Illinois Craft Brewers Guild's annual Passport program taps into pickup and delivery during pandemic
The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild's annual summer Passport program usually encourages residents to venture out to taprooms they haven't yet experienced. But the global pandemic led to a re-imagining, and this year's theme is "Passport at Home."
Starting Friday, May 8, craft beer fans who purchase beer, gift cards or merchandise by picking it up or having it delivered from one of the more than 100 participating breweries will receive a paper passport frame with their orders. Then, they are encouraged to post a photo of their purchase in the frame to social media, tagging the brewery and #passportathome.
Each week through June 4, someone using the hashtag will win a $25 gift card to the brewery of his or her choice.
In the Northwest suburbs, 21 breweries are participating in the Passport program, including Roaring Table Brewing Co. in Lake Zurich.
"It has always been a great thing for us, it brings new people in every year," said Beth May, who owns Roaring Table with her husband, Lane Fearing. "We hope that it continues to have that effect."
May said it has been a particularly anxious time for craft breweries like hers, which have had to switch from making money on taproom sales to delivery and pickup sales.
"We're doing some delivery, but a majority of our customers are just trying to get out of the house a little bit so the majority are doing curbside pickup," May said.
Danielle D'Alessandro, the executive director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, said now more than ever it is important to celebrate and reward craft beer fans across the state.
"Every order, whether a four-pack to-go or a gift card purchased for a friend, is critical to helping our member breweries sustain during this challenging time," D'Alessandro said.
Winners will be announced each Friday starting on May 15. The program will run until June 4.
Here is a list of participating breweries in the Northwest suburbs:
• Scorched Earth, Algonquin
• Crystal Lake Brewing, Crystal Lake
• Elmhurst Brewing, Elmhurst
• Stockholm's Restaurant and Brewery, Geneva
• Two Hound Red, Glen Ellyn
• Wild Onion Brewery, Lake Barrington
• Lake Bluff Brewing, Lake Bluff
• Roaring Table Brewing Co., Lake Zurich
• Mickey Finn's Brewery, Libertyville
• Half Day Brewing, Lincolnshire
• Noon Whistle Brewing, Lombard
• Bosacki's Brewery, Mundelein
• Tighthead Brewing, Mundelein
• Oswego Brewing, Oswego
• Riverlands Brewing Company, St. Charles
• Pollyanna Brewing, St. Charles
• Two Brothers Artisan Brewing, Warrenville
• Side Lot Brewery, Wauconda
• Dry City Brew Works, Wheaton
• Ike & Oak Brewing, Woodridge
• Skeleton Key Brewing, Woodridge