Illinois Craft Beer Week returns May 8-15; Beer Under Glass is back at Millennium Park May 8

Clear your calendar this spring because Illinois Craft Beer Week is back May 8-15. That means a full week filled with a quality lineup of festivals, events, beer releases 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 off the week in grand style on Friday, May 8, hosted again this year under the towering glass of Chicago’s iconic  skyline — on the acclaimed Millennium Park Harris Theater rooftop terrace (205 E. Randolph Street).

This unique evening features beer samples from more than 100 Illinois craft breweries, most of whom will be available to chat and answer questions as they’re pouring beer. The event runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m., with VIP early entry at 4:30. General admission ($55) and VIP tickets ($65) are on sale now at IllinoisBeer.org

Experience the St. Charles Brew Tour

Nestled in along the Fox River in the far west suburbs, St. Charles is a vibrant community of shops, restaurants, events and — yep, some quality craft beer too. Home to six renowned breweries (Alter Brewing & Kitchen, Pollyanna, 93 Octane, Riverlands, Broken Brix and Brother Chimp), the St. Charles Business Alliance offers a year-round, self-guided brew tour, making it easy to experience the charming taprooms and well-crafted beers at each one.

A little bonus: Check in at all six breweries using the Travel St. Charles app to get yourself an exclusive St. Charles Brew Tour shirt. Get started today at StCalliance.org/brewtour

Streetz Artz Alliance upcoming brewery markets

(All are free to attend and family-friendly).

4/4/26 — Soundgrowler’s Plant Market — Tinley Park, IL
4/11/26 — Nik & Ivy Spring Market — Lockport, IL
4/12/26 — Tighthead Spring Bazaar — Mundelein, IL
4/19/26 — More Brewing Spring Fling — Villa Park, IL
4/26/26 — Wolfden Spring Market — Bloomingdale, IL
5/2/26 — Soundgrowler Cinco de Mayo Artisan Market — Tinley Park, IL
5/3/26 — Crafted at the Oak: Plants & More Market at Imperial Oak Brewing — Willow Springs, IL
5/9/26 — Church Street Bloom & Brews Market — Itasca, IL
5/9/26 — Mai Fest Street Fest — Blue Island, IL
5/17/26 — More Brewing May Fairy Market — Villa Park, IL
5/23/26 — The Hoppy Makers Market at Hopvine — Aurora, IL
5/24/26 — Flurry Artisan Market at Hailstorm — Tinley Park, IL
5/30/26 — Black Horizon Maker’s Market — Willowbrook, IL
5/31/26 — State Street Artisan Market at Art History — Geneva, IL
6/6/26 — Pride Market at Brother Chimp — North Aurora, IL

Find out more information about each of the events at StreetzArtzAlliance.com

Della Days at Chicago’s Old Irving Brewing April 9-12

Della Days is Old Irving Brewing Company’s annual birthday bash for Emily Adella “Della” Race, the namesake of their longtime kölsch and one of the daughters of Charles T. Race, who helped shape the Irving Park neighborhood in 1870. Born April 9, 1857, Della’s name lives on in the beer and in this neighborhood’s story. The train on the label is a nod to Six Corners — once called the “Second City” for the trains into Chicago. So they’re celebrating the best way they know how: great beer, great people and a toast to the community that makes Old Irving what it is.

From April 9–12, they’ll be celebrating Della’s birthday with special offerings, great beer and a focus on the community that continues to make Old Irving Brewing what it is today.

4419 W. Montrose Ave. in Chicago. OldIrvingBrewing.com

Annual Maifest at Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove May 8-9

Celebrate spring the Bavarian way at Buffalo Creek’s annual Maifest the weekend of May 8–9, benefiting Misericordia. The brewery’s scenic one-acre biergarten comes alive with the sights, sounds and traditions of this classic German celebration. Gather with friends and family to welcome the season with the festive ritual of maypole dancing, a centuries-old symbol of renewal and community. Enjoy lively German folk music from Alpine Thunder, as well as authentic German fare and refreshing seasonal beer releases brewed for warmer days. Raise a stein and discover small-batch pours at Lager Lane while enjoying raffles, games and a festive, family-friendly atmosphere filled with music, laughter and great beer — all supporting a wonderful cause.

Friday, May 8 from 4-10 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 from noon-10 p.m.

360 Historical Lane in Long Grove. BuffaloCreekBrewing.com

Keg Grove Brewing’s annual Summerfest and Pub Club Rotary’s BBQ Smoke Show June 6

Mark your calendars, gather your friends and come thirsty to this popular Bloomington brewery’s second annual event that brings together craft beer, BBQ, live music and community.

If you love BBQ, then this is the event for you. Here’s what you can expect: 20 BBQ teams competing to bring you the best smoked meat in town, with 10 judges ready to crown the BBQ champion. A total of 100 People’s Choice tickets will be on sale — this means YOU can have a chance to taste and vote for your favorite BBQ. A portion of the proceeds will go toward providing supplies for local animal shelters, so every bite you take is for a great cause.

In addition, there will be an amazing lineup of live music, food trucks and fresh beer to keep the good vibes going all day long! Visit here to compete in the BBQ competition.

Keg Grove Brewing Company
Saturday, June 6. Doors open at noon.
712 E. Empire Street in Bloomington
KegGroveBrewing.com

Begyle and Dovetail’s Mayfestiversary in Chicago’s Ravenswood May 23-24

Mayfestiversary is happening once again over Memorial Day weekend, as Chicago’s Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery are hosting their annual spring party. The fest, which runs Saturday, May 23 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, May 24 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at the corner of Ravenswood and Belle Plaine between the two breweries, will feature tons of local beer, 10-plus food trucks and kids activities. A $5 suggested donation will benefit The Friendship Center, a local food pantry. Go to Mayfestiversary.com for more info.

The Decatur Craft Beer Festival is back May 2

Join the Decatur Area Arts Council on Saturday, May 2, in Decatur’s Central Park for an afternoon of brews, bites and beats. Sip your way through a variety of craft breweries, then wander through a market-style lineup of local artists and food vendors. Enjoy delicious eats from food trucks, shop unique handmade goods and kick back with live music.

You can even attend a VIP event the night before, featuring exclusive brews, unique tasting experiences and exciting giveaways. 125 N. Water Street in Decatur. For tickets, visit Apps.DecaturArts.org

Long Grove Craft Beer Fest April 25

Gather your crew on Saturday, April 25 for a fun afternoon of craft beer exploration in historic downtown Long Grove. This ninth annual event features unlimited samples of a diverse lineup of craft beers from area breweries, live music, access to food vendors and more from 12-4 p.m. at Brothers’ Field, 340 Old McHenry Road in north suburban Long Grove.

For tickets, visit LongGrove.org

Double Clutch Brewing in Evanston

Brewery deals not to be missed

Not only is Double Clutch Brewery in Evanston known for their award-winning German-style beers and incredible classic car collection, but their weekday happy hour is worth a visit as well. From 3-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, you can get $2 off all appetizers, and everything on tap (beer, wine, cider) is just $5. Located at 2121 Ashland Avenue in Evanston. DoubleClutchBrewing.com

With a beverage purchase, you can get a $12 pizza with up to three toppings Monday-Friday from 12-4 p.m. at Noon Whistle Brewing’s west suburban Lombard location.

Alter Brewing & Kitchen in Oak Brook Terrace has some great $13.99 lunch specials, including a quarter-pound Alter burger, loaded salmon or BBQ shrimp bowl over rice, Italian panini, lemon chicken Greek bowl and more.

At Tinley Park’s Flipside Brewing, you can get a burger and draft beer for $15 on Thursdays. And not just any burger, but their delicious double smash burger.

Kick the week off on the right foot with $5 Monday beers at the fun and comfortable Sturdy Shelter in west suburban Batavia.

Funkytown Brewery plans to open its own facility, taproom in Chicago

Rich Bloomfield, Zach Day and Greg Williams, co-owners of the pioneering black-owned brewery Funkytown, will be opening their own brewing facility and taproom on Chicago’s near west side in 2027.

The location, at 1923 W. Lake Street, was made possible in part by a $3.7 million community development grant earlier this winter courtesy of the city’s Department of Planning and Development.

Launched in 2018, Funkytown has been operating out of the Pilot Project brewing incubator in Logan Square since 2021, and their exciting new venue, which will include a distribution center to handle expansion, is part of a larger upcoming $7 billion development around the United Center. FunkyTownBeer.com