Illinois Brewing

Top Menu

  • Home
  • Inside Scoop
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact Us

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Inside Scoop
  • Feature Articles
  • IB Insiders
  • Interviews
  • Brewery Focus
    • Brewery Listings
    • Brewery Spotlights
    • Brewer’s Choice
    • Breweries in Bunches
  • Last Call
  • Magazine
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • Inside Scoop
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact Us

logo

Header Banner

Illinois Brewing

  • Home
  • Inside Scoop
  • Feature Articles
  • IB Insiders
  • Interviews
  • Brewery Focus
    • Brewery Listings
    • Brewery Spotlights
    • Brewer’s Choice
    • Breweries in Bunches
  • Last Call
  • Magazine
  • Inside Scoop: Upcoming events like the Will County Craft Beer & Bourbon Fest, Streetz Artz Alliance artisan markets, Keg Grove’s BBQ Smoke Show and more

  • Brewery bites: Dishes from around the state sure to get your stomach growling

  • Brewery spotlight on Springfield’s Engrained Brewing Company

  • Brewer’s Choice: BBGB Brewery’s Bob Salzman

  • Spotlight on Solemn Oath Brewery

Inside Scoop
Home›Inside Scoop›It’s FoBAB time Nov. 3 & 4: Come enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival and competition that celebrates the innovation and craftsmanship of barrel-aged brewing

It’s FoBAB time Nov. 3 & 4: Come enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival and competition that celebrates the innovation and craftsmanship of barrel-aged brewing

By Trent Modglin
November 1, 2023
661
0
Share:

By Ray Stout
Executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild

What the heck is FoBAB?

FoBAB is the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer. Hosted by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, FoBAB is a one-of-a-kind celebration of the innovation and craftsmanship that defines barrel-aged brewing. In fact, Fobab is North America’s largest and most prestigious barrel-aged beer festival and competition. 

Barrel-aged beer?

Illinois is the crown jewel of barrel-aged beer in the U.S. mostly due to the impact of FoBAB on our brewing community.  A wood or barrel-aged beer is a beer that has been aged for some time in a wooden barrel or in contact with wood. The beer is aged with the intention of imparting a unique character of the wood flavor into the beer itself. 

Barrel-aged beer may be aged in wooden barrels (new or previously used to age wine or spirits), or chips, spirals and cubes may be added to the conditioning tanks that normally house beer. A variety of types of wood are used including oak, apple, alder, and hickory. The interior of the barrels is often charred or toasted to further enhance the flavor of the wood.

This year, hundreds of craft breweries from across the country will submit their most exciting wood and barrel-aged beer, cider, mead and perry for judging.

This year, hundreds of craft breweries from across the country will submit their most exciting wood and barrel-aged beer, cider, mead and perry for judging. A panel of expert judges and stewards will evaluate FoBAB entries, awarding gold, silver and bronze medals as well as “Best in Show” honors across 12 style categories. 

Sounds cool, how do I go?

Yes, it’s very cool. Tickets will be available for two tasting sessions coming up this Friday, November 3 (6-10 p.m. with ImBIBE member entry at 5 p.m.), and Saturday, November 4 (1-5 p.m. with ImBIBE member entry at noon) at the UIC Credit Union 1 Arena on Chicago’s near west side, giving attendees the opportunity to sample hundreds of barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads and perries across the 12 categories, each hand-crafted and aged in contact with wood or wood barrels in breweries from coast to coast.

You can buy tickets, find out more, and see past winners at FoBAB.com.

What’s especially cool is that all the proceeds from FoBAB go right back into supporting our non-profit trade organization, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG). Since 1997, the ICBG has been the unified voice for Illinois brewers, supporting member and consumer education, advocating for the modernization of craft beer laws, and promoting craft beer brewed with pride across Illinois.

We hope to see you there.

Tagsbarrel aged beercraft beerFestival of Wood and Barrel-Aged BeerFOBABIllinois BrewingIllinois Craft Brewers Guild
Previous Article

Illinois Brewing Insider: Chicagoland Brews Cruise owner ...

Next Article

Brewer’s Choice: Mickey Finn’s Jason Martens on ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0

Trent Modglin

Related articles More from author

  • Feature Articles

    Business spotlight on TBI Pro Brew Supply: This rapidly growing company isn’t just suppliers, but also consultants with a focus ...

    March 28, 2024
    By Trent Modglin
  • Feature ArticlesFeatured Post

    New beginnings: How perseverance and the support of the Illinois craft brewing community helped Skelton Key and Twisted Hippo back ...

    November 15, 2022
    By Trent Modglin
  • Inside Scoop

    Inside Scoop: Upcoming events like the Will County Craft Beer & Bourbon Fest, Streetz Artz Alliance artisan markets, Keg Grove’s ...

    May 16, 2025
    By Trent Modglin
  • Brewer's Choice

    Brewer’s Choice: Elmhurst Brewing co-owner Frazer Donaldson on Deth’s Tar from Revolution, Kinslahger’s mash-hopped lager and his own 5-year anniversary ...

    January 20, 2023
    By Trent Modglin
  • Feature Articles

    The ICBG: Modernizing laws, educating members and consumers, promoting the industry and hosting great events — it’s what we do at ...

    July 9, 2024
    By Trent Modglin
  • Brewery Spotlights

    Spotlight on Rabid Brewing: There’s no shortage of fun to be had at this SW suburban Homewood brewery, designed with ...

    January 6, 2023
    By Trent Modglin

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You might be interested

  • Interviews

    Q&A with Dan Ochwat and Jessica Sedgwick — This Chicago couple co-authored “Beer Hiking Chicago and Beyond,” a new guidebook made up of a curated collection of 30 family-friendly beer hikes

  • Brewery Spotlights

    Brewery spotlight: The Old Bakery Beer Company in the historic town of Alton is the creation of a talented husband-and-wife duo focused on community, the environment and great beer

  • IB Insiders

    Illinois Brewing Insider Daniel Booth on his admiration of Phase Three, Roaring Table and Art History Brewing, the assortment and community vibes at The Beer Cellar, and why The 1899 Pub is a must-stop in Ohio

Let's Connect

  • 960
    Likes

  • 1,720
    Followers

  • 141
    Followers

Stay in the know. Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter

* indicates required





About us

Sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, Illinois Brewing is printed and distributed quarterly (early January, April, July and October) to more than 250 breweries across the state as well as more than 100 craft beer-focused bars, restaurants and stores. Each member of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s IMBIBE club also receives the magazine in the mail. 

Publisher/owner: Trent Modglin
[email protected]

Art director: Brian Hertel
[email protected]

Illinois Brewing's magazine, website and email newsletter are property of Venture Forth Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023.

Illinois Brewing magazine

illinoisbrewing

Stylish magazine, website and e-mail newsletter focused on the vibrant craft beer scene in Illinois. Sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild

Illinois Brewing's Beer of the week: Lil’ Bison Illinois Brewing's Beer of the week: Lil’ Bison hefeweizen from @sturdyshelterbrewing in west suburban Batavia

Just in time for spring, this German classic is brewed with a Bavarian hefeweizen yeast and is bursting with that traditional banana/clove flavor. Links & Drinks is still happening throughout the western burbs too, so bring your putting stroke.
Our spring issue cover story — Read it now at Il Our spring issue cover story — Read it now at IllinoisBrewing.com

Brewery bites: Great craft beer is everywhere in Illinois, but here are a few dishes we’ve encountered at spots like @openoutcrybrewing @crustbrewing and @destihlbrewery @destihlrestaurant that are sure to get your stomach growling as well
Enjoying a trek around Lake Geneva today with my d Enjoying a trek around Lake Geneva today with my dad and cousin that included a burger and @newglarusbrewing Moon Man at Chuck’s and tasty Wisconsin craft beers at the one and only @owltavern from the likes of @topsyturvybrewery @lakefrontbrewery @duesterbecksbrewingco and @lowdailybeer
So glad the crispy chicken paillard we had on spec So glad the crispy chicken paillard we had on special at @mickey_finns recently made its way onto their regular menu in Libertyville. Such a great spot for dinner, catching the game or kicking back on the patio.
#IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer
A total of 94 craft breweries were pouring at the A total of 94 craft breweries were pouring at the annual #BeerUnderGlass festival from the @ilcraftbeer Guild last night, and believe me, we tried to hit them all. The rooftop terrace of the @harristheaterchicago in @millennium_park proved to be an ideal new location. What a way to kick off Illinois Craft Beer Week. #IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer #illinoisbeer #ilcraftbeerweek
Mark Duchow and Jim Riggs from @adamsstreetbrewery Mark Duchow and Jim Riggs from @adamsstreetbrewery inside the iconic @berghoffchicago just won another medal at the @worldbeercup (a silver for their Der Reisende in the Export Stout category), so it’s safe to say they know what they’re talking about when it comes to favorite local beers that stay true to a style. 

Check out our Brewer’s Choice Q&A from the spring issue where they share a fondness for @offcolorbrewing @doubleclutchbrewery @dovetailbrewery @alarmistbrewing and others, and catch them — along with 80 other Illinois breweries, at the Beer Under Glass festival from @ilcraftbeer this Friday in Chicago. 

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com
The @ilcraftbeer Beer Under Glass festival is sold The @ilcraftbeer Beer Under Glass festival is sold out, y’all. And that begs the question: Which brewery are you looking forward to visiting most this Friday? 

Share your thoughts below and let’s get a discussion going. #IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer
We had to head home from the @brewersassoc annual We had to head home from the @brewersassoc annual Craft Brewers Conference in Indy last week before the winners for the @worldbeercup were announced, but man, what a haul for Illinois. 

Congrats to the following breweries for bringing home a medal from one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world: 
@9thhourbrewing 
@adamsstreetbrewery 
@brothership_brewing 
@gobrewing 
@haymarketbeer 
@revbrewchicago 
@werkforcebrewing 
@whiteoakbrewing
Two of the nearly 400 locations across the state w Two of the nearly 400 locations across the state where you can find our spring issue are a pair of fun spots in Lake County — @blacklung_roundlakebeach and @harborbrewingco in Lake Villa. Keep an eye out for Black Lung’s new location in Grayslake late this summer, and the @hbclakefrontbiergarten is now open for the season at Winthrop Harbor on Lake Michigan

#IllinoisBrewing #craftbeer #visitlakecounty #DrinkIllinois #illinoisbeer
Spotlight on @engrainedbrewery — With an emphasi Spotlight on @engrainedbrewery — With an emphasis on utilizing local produce and livestock, as well as reducing our environmental footprint, this Springfield brewery boasts an “upscale casual” space, farm-to-table menu and wide-ranging beer selection

Read it all now at illinoisbrewing.com
The versatile and spacious @guggmanhausbrewing was The versatile and spacious @guggmanhausbrewing was definitely one of our favorite stops during the @brewersassoc annual Craft Brewers Conference this week in Indianapolis

#craftbeer #brewing #IllinoisBrewing #indianabeer #cbc2025
Promoting the magazine and spending a few days wit Promoting the magazine and spending a few days with good friends from @uniontownbrewingco at the annual @brewersassoc CBC, which draws the finest craft beer industry folks from around the country. Enjoyed events at Indy’s @taxmanbrewing @handlebarhangar and @saintjosephbrewery 

The future is bright for beer.
Illinois Brewing’s Beer of the Week: Holey Jeans Illinois Brewing’s Beer of the Week: Holey Jeans from @keggrovebrewco @keggrovemorris 

This crisp, easy-drinking blueberry American wheat ale is the flagship beer from the popular Keg Grove in Bloomington (now with a second location in Morris, IL). Owner Jeff Mroz and his crew originally brewed Holey Jeans for their wives, many of whom didn’t drink beer before, and it ended up spawning an entire fruited wheat series for the brewery. 

Fun fact: It’s named for a friend of theirs who purchased jeans with holes already in them, which they found hilarious.
For you whiskey/bourbon drinkers out there, may we For you whiskey/bourbon drinkers out there, may we highly suggest getting your hands on the @whiskeyacres cask-finished series that involves bourbon and rye aged a minimum of four years and then finished in maple syrup casks (among others). 

You’ll also find their barrels in use by a lot of quality Illinois breweries like @riverlandsbrewingcompany @pollyannabrewingcompany and @ikeandoakbrewing 

#IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer #illinoisbeer #bourbon #DeKalb
Kudos to @crustbrewing in Rosemont for their new v Kudos to @crustbrewing in Rosemont for their new venture, Crust Taproom, located at 3000 W. Irving Park on Chicago’s NW side. Great pizza, great vibes and ohhh… that Vienna lager
Rock solid craft brewery lineup this weekend for t Rock solid craft brewery lineup this weekend for the ninth annual @enjoylonggrove Craft Beer Festival. Live music, food vendors and some of the state’s finest craft beer on hand.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/long-grove-craft-beer-fest-tickets-1141146884049?aff=oddtdtcreator
Once again this year, @ilcraftbeerweek from @ilcra Once again this year, @ilcraftbeerweek from @ilcraftbeer opens with their cornerstone event — Beer Under Glass (aka BUG) on Friday, May 9 — but this year it’s shifting to the gorgeous rooftop of the Harris Theater overlooking Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. 

Guests will go on a statewide craft beer adventure, mingling with brewers from their favorite craft beer spots, sampling timeless favorites, and discovering new treasures. For more information and tickets to Beer Under Glass, head to Illinoisbeer.org/ICBW
Brewer’s Choice: Bob Salzman from @bbgb_beer and Brewer’s Choice: Bob Salzman from @bbgb_beer and @hardwaregastropub on the gorgeous patio to enjoy his beers, the @weihenstephan_official helles lager and the stylistically perfect cask ales from @arthistorybrewing 

“From mild English ales to very dark beers, the cask ales at @arthistorybrewing are always spot-on stylistically and deliciously creamy and smooth. I appreciate beers that are crafted with an eye to historical accuracy and served appropriately, and they seem to always do it right.”

Read the spotlight from our spring issue now at illinoisbrewing.com
Loved hanging out at the @sewhopdbrewery Mug Club Loved hanging out at the @sewhopdbrewery Mug Club party on Monday in Huntley. The Hey, Hey Hazy IPA, tacos from Del Toro and live music from Michael Patterson were top notch. Didn’t win the raffle, but there’s always next time.
From our big spring issue... Spotlight on @solemn From our big spring issue...

Spotlight on @solemnoathbeer (and @hiddenhandbeer ): Going strong after 13 years — with locations in Naperville and Chicago — this perennial favorite has always focused on a diverse beer lineup, European-like community experiences, and a belief that the brand is an “unfinished idea”

Read the feature now at illinoisbrewing.com
Load More Follow on Instagram

RECENT POSTS

Inside Scoop

Inside Scoop: Upcoming events like the Will County Craft Beer & Bourbon Fest, Streetz Artz ...

Will County Craft Beer and Bourbon Fest May 31 Tickets for the fourth annual Will County Beer & Bourbon Fest, proudly presented by Blue Ribbon Products, are selling quickly. This ...
  • Brewery bites: Dishes from around the state sure to get your stomach growling

    By Trent Modglin
    May 15, 2025
© Copyright Illinois Brewing and Venture Forth Media, LLC. All rights reserved.