Your Guide To Chicago's Enormous Craft Beer Week 2017
By Anthony Todd in Food on May 16, 2017 7:36PM
Thursday marks the beginning of Chicago Craft Beer Week, the now-enormous festival that celebrates all things brewed and boozy. We've gone through the huge list of hundreds of events to cull out the eight must-dos, one per day, that you should attend.
Thursday, May 18
Thursday is the kickoff day, and that means there's a lot to choose from, but one event rises above all others: Beer Under Glass. This official start to the festival takes place at the beautiful Garfield Park Conservatory and, miraculously, some general admission tickets are still available. There will be 200 different beers from 100 different breweries, along with food trucks to help sop up the brews. Tickets are only $60, which is a pretty amazing bargain.
Friday, May 19
Do you like beer? Do you like mini golf? If so, head to Revolution Brewing, where they are hosting a special 9-hole, RevBrew themed course that winds through the brewery. Tickets are $40 for four people and include beer. Saturday is sold out, but there are still spots available on Friday.
Saturday, May 20
Celebrate Saint Lou's Assembly, Hopewell Brewing and Goose Island with a pig roast and anniversary celebration on Saturday. Starting at 4 in the afternoon, there will be a pig roast at Saint Lou's, with a $6 meat and three plate that also includes a beer from Hopewell. Beat that. A "silent disco" starts at 9 p.m. The event is free.
Sunday, May 21
Goose Island is hosting its 4th annual dodgeball "Battle of The Breweries," where 32 different breweries will fight it out for supremacy. Tickets are $25, which includes six beer tokens that can be used to buy all sorts of good things, including several varieties of Bourbon County Stout from 2012 to 2014. Plus, all the money goes to the Special Olympics.
Monday, May 22
Monday is kind of a slow day for CCBW, which is why it's the perfect day to go relax on a rooftop. At Fountainhead, they'll be showcasing 21st Amendment Brewery, and staff will be on hand screen-printing custom t-shirts for any guests that want them. So kick back and enjoy some local beers.
Tuesday, May 23
If you haven't trekked down to Horse Thief Hollow Brewing, now's a great time, as they host a CCBW cosplay event. Dress up as, of course, a beer (creativity encouraged), listen to some great music and sip some drinks.
Wednesday, May 24
Been drinking more and protesting less lately? Do both at the same time, as Jerry's joins the resistance for an event with Half Acre to support the ACLU. Half Acre will be bringing some of its best brews to Jerry's Lincoln Square, there will be raffles with prizes, and proceeds go to support the ACLU of Illinois.
Thursday, May 25
Have you been neglecting your south side beers (perhaps in favor of Malt Row)? Now's your chance to fix that, all in one place. Kaiser Tiger is hosting a South Side Brewery Takeover, with beers from Around The Bend, Baderbrau, Banging Gavel, Blue Nose, Horse Thief Hollow, Motor Row, One Trick Pony, Whiner, Burnt City and more.