Chicago set to host the 23rd edition of the nation’s largest, most prestigious craft beer festival of its kind, raising funds for the Illinois craft brewing industry

The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild will be hosting North America’s largest and most prestigious barrel-aged beer festival, competition, and fundraiser, the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB), on Nov. 7-8. The nationally recognized event, now in its 23rd year, brings the top wood and barrel-aging brewmasters and craft beer’s biggest enthusiasts to the heart of Chicago’s west side.

Established in Chicago in 2002, FoBAB convenes the nation’s top brewing innovators and risk-takers — brewers who have perfected the complex, time-intensive process of aging craft beer in barrels formerly housing bourbon, whiskey, wine, and other unique ingredients. The result is a showcase of hundreds of craft beer’s most complex pours from breweries across the country.

This year, FoBAB takes flight Nov. 7-8 on Chicago’s west side, promising attendees two dynamic tasting sessions, a renowned national competition, and a one-of-a-kind opportunity to sample more than 300 unique beers, ciders, meads, and perrys — many of which are brewed exclusively for (and available only at) the festival.

“FoBAB is more than a beer festival — it’s a showcase of craftsmanship and creativity,” says Katie Carrier, associate director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. “Each year, we see brewers pushing the boundaries of what barrel-aged beer can be, and 2025 will be no exception. From bold stouts to complex wild ales, the lineup reflects the innovation, precision and complexity that defines barrel-aged beer and makes this one of the anticipated events in the country.”

This renowned national competition is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to sample more than 300 unique beers, ciders, meads, and perrys — many of which are brewed exclusively for the festival.

The festival

Experience FoBAB in two tasting sessions on Friday, Nov. 7 (6-10 p.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 8 (1-5 p.m.) at Credit Union 1 Arena (525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607). More than 150 renowned breweries from across the nation will pour 300+ barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads and perrys from 13 style categories — all of which have been strategically aged in contact with wood, creating depth, flavor, and texture that is impossible to achieve otherwise.

Tickets include access to the second-floor Lager Lounge stocked with lighter pours from dozens of local breweries. Sip on the latest pours and trending brews from across Illinois while enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the festival floor and a reprieve from the traditional higher ABV samples poured at FoBAB. Concession-style food is available for purchase throughout the festival floor.

This year, attendees are invited to step into the judging seat by voting for the “fan favorite” FoBAB entry.

The competition

Before the first beer is poured at the festival, a panel of expert judges and industry stewards evaluate all FoBAB entries, awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals as well as “Best in Show” honors across 13 style categories, as breweries compete for hardware and bragging rights in what is considered the most prestigious barrel-aged beer competition of its kind.

The FoBAB award ceremony will be hosted during session #2 on Saturday and will be live streamed on the FoBAB Facebook Page and Illinois Craft Brewers Guild YouTube channel. The full list of competition categories can be found at FoBAB.com

This year, attendees are invited to step into the judging seat by voting for their favorite FoBAB entry. Ballot boxes will be positioned throughout the venue, so once you’ve identified your favorite pour, submit your written nomination to the ballot box. The “Fan Favorite” award will be announced at each session.

Ticketing & raffle experiences

General admission tickets to FoBAB are $85 plus processing at FoBAB.com. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to customize their festival experience. Five winners each session (plus a friend) will win a SKIP THE LINE badge with privileges to skip any line throughout the festival (just can’t hit the same line back-to-back). Three winners (plus a friend) each session will be named ULTIMATE FOBAB VIPs, unlocking one-hour early entry to the festival, a skip-the-line badge, and access to the Brewers and Sponsor Lounges, which are stocked with beer and catered food.

Skip-the-line raffle tickets are $5 each, and Ultimate FoBAB VIP raffle tickets are $10 each. Raffle tickets can be purchased with tickets through Nov. 4 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be randomly selected and notified on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

When you purchase a ticket to FoBAB, you are supporting the single largest annual fundraiser for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, the nonprofit trade association that supports and defends Illinois craft breweries. For more information, visit FoBAB.com, or follow FoBAB on Facebook (@FoBABOfficial), X (@FoBABOfficial) and Instagram (@fobab) for real-time updates.

Festival schedule

Friday, Nov. 7 — 6-10 p.m. (one hour early for VIPs)
Saturday, Nov. 8 — 1-5 p.m. (one hour early for VIPs)

Location: UIC Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Avenue in Chicago