Autumn festivals pair fine craft brews with fun
Gardeners plan recipes around their harvest. Beer lovers plan their autumn according to the bounty of brew fests that churn throughout the season like yeast and hops.
Gather the gang to sample sudsy elixirs in a gleeful atmosphere steeling you from the chill in the coming months.
Saturday, Sept. 30
BACON & BEER CLASSIC
Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, baconandbeerclassic.com
The Bacon & Beer Classic held in Daley Plaza should have a good mix of beer fans from millennials to boomers sipping 50-plus craft beers from regional breweries and nibbling original bacon creations. Participating eateries include Public House, Connie's Pizza, Pork Chop and Churro Factory. After a few, you'll want to play giant Jenga or at least cornhole, or even compete in a bacon-eating contest (just bring the defibrillator). Three hours of unlimited bacon dishes and craft beer costs $55 to $65 for either the afternoon or evening session.
LISLE ALE FEST
PrairieWalk Pond, downtown Lisle, lislealefest.com
The fifth annual Lisle Ale Fest stars over 80 diverse American craft beers, including one of the largest selection of Oktoberfest beers among the list. From 4 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 30, the event also offers live music and local food. Proceeds benefit the Lisle Area Chamber of Commerce and other local service organizations. Tickets are $45 to $55 with lower prices for designated drivers.
Friday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Oct. 1
OKTOBERFEST CHICAGO
1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago, www.chicagoevents.com/events/oktoberfestchicago
Combine the merriment of a Bavarian festival with craft beer and you may have the perfect fall outing. Oktoberfest Chicago celebrates its 17th year of autumnal revelry in Chicago's West Lakeview neighborhood bringing German-style food and music plus a Saturday and Sunday “Kinderfest” for families. Beer fans, however, will want to visit Friday or Saturday night for craft beer tasting nights in a parish German Beer Hall. The cost is $40 for 20 samples, souvenir tasting glass and a pretzel necklace. The event is limited to 650 people per night so purchase tickets at www.eventbrite.com/e/oktoberfest-chicago-tickets- 35692296620.
Saturday, Oct. 7
BERWYN BREW FEST
Proksa Park
3001 Wisconsin Ave.
Berwyn
www.berwynbrewfest.com
The fourth annual Berwyn Brew Fest features more than 40 craft beers from around the country as well as classic ale house items, live music by rock and blues bands, barbecue and food from Berwyn restaurants including Meican. This might be the best price of all the local beer gatherings: for $25 (in advance) or $35 at the gate, sample 10 of 40 craft beers in your commemorative sampling glass. The fest takes place from 1 to 5 p.m.
COCK-A-DOODLE BREW FEST
Hollywood Casino
1 W. New York St.
Aurora
www.cockadoodlebrewfest.com
Also on Oct. 7, the third annual Cock-A-Doodle Brew Fest promises a balance of “craft beer that cannot be found elsewhere, a variety of different wings to amaze your taste buds, and a solid lineup of local bands to ensure you have a great time.” A VIP ticket ($75) allows early entry, private seating and bathrooms, meal voucher, three additional samples and special brews not available outside the VIP tent. General admission is $45.
Saturday, Oct. 14
PUB IN THE PARK CRAFT BEER FEST
Sunset Park
5200 Miller Road
Lake in the Hills
www.pubinthepark.org
The third annual Pub in the Park Craft Beer Fest expects 2,000 brew fans to descend upon Sunset Park in Lake in the Hills. Sample the work of more than 40 breweries, food trucks and live music all on-site to make for a fantastic day. VIP admission begins at 3 p.m. and everyone else gets in an hour later with the last pour at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $45 to $65. Food trucks serve up pizza, sandwiches and cupcakes.
Saturday, Oct. 21
BREW MOON BEER & BAND FESTIVAL
The Max
4750 S. Vernon Ave.
McCook
brewmoonfest.com
This one calls itself the largest craft, micro and import beer tasting event in the West suburbs. With 150 beers to sample, it could be. Beer tasting commences at 6 p.m. and the pours continue until 9:30 p.m. Then there's live entertainment and a cash bar until 11 p.m. View the online charity page to learn about the important work of sponsoring organizations. For $50 in advance or $55 at the door, you get unlimited 2-ounce pours and a tasting glass to add to your collection.
Saturday, Oct. 28
WITCH CRAFT BEER FEST
Northwestern Medicine Field
Kirk Road and Cherry Lane
Geneva
tinyurl.com/ybu9q86l
Kane County Cougars present the Witch Craft Beer Fest, a fine idea for an adult Halloween destination. The Halloween-themed craft beer festival is held indoors with more than 40 craft beers from breweries across the country. You can even try to trick-or-treat for your favorite craft beers. There will be a costume contest with a prize for Most Unique, Scariest and Best Couple. Expect tasty ballpark treats, classic horror movies on the big screen and a DJ playing Halloween classics and Top 40 tunes. It's a full night of fun, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. for $45 to $55. Specialty food trucks include Toasty Cheese, Toasty Taco and Best Truckin' BBQ.
Saturday, Nov. 4
BEERHOPTACULAR
Cinespace Chicago Film Studios
2565 W. 15th Place
Chicago
www.beerhoptacular.com
BeerHoptacular, Chicago's original craft beer festival, boasts 75 brewers and 150-plus craft beers, and some of the city's most popular food trucks. Additional winning entertainment includes the annual BeerHoptacular Homebrew Competition sponsored by Bell's Brewery, a DJ spinning strictly vinyl playlist, a bicycle kegerator and a live insult booth. Choose the afternoon or evening session for $49 to $59.