Cool off at an upcoming craft beer festival
Sometimes all you want on a hot day is a cool drink. If you have a taste for a cold brew, this is your lucky weekend, as there are craft beer festivals happening across the suburbs. If you already have plans for the weekend - don't worry, as there are other craft beer fests happening throughout the summer.
Here's what we found:
Morton Arboretum's Craft Beer Festival
Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Tasting booths offering beers, ciders, seltzers and meads from 30 local breweries will be spread out along Meadow Lake, Frost Hill and the Conifer Trail. Each ticket includes 20 3-ounce beer samples, with more than 60 different varieties to choose from. Must be 21 or older to drink; nondrinkers and underage guests can join ticket holders on the tasting route. Tickets, which are $55 for members and $65 for nonmembers, are available every 15 minutes between 12:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Last call is at 3:45 p.m., and the last pour is at 4 p.m. Ticket sales end at 9:59 a.m. Saturday, June 25. mortonarb.org/.
Craft Beer Adventure Festival
2-7 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at Richardson Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. Just for those 21 and older, Richardson Farm is hosting its first craft beer fest featuring more than 40 beers, wines and spirits to sample. In addition, there will be music from the Steve Gritman Band from 3-6 p.m., food trucks, yard games, cornhole, a giant slide and jumping pillows. For ages 21 and older only. Tickets are $45 for general admission (3-7 p.m. entry and a sampling mug), $65 for VIP (early entry from 2-3 p.m., sampling mug and preferred parking), and $15 for designated drivers (includes two sodas or water). Sponsored by the Richmond-Spring Grove Rotary. richardsonadventurefarm.com.
German Beer Garden
4-7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. Join in backyard games and listen to music while sipping on local craft beer and filling up on bites. $8 admission includes one beverage and one food item (bratwurst, pretzel, dill pickles). For ages 5 and older. Park at St. Matthew's Church and follow the signs to the Heritage Farm entrance. Rain or shine. Register in advance at parkfun.com.
Brat/Corn/Beer Festival
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 26, in the parking lot at Tighthead Brewing Company, 161 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein. Enjoy brats, fresh roasted corn and craft beer while listening to live music. Proceeds will benefit the Mundelein-Vernon Hills Rotary Club. Brat, corn and beer: $15; brat and corn: $10; corn: $5. mvhrotary.org.
Chicago Brew Fest
1:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at Rockwell on the River, 3057 N. Rockwell St., Chicago. Taste craft beers and ciders from more than 30 local craft breweries and cider houses while dining on barbecue from Soul & Smoke and more. General admission is $65; VIP (includes access to the VIP area and specialty brews) is $100. Buy tickets at eventbrite.com/. For ages 21 and older only. thetrotterproject.org/brewfest.
Wheaton Brew & Seltzer Fest
Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave., Wheaton. The 11th annual event for ages 21 or older features more than 60 brews and seltzers, food and music from 7th heaven from 2:30-4 p.m. General admission includes 32 2-ounce samples and a commemorative pint glass. Advance tickets cost $60, $25 for designated driver; $5 more at the gate starting at 11 a.m., subject to availability. For ages 21 and older only. A portion of the proceeds benefits DuPage CASA and the DuPage County Historical Museum. wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/brewfest.
Blues, Brews & BBQ
4:30-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19; 3:30-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at Petersen Park, 4300 Peterson Park Road, McHenry. The 11th annual fest features dozens of beers and wines on tap to try along with barbecue, including ribs, pulled pork, brisket, barbecue pulled pork pizza, corn on the cob, ice cream and more. Headliners include Jimmy Nick at 8 p.m. Friday; Kashmir at 6:30 p.m. and Hot Rocks at 9 p.m. Saturday; and the Mike Wheeler Band at 3 p.m. Sunday. $10 or $15 at the gate; free for kids 12 and younger. Three-day pass is $20, $25 at the gate or VIP for $100. mrbbb.com.
Oak Park Microbrew Review
2-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, on Marion Street, between Lake and Pleasant, Oak Park. Taste samples from dozens of regional craft breweries while enjoying live music and food from local restaurants during this annual fest. Main event tickets include a 6-ounce tasting glass and 40 tasting coupons for $60; the Iron Brewer tickets allows early entry from 1-2 p.m. for $80; and the VIP ticket includes an 11-ounce tasting glass, early entry to the VIP lounge with food and beer pairings and access to the Iron Brewer competition for $100. Free for designated drivers; $13 for VIP designated drivers. sevengenerationsahead.org/opmbr.