Suds and summer: Suburbs, city bring on the craft beer fests
Summer's a great time for beer lovers. And craft beer fests across the suburbs provide the chance to try local and lesser-known brews in outdoor settings.
Here's a look at several through Labor Day:
Beer Tasting at Twin Lakes: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, June 8 and Aug. 31, at Twin Lakes Tent, 1200 E. Lake Drive, Palatine. Sample beers from a variety of vendors and nosh on an assortment of snacks. $15 in advance; $20 at the door; $5 food only. saltcreek.multisportsystems.com.
Lombard Ale Fest: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at Lilacia Park, 150 S. Park Ave., Lombard. Fest features more than 80 seasonal craft beers from around the country, plus food trucks. Early entry at noon. Online tickets: early entry $59 or $20 for designated drivers, $49 and $15 for general entry; additional $5 at the gate. lombardalefest.com.
Mundelein Craft Beer Festival: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at the Village of Mundelein, 300 Plaza Circle, Mundelein. Mundelein's seventh annual festival features more than 40 craft beer vendors, music, food and more. $40 in advance, $45 at the door. mundeleincraftbeer.eventbrite.com.
Tri-City Craft Brew Festival: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at Lincoln Park, off Fourth and Main streets, St. Charles. Second annual festival features more than 80 craft beers and ciders, as well as food trucks, music and vendor booths. Fundraising event for St. Charles Breakfast Rotary Club to support local community service organizations. VIP for $65 includes admission at noon, exclusive beer pours and food from Blue Goose from noon to 1 p.m., commemorative pint glass and more. $45 general admission, $18 for designated driver; online fees apply. facebook.com/TriCityBrewFest/.
Hopp on the Vine: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at FoxFire, 17 W. State St., Geneva. Taste local craft beers and multiple wines as well as appetizers. $40 for wine and beer tastings and appetizers; $45 at the door. www.genevachamber.com.
Morton Arboretum Craft Beer Festival: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Toast to the trees with the fifth annual Craft Beer Festival featuring more than 40 breweries, plus food from local restaurants and Arboretum concessions. Tickets: $40-$60 for members; $50-$70 for nonmembers; $15 for designated driver. www.mortonarb.org.
Craft Beer and Wine Festival: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Performance Pavilion at Heritage Park, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Sample more than 40 seasonal beers, wines and ciders at this adults-only event. Live music by Mike Zabrin's Funktastic. $35 through June 22; $45 at the door. www.beerwinefestival.com.
Lake Villa Craft Beer Festival: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at Lehmann Mansion, 485 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lake Villa. The event features music and 30 beer vendors with more than 65 types of beer and wine. Food and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. $10-$75. Admission at 2 p.m. with VIP tickets. www.lake-villa.org.
Pub in the Park: 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. Fourth annual craft beer fest features about 50 craft breweries and home brewers with samples to taste and musical guest Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama. New this year is a food truck festival. Online tickets: VIP for $65; general admission $45; designated driver $15. At the gate, it costs an extra $10. Hosted by People for Parks Foundation of Lake in the Hills Inc. www.pubinthepark.org.
Solstice Hop & Vine Fest: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at Meineke Park, 220 E. Weathersfield Way, Schaumburg. The fest includes music and food, wine and beer from a variety of restaurants, wineries and breweries. Proceeds benefit recreation scholarships and other projects of the Schaumburg Park Foundation. $30. Ages 21 and older only. Free parking at Conant High School with shuttle service. schaumburgparkfoundation.org.
Barrington Brew Fest: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 7, near the Metra station in downtown Barrington. Fest offers music by Barrington-based classic rock cover band Second Time Around. Food and music sponsored by the Barrington Area Council on Aging. All proceeds benefit seniors. $45-$80. www.barringtonbrewfest.com.
Naperville Ale Fest: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. More than 200 American craft beers, music, food from area restaurants and food trucks will be at the sixth annual festival. $49; $19 for designated driver. VIP tickets for $99 allow entry at noon. napervillealefest.com.
Graue Mill Craft Beer Tasting: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 20, at Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 S. York Road, Oak Brook. More than 15 breweries offer more than 50 beers and ciders, as well as food. For ages 21 and older. Advance tickets recommended by mailing a check for $50 to Graue Mill & Museum, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523; include your email address. www.grauemill.org.
Chicago Craft Beer Festival: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (tastings end late afternoon) Saturday and Sunday, July 21-22, at 2200 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. Sample among 70-plus beers at this event, held in conjunction with the Sheffield Music Fest & Garden Walk. $35, $40 on the day of. craftbeerfestivalchicago.com.
Two Brothers for the Love of Hops Festival: Noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28, in the parking lot of the Two Brothers brewery, 30W315 Calumet Ave. West, Warrenville. The beer list will include Two Brothers' favorites, guest beers from breweries across the country and new beers available exclusively at the event. The fest also features music and food. General admission tickets are $5 in advance, $10 day of; beer available for sale. VIP tickets are $60 and include five beers, lunch and dinner buffet, snacks and more. twobrothersbrewing.com.
South Loop Beer & Cider Fest 2018: 4 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at Women's Park and Gardens, 1801 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago. Fest returns for its third year, offering beer and hard ciders from Illinois and beyond. In addition, there will be food trucks, music and more. Must be 21 or older. General admission is $49; designated driver tickets are $15. VIP packages available. www.southloopbeerfest.com.
Wheaton Brew Fest: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton. Annual craft beer fest featuring brews, entertainment and food. A portion of the proceeds will benefit CASA. Ages 21 and older. General admission $45 (day of $60); designated driver $20 (day of $30). VIP tickets available. wheatonparkdistrict.com.
Elgin Craft Beer Fest: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, on the Riverside Promenade in downtown Elgin. More than 60 craft beers and ciders will be available, along with entertainment. VIP tickets are $60: general admission with 20 samples and a commemorative glass is $40 ($45 on day of) and designated driver ticket is $15. elgincraftbeerfest.com.
9th Annual Northshore Wine Beer & Cigar Festival: 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 (hours depending on ticket), on Church Street in downtown Libertyville. Event offers 100 different beers, wines and cigars. Proceeds benefit Libertyville Sunrise Rotary. VIP tickets, offering earlier access, cost $160; general admission is $40. northshorewineandbeerfest.com.