Beer Under Glass kicks off Craft Beer Week May 3

Get excited, because Illinois Craft Beer Week is back May 3-10. That means a full week filled with a dynamic lineup of festivals, events and specials to engage craft beer enthusiasts throughout the state. 

Beer Under Glass (BUG), the cornerstone event for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, will be kicking the week in grand style on Friday, May 3, taking place once again at Chicago’s famed Union Station. This one-of-a-kind evening will feature beer samples from more than 100 Illinois craft breweries, most of whom will be available to chat with you and answer questions as they’re pouring beer. 

VIP tickets are available, allowing one-hour early entry into the festival. Active ImBIBE members receive a complimentary VIP ticket upgrade with general admission purchase. 

Beer Under Glass will be held in the Great Hall at Chicago’s Union Station (225 S. Canal Street) on May 3 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., with VIP admission at 4:30. See page 16 for more information on the week’s events, and visit IllinoisBeer.org and follow the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild on social media for timely updates. 

Beer Under Glass (BUG), a one-of-a-kind evening that features beer samples from more than 100 Illinois craft breweries, will be kicking Craft Beer Week off in grand style on May 3, taking place once again at Chicago’s famed Union Station.

Industry Ales Brewpub close to opening in Chicago’s Loop

Restaurant and nightlife industry veterans Dan Rook, Zack Blazek and Matt Wiegers, along with head brewer Michael Gretz, are inching closer toward the official launch of Industry Ales Brewpub in Chicago’s Loop, right next door to the iconic Central Camera Company.

The three-level, 12,000-square-foot venue is scheduled to feature a beer and dining hall, brewery, cocktail bar and mezzanine. Eventually open for weekend brunch and daily lunch and dinner, guests can expect a contemporary and imaginative menu of Chicago-inspired shared plates, as well as an array of beer options ranging from traditional styles to concoctions inspired by classic cocktails.

Keep an eye on social media for an exact opening date. 230 S. Wabash in Chicago’s Loop. IndustryAles.com

Tonality Brewing Company is open in north suburban Mundelein, hosts NOToberfest April 5-28

As the collaboration of Don Phillips (COO), Tony Bena (head brewer) and Matt Bena (GM, formerly of Wildfire in Lincolnshire), Tonality officially opened in November of last year in an original Mundelein fire station-turned-public works building near the Metra station. 

“We originally started looking at a different property back in 2021, but this was our chance to own the space and properly build it out,” says Zach Gelfand, the brewery’s CEO. “But talks took a year and a half, and then we ran into supply chain issues due to Covid, and everything in this building ended up costing about 40 percent more than we thought it would. But as far as following a dream, we’d do it all over again.”

The business partners, who met randomly at a local home brewing supply store nine years ago, made sure to make the food menu a priority from the very beginning. 

The No. 1 seller at Tonality is the smash burger with bacon onion jam, and you’ll also be pleasantly surprised to find several food items — like the ahi tuna, black cod, mushroom risotto, and short rib — you don’t typically see at a brewery.

The No. 1 seller is the smash burger with bacon onion jam, according to Gelfand, and you’ll also be pleasantly surprised to find several items — like the ahi tuna, black cod, mushroom risotto and short rib — you don’t typically see at a brewery. Tonality, named for the tones on a painter’s palette or the tones on a musical scale, also has a founding principle of supporting local musicians and artists, whom you’ll see plenty of at the brewery. 

As for the beer, check out the Analog kolsch, which is “so clean you can read a newspaper through it,” as well as a West Coast IPA called Fadeaway, the Plasma Shatter blood orange IPA, Tube Screamer hazy pale ale and a hearty Russian imperial stout called Crepuscular. 

Also worth noting is that by the time they opened in early November, the crew at Tonality had missed out on the opportunity to properly celebrate Oktoberfest. So with that in mind, they’ll be spending most of the month of April doing just that with their very own NOToberfest.

For the month-long festivities, Tonality will be tapping an Oktoberfest, a Weizenbock (wheat version of a German-style bock), serving them up in half-liter mugs that are available for purchase. While a few German items are consistent staples of the food menu already — like a tasty schnitzel and pretzels with mustard and cheese sauce — Tonality will be adding more Oktoberfest favorites like a sausage platter and pork shank. Expect live music the opening weekend, April 5-7, as well as plenty of German-themed events and decorations. 169 N. Seymour Ave. in Mundelein. TonalityBrewing.com

Brother Chimp Brewing’s 4-year anniversary weekend March 15-17

Brother Chimp Brewing’s four-year anniversary weekend will be filled with live music, fresh local food trucks, seasonal beer releases and a whole lotta fun!

Friday, March 15 — Their friends from Chuck’s Wood Fired Pizza are serving up their famous pizza from 5-8 p.m. The acoustic rock trio, The Dog & Pony Show, takes the stage from 6-9 p.m. with all of their classic rock favorites.

Saturday, March 16 — This is their fourth anniversary, and the fun starts at 12 p.m. Cousins Maine Lobster will be bringing the freshest lobster dishes straight to your plate from 12-8 p.m. The talented Katie Bogle takes the stage from 2-5 p.m. to entertain us with her funky originals and ’90s jams. Then from 6-9 p.m., Jack Mack & Chad Watson are back to celebrate with some heavy tunes.

Sunday, March 17 — It’s St. Patrick’s Day and things may be getting a little wild! Kitchen Ten Catering will be in the house from 2 p.m. until they sell out, serving up corned beef dinners, sandwiches, appetizers and more. Then they’ll be welcoming back to the stage two epic vocal powerhouses, Cheryl Rodey and Colleen Wild, who will be teaming up from 3-6 p.m.

Brother Chimp Brewing is located at 1059 West Orchard Road in North Aurora. BrotherChimpBrewing.com

Will County Beer & Bourbon Fest June 8

Tickets for the third annual Will County Beer & Bourbon Fest, proudly presented by Blue Ribbon Products, are now on sale. This highly anticipated event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 8, from 12-5 p.m. with VIP entry starting at 11 a.m. The fest will be hosted in the parking lot at Hollywood Casino in Joliet, promising a day filled with delightful brews, premium bourbons and philanthropy. All proceeds from this year’s fest will contribute to the Will County Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build program — a cause dedicated to supporting local veterans in need. The previous edition of the Beer & Bourbon Fest successfully raised an impressive $138,500 for this initiative.

General admission tickets are priced at $65 until April 30, with a modest increase to $75 starting May 1. For those seeking an elevated experience, VIP tickets are available at $125. Attendees can look forward to a diverse array of offerings, including craft beer and bourbon samplings, delectable food trucks, an exclusive VIP area and a variety of merchandise vendors. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to savor unique flavors while contributing to a great cause. Secure your tickets now for an unforgettable day of festivities. For additional details and ticket purchases, visit HabitatWill.org/BBF. Cheers to a day of great tastes and greater purpose!

2024 Makers Trail Festival in southwest Michigan June 8

They’ll be popping corks, tapping kegs and pouring your favorite spirits ’til sunset on June 8 in Bridgman, Michigan. Come party at Weko Beach from 1-7 p.m. — with nothing but gorgeous Lake Michigan to the west and southwest Michigan’s premier wine, beer, cider and spirit makers all in one place. This event is the perfect chance for you and your friends to try new drinks or stick with your go-to favorites using beverage tickets purchased when you arrive. Tickets will be on sale May 1 and are $10 each through June 7 at midnight. Children under 10 are free. Tickets cost $20 the day of the festival, so plan to save by purchasing tickets early.

Free shuttles will run frequently throughout the event, so you can come and go when you please. Parking locations will be a couple of miles from Weko Beach and will be posted online closer to the event. For more information, visit MakersTrail.org/festival

Save the date — Oak Park Microbrew Review is Aug. 17

Save the date for the annual Oak Park Microbrew Review, which will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 in downtown Oak Park. This 17-year-strong beer festival features 60-plus breweries, offering a diverse range of beers, ciders and seltzers. Enjoy food from various restaurants, dance to live music and explore local businesses. The event supports the environmental nonprofit Seven Generations Ahead, and it is the Midwest’s largest zero-waste craft beer fest. Visit www.sevengenerationsahead.org/opmbr for more information. Ticket sales begin in April. Cheers to a day of craft brews and sustainable community support!

Maifest at Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove May 10-11

Spring’s answer to Oktoberfest arrives in May to usher in the new season, and the second annual Maifest in Buffalo Creek’s two-acre biergarten will feature the ancient rite of dancing around the maypole in lederhosen, live German folk music headlined by Alpine Thunder, charity raffles and games benefitting Misericordia, new warm-weather beer releases and special small batches, food trucks, and much more. 360 Historical Lane in north suburban Long Grove. BuffaloCreekBrewing.com

Chicago on Tap benefiting Meals on Wheels is April 25

The annual Chicago on Tap fundraiser will be held Thursday, April 25 from 6-10 p.m. at Theater on the Lake in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Dozens of local breweries and restaurants bring their very best for you to try, providing unlimited tastings of their favorite brews and bites. Experience live music from the Leadfoot Band, games, raffles and one of the best lakefront views in the city, all while supporting a great cause: Meals on Wheels, which raised enough money at least year’s event to provide 13,500 meals to seniors and individuals with disabilities. Theater on the Lake is located at 2401 N. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. For ticket information, visit MealsOnWheelsChicago.org/cot

Brewery deals around the state 

On Thursdays and Fridays, get $5 pints of Lagunitas IPA and Pils at the recently reopened Lagunitas taproom in Chicago (2607 W. 17th Street).

The cozy Wolfden Brewing Company in west suburban Bloomingdale offers $5 pints on Wednesdays. 

Sunday Funday is in effect at Short Fuse Brewing Company in Schiller Park near O’Hare, where they offer 30 percent off beer to go from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Pair Hailstorm Brewing Company’s house-smoked Cubano sandwich with $2 off drafts on Tuesdays at their Tinley Park taproom. And be on the lookout for Hailstorm’s new menu, which arrives in May. 

Eris Brewery & Cider House on Chicago’s far NW side has a stellar weekday happy hour from 4-6 p.m. that includes $5 house cider/beer and 50 percent off select appetizers. And a great patio for warm spring days, too. 

Fishy Fridays are back through March 29 at Half Day Brewing in north suburban Lincolnshire. Enjoy all-you-can-eat fish and chips ($19.99), blackened mahi tacos ($17.99) and mango mahi quesadillas ($15.99). 

Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery in Springfield and Peoria like making Mondays a little easier with $1 off all pints. 

Riverlands Brewing Company in St. Charles has launched a “Happiest of Hours” on Mondays, where from 4-8 p.m. you get 33 percent off every single pour.