Summer’s final Friday Night Flights is Friday, Sept. 16

It’s been another great summer for Chicago Friday Night Flights. Capping off year six is the Malt Row event in the Ravenswood neighborhood on Chicago’s north side, which has earned the reputation as arguably the city’s most diverse craft-beer destination. 

Expect plenty of fall beer tastings from breweries that call Ravenswood, Irving Park and Lakeview home, as well as a live DJ, great food vendors and more from 6-9 p.m. on Sept. 16. Tickets are $25 and available at ChooseChicago.com

Second District Brew Yards location opening in Wheeling

Already a hit in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, District Brew Yards is set to open its second location this fall, this time on north suburban Wheeling’s Restaurant Row at 700 N. Milwaukee Avenue. If you’re familiar with the area, you’ll know its the site of the former Ram Restaurant and Brewery, which closed in 2019 after an 18-year run in that location. 

The nearly 12,000 square-foot facility has undergone significant renovations, including adding a sizable exterior deck. 

One significant difference with the second version of District Brew Yards is that it will be a type of food hall-meets-beer hall setup, as several new food concepts have been developed in the same space.

The pour-your-own brewery collective will be home to four of the same current breweries as the Chicago location — Burnt City, Around The Bend, Twisted Hippo and Casa Humilde Cerveceria, as well as newcomer Histrionic Brew Labs. 

One significant difference with the second version of District Brew Yards is that it will be a type of food hall-meets-beer hall setup, as several new food concepts have been developed in the same space under the guidance of chef/restauranteur Charlie McKenna (of Lillie’s Q fame). Two things that haven’t changed: Getting to sample a total of 50 beers from five different breweries and getting charged by the ounce for what you pour from wall-mounted taps. DistrictBrewYards.com

Chicago Beer Festival is back at the Field Museum Oct. 8

The Chicago Beer Festival is back at the Field Museum on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 7-11 p.m. with more than 200 beers available to sample. 

General admission ($50) for this unique experience will be 8-11 p.m., and VIP admission ($65) will be 7-11 p.m. In addition to the added hour, VIP admission will include specialty beers poured for the VIP session during the first hour.

The event will feature more than 65 local breweries pouring their fall seasonal beers, with attendees having access to a select number of the museum’s exhibits as well. Admission includes beer samplings, and food will be sold separately. Important note: Tickets will not be sold at the door.  

For information and tickets, visit TheChicagoBeerFestival.com