of the best days of drinking we had in 2011. Bottom Lounge was packed with a huge number of craft, small-batch spirits - exactly what we love to drink. It was so successful that it's back for another year. It gets better - Chicago's distilleries and bars have gotten together to turn this into Chicago Craft Sprits week, an entire week of booze education and reverie.

The fun starts (for the general public; industry night is Monday) on Tuesday. The list of possible events is far too long for us to put in one blog post, so go check out the schedule. Some possibilities? How about "Bring Your Weird" at Watershed, starting at midnight? Six distilleries bring their strangest products for you to taste, and the folks at Watershed are going to mix them into cocktails. Not up that late? Head to Fountainhead for a workshop on "The Art of Aperitifs & Digestifs." It's only $15 for a whole mess of tastings. Explore American whiskey at Delilah's, taste rums at Evolution Wines & Spirits, quaff tequila at Masa Azul - the list goes on and on.

Wednesday is the big day. Starting at 7:00 at Carmichael's Warehouse, about a million distillers and liquor brands will be showing off their wares. Tickets are a little pricy ($55) but it's totally worth it. If you want to get in early, spend a little more for a VIP ticket.

On Thursday, spirits companies have partnered with restaurants all over Chicago for tasting dinners. FEW is hosting at Fountainhead, North Shore is hosting at Big Jones - check out the whole list and be sure to make reservations in advance.

If you don't drink some absolutely wonderful cocktails this week, don't blame us. There's never been a better time to be a spirits geek in Chicago.