The Westmont Winter Beer Festival is Feb. 14

Make plans for one of the highlights of the winter craft-beer scene in Chicagoland, as the 2026 Westmont Winter Beer Festival will again be held in Ty Warner Park in west suburban Westmont. The fest will feature dozens of craft breweries from the Chicagoland area (and even a few from out of state) on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 2-6 p.m. Participants will receive 20 four-ounce pours, and the event will have heated tents, bonfires, outdoor seating and food trucks. Tickets are $50 for general admission, $65 VIP and $70 at the door. For more information, visit WestmontParks.org/BeerFest

Mickey Finn’s in Libertyville

Lake County February Flavor Fest

You’re not going to want to miss the third installment of this massive festival that offers plenty of opportunities to sample some of the state’s best food, craft beer and cocktails. Visit Lake County combines their renowned Lake County Restaurant Week and Libation Trail initiatives into one wide-ranging, taste-tempting event: The February Flavor Festival.

This month-long foodie frenzy is a multi-platform campaign highlighting Lake County restaurants, breweries (think Mickey Finn’s, Tighthead, Roaring Table, Phase Three, Broken Tee, Black Lung, Harbor Brewing, etc.), distilleries and wineries with exclusive dining offers, food and drink pairings, chef demonstrations, inspiring libation concoctions, live entertainment and other fun promotions.

Check in at VisitLakeCounty.org for updated information on the dozens of participating establishments and special events running throughout the festival.

Streetz Artz Alliance – upcoming brewery markets

All are free to attend and most are family friendly.

2/1/2026 — Be Mine Valentine’s Market at Phase Three Brewing in Lake Zurich. 12-5 p.m. Second annual market with gifts perfect for the love of your life, plus burgers, beer and shopping.

2/7/2026 — The Lovers: Valentine’s Market at Soundgrowler Brewing in Tinley Park. 12-5 p.m. Cupid-themed makers market with hearts, arrows, tacos and craft beer. Held primarily indoors.

2/15/2026 — Stupid Cupid #2 Market at Noon Whistle Brewing in Naperville. 12–5 p.m. Broken-heart theme with shopping therapy, pizzas, craft beer and a fully indoor setup.

2/21/2026 — Cards & Memorabilia Market at Imperial Oak Brewing in Brookfield. 12–5 p.m. Debut theme featuring sports cards, collectibles and memorabilia. Likely held indoors.

Subscribe to this group and get more info on events at StreetzArtzAlliance.com

Lake County Craft Beer Festival Feb. 21

The 11th annual Lake County Beer Fest returns Saturday, February 21 with a fun new Fire & Ice twist. Sip with the saints or party with the sinners… either way, get ready for a night of bold flavors and big fun at the Lake County Fairgrounds. The event features local, regional and national breweries, distilleries and wineries plus music, food, games and entertainment. This year’s theme is Fire & Ice — are you fire, or are you ice? Devil or angel? Come dressed to match your vibe and head to Grayslake for an unforgettable evening of craft beverages and fiery fun. Buy your tickets now for an early-bird discount.

VIP entry: 4-9 p.m. ($80)
General admission: 5-9 p.m. ($50-60)
Lake County Fairgrounds
1060 E. Peterson Road in Grayslake
LCFairgrounds.com/beerfest

CHAOS Brew Club’s Stout & Chili Night Jan. 31

It’s the ultimate winter warmer from Chicago’s premier homebrew club. Join the CHAOS Brew Club for the 15th annual Stout & Chili Night on January 31. Enjoy a celebration of bold flavors by pairing dark, complex stouts with hot, spicy chilis to combat the Chiberian chill. CHAOS Brew Club is teaming up with their neighbor, so you will get to explore the club brewhouse and relax in a tropical winter garden next door. CHAOS brewers will have an array of delicious stouts and seasonal beers on tap to sample, while also featuring a flight of six tropical ales along with some NA options to mix things up. There will also be a chili buffet cook-off with all the fixings set up in the brewhouse.

When: Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026
Time: 3-8 p.m.
Where: CHAOS Brew Club, 2417 W. Hubbard Street in Chicago

More information on membership and and tickets: ChaosBrewClub.org

Chicago Beer Festival at the Field Museum Feb. 28

The Chicago Beer Festival will take over the Field Museum on Feb 28 and feature more than 65 breweries pouring seasonal beers, with attendees having access to a select number of the museum’s exhibits. Early admission is $75, and general admission is $60. Early admission will include early entry at 7 p.m. and specialty beers poured during the first hour. Admission includes beer samplings with food sold separately. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Location: Chicago Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

Time: 7-11 p.m. More information and tickets: TheChicagoBeerFestival.com

Design on Draft: Breweries and Beyond exhibition on display at the Design Museum of Chicago through April 13

The Design Museum of Chicago presents Design on Draft: Breweries and Beyond, an exhibition celebrating the artistry, innovation and community at the intersection of design and beer. On display through April 13, 2026, the exhibition is presented in partnership with the Beer Culture Center.

Beer is one of humanity’s oldest design projects, crafted through centuries of experimentation, collaboration and creativity. From hand-lettered labels and distinctive glassware to tap handles, architecture and branding systems, design has shaped how we see, share and experience beer. Design on Draft uncovers how visual and material design define not only the look of a brew, but also its story, identity and place in culture. The exhibition features more than 1,000 cans from 300-plus breweries across Illinois, highlighting the extraordinary breadth of design talent within the state’s vibrant craft-brewing community. Visitors will discover how typography, color and illustration transform aluminum into storytelling, each a piece of design history in itself.

In the “Design Your Own Label” section, visitors can create a custom beer label and explore the creative choices that connect visual design to taste and identity. In partnership with Stern Pinball, Design on Draft also features a selection of free-play pinball machines, celebrating Chicago’s historic role in both beer and arcade design.

Through packaging, branding, media and architecture, the exhibit features work from breweries and designers across Chicago and beyond, illustrating how design drives innovation, community and culture, one pour at a time.

The Design Museum of Chicago is located at 72 E. Randolph Street and is free and open to the public seven days a week from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. To learn more, visit DesignChicago.org/design-on-draft

Famed Siebel Institute bidding Chicago farewell

After more than a century of teaching brewers from around the globe — including many famous names from the industry — the Siebel Institute of Technology announced in late November that it’s leaving Chicago’s West Loop for Montreal.

The school said the decision was based on “the changing dynamics of the global brewing industry and the need for the business to remain competitive and sustainable far into the future.”

Operational costs and increased student visa challenges were significant factors, according to Siebel, whose doors opened in 1872. The move will be effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Crust Brewing in Rosemont

Illinois brewery deals not to be missed

Crust Brewing in Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park entertainment district has a great weekday happy hour from 4-5 p.m. that includes $5 Crust draft beers, $10 pizzas and $7 draft wines.

Pictured: “The Pepperoni,” which includes fresh pepperoni, ricotta, basil, and a drizzle of hot honey. And don’t forget to grab a few pints of their tasty Wreck the Halls holiday ale before it’s gone — complete with a cinnamon and sugar-rimmed glass. Lots of family-friendly activities like ice skating, bowling, virtual reality and Dave & Buster’s in the area too.

Keg Grove Brewing in Bloomington and Morris knows how to get the week started off on the right foot, offering $5 pints and $7 24-ounce drafts on Mondays and $2 off 4-packs to go on Tuesdays. And they have a Snow Day deal too, where every time we see the white stuff in the air, they throw a special out on two of their beers for that day.

Arrowhead Ales in southwest suburban New Lenox has some great specials for NFL games, including $5 drafts during all Bears games and an all-day football menu with $1 wings, $9 mozzarella sticks, $10 loaded fries, $12 slider trio and $10 nachos.

Through Dec. 24 at all Tangled Roots brewery and restaurant locations in Illinois (Ottawa, Washington, Glenview, Vernon Hills, Lockport and South Barrington), you can get $50 bonus card for every $100 in gift cards you purchase. Available in store or online.

Tangled Roots