Save the Date: FOBAB 2023 is Nov. 3-4 at Chicago’s Credit One Arena

FOBAB is set to return to Chicago’s Credit One Arena at the University of Illinois Chicago on November 3 and 4, 2023. The Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer (FOBAB) is North America’s largest and most prestigious barrel-aged beer competition. Hosting breweries from across the country, as well as some international entries, FOBAB attendees are given an opportunity to sample some of the rarest beers from more than 200 participating breweries. 

Want to get access to pre-sale tickets (with one-hour early entry) for the 2023 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer in November, have Illinois Brewing magazine mailed directly to your house, get a VIP upgrade with early access to Beer Under Glass at Chicago’s Union Station, as well as some other awesome perks? Join our IL craft beer enthusiast program today at IllinoisBeer.org/imbibe 

All money from this program goes directly to supporting the non-profit Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. 

FOBAB tickets are on sale now at FOBAB.com

Eris Brewery and Cider House

Choose Chicago launches Chicago Brew Pass in partnership with local breweries

Choose Chicago announced the launch of the Chicago Brew Pass, a new initiative to promote exploration of Chicago’s award-winning craft brewery scene. Through the Brew Pass, the first-ever digital pass of its kind in Chicago, locals and visitors can check in at breweries across the city and earn points that can be redeemed for fun, limited-edition prizes. Participants can use the Brew Pass to explore more than 20 participating craft breweries at their own pace and start earning rewards one pint at a time.

Individuals must be 21 or over to participate and the program runs through January 31, 2024. Interested participants can sign up at ChooseChicago.com to begin earning rewards  — no downloads or mobile apps are required. Once you sign up, you will receive a mobile passport via text, which can be saved to your phone’s home screen for easy access. When visiting a participating brewery, simply check in via the digital pass to collect points. The more you explore, the more points you earn.

Points can be redeemed for limited-edition prizes including a variety of gear and sweepstakes entry for the ultimate Chicago weekend experience for two, which includes:

*A two-night hotel stay for two in downtown Chicago
*$100 restaurant gift card
*Two theater tickets
*Two CityPASS tickets

“I’m excited to see the Chicago Brew Pass go live and for craft beer enthusiasts to use it as a guide for visiting Chicago’s awesome breweries and taprooms,” says Ray Stout, Executive Director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. “A lot of the craft breweries in Chicago are in former industrial spaces that are transformed into gathering places for their local communities and destinations for tourists, and I’m glad people will get to see that unique feature of the city through this program.”

Click here for more information on the Chicago Brew Pass.

Final “Friday Night Flights” will be at the Taste of Chicago Sept. 8

The final Friday Night Flights event of 2023 will be held in conjunction with Taste of Chicago in Grant Park on Friday, September 8 from 4-9 p.m. Attendees will be able to sample beer from 25 local craft breweries while taking advantage of more tan 35 of Chicago’s favorite food vendors and 15 food trucks at the iconic food festival.

Additionally, the event will feature free live music throughout the day, including the headline act that night, Masters of the Mic: Hip Hop 50 featuring Doug E. Fresh, EPMD, KRS-One, and Slick Rick.