Raise a glass: Pints by the Pond returns to Batavia Sept. 23
The tastiest hometown craft beer festival is back in Batavia.
The second annual Pints by the Pond Craft Beer Festival, hosted by Batavia Park District, returns to Peg Bond Center on Sept. 23 for an afternoon of tastings of small-batch beer from 15 local breweries, including an IPA specially made for festivalgoers.
"There are not many options for an event like this in the area, so this is a great opportunity to sample beer from 15 diverse breweries in one location," said Nathaniel Jarosz, Batavia Park District athletic supervisor and event organizer.
"You can try beer from Art History in Geneva, Golden Fox in Decatur, Around the Bend Beer Co. in Chicago, or Batavia's own Energy City Brewery," he said, in addition to many others from Chicago and the suburbs.
It's also a great way for festivalgoers to find breweries not even on their radar, he added. "Last year, people didn't know that some of these places existed."
Only a limited number of tickets are available, and if the event sells out, tickets will not be sold at the festival.
"The advantage of a smaller event is that it's a more relaxed atmosphere," Jarosz said. "You're not constantly waiting in line to sample beer, you can enjoy it at a leisurely pace and there's even time to talk to the brewers and like-minded beer lovers about the samplings."
Returning this year are favorite breweries such as 93 Octane Brewery, Around the Bend Beer Co., Art History Brewing, Brother Chimp Brewing, BubbleHouse Brewing, Energy City Brewing, Golden Fox Brewing, Obscurity Brewing, Penrose Brewing Co., Sew Hop'd Brewery and Sturdy Shelter Brewing. Discover new beloved brews from Grainology Brewstillery, LaGrow Beer Co., Maplewood Brewing and Second City Meadery.
Attendees will also sip a special collab brew made just for the fest.
Shumway & Flinn, a Session West Coast IPA, is the creation of two Batavia breweries that joined forces.
Grainology is new to Batavia but isn't yet set up for production, Jarosz said. "They wanted to be involved in the fest to get their name out to the community. Sturdy Shelter offered to team up with them to present this new offering."
Part of the fun of attending a brewfest is sampling small-batch creations with interesting names, he added.
Brews on tap this year include Angelic, Oaxacan Forest Wildflower, Apple Bakery, Double Barrel Fate, Zeroed In and Summer's Horizon plus many more.
Food will also be available for purchase from GVS Italian Street Food, Fernando's Street Kitchen and Gindo's.
Tickets are $50 or $65 for VIP with early start at 1 p.m. It is $10 for designated driver.
For more information on our Batavia Park District programs and events, call (630) 879-5235 or visit bataviaparks.org.
Pints by the Pond Craft Beer Festival
When: 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23; VIP entry at 1 p.m.
Where: Peg Bond Center at Batavia Riverwalk, 151 N. Island Ave.
Who: 21 or older; children and pets are not allowed at the fest
Tickets: $50 regular admission and $10 designated driver; $65 VIP admission. A limited number of tickets are available; last year's event sold out. Festivalgoers receive a 5-oz. commemorative beer glass and 20 tasting tickets
Details: Purchase tickets at <a href="https://bataviaparks.org/pints-by-the-pond">bataviaparks.org/pints-by-the-pond</a>.
Sponsors: Alicia Brooks, Signature Homes/Compass Homes