This Week's Summertime Kickoff Beer Events & Socials:
Powered by the prospect of extra Sunday night beer drinking
Greetings, friends - another Memorial Day weekend is upon us and with it, the ceremonial start to our summertime beer drinking marathon.1
While Midwestern weather isn’t exactly cooperating right now with those of us looking to pound Oberon Lights by the lakefront, to me, this means we still have a bit of an extra opportunity to crush an extra amber, porter, ESB, mild … you know, anything nice and malty. Maybe you’ve got an old can of Oktoberfest in the back of the fridge. Now’s a great time to polish that off.
If you want to spend some time this weekend taking a fun trip down memory lane, I randomly just remembered that about a decade ago
and I decided that 2015 was the year of the Session IPA in this piece for Time Out Chicago. Ale Syndicate! Ballast Point! Sam Adams Rebel Rider! Non-Voodoo-Ranger New Belgium in their old bottles! Good times. You should take a look. Either way, have a great weekend.Programming note: Since Monday’s a holiday, we’ll probably be hitting pause on our weekly news email. TBD on how energetic I’m feeling on Sunday.
Reminder: Only Premium Subscribers are being sent Wednesday label updates via email. Lite Subscribers can click here to see this week’s big ol’ new Deth option from Revolution. Premium Subscribers get to see additional Rev BA labels plus new BCS barrel labels for this year.
This Friday / Starting Friday:
Dovetail gets the party started a bit early tonight with a 200l gravity keg of Maibock and tuba tunes from Tuba Force.
If you need more official Beer Week fun, the Quad Cities Beer Week kicks off tonight and proceeds through the 30th.
Saturday, May 24:
Mayfestiversary kicks off at Dovetail / Begyle and it’s always super fun. If you’ve never been, go check it out. Don’t forget: They have a secret stage this year.
If you’re in Detroit, Batch Brewing hosts their Reset Fest this weekend, featuring “an eclectic showcase of multi-disciplinary artists from Detroit and around the world.”
If you’re further north in the Mitten, the Michigan Beer & Brat Festival is happening at Crystal Mountain.
Sunday, May 25:
In Lake Zurich, Roaring Table’s Mayfest takes place from noon - 8pm with mugs of Maibock and pils, hot stuffed pretzels and more.
In Park Ridge, go check out the Main Street Craft Beer Fest along with the Beer on the Wall team from noon - 9pm, featuring dozens and dozens of breweries (and a kids zone!).
Wanna play some D&D? Wizards & Whiners at Whiner Beer is the place to be, starting at noon.
Head to Peoria Heights for the second-annual Bust’d Beer Bash at Bust’d Brewing.
Next Week:
On Monday, Marz opens up from noon to 4pm for a little Memorial Day BBQ. Go get some free Polish-Korean food and grab some to-go beverages for your own gathering.
Wednesday, the 28th: Bonsai & Brew returns to Half Acre.
Starting Thursday the 29th: Lincoln Square’s annual Maifest celebration.
Also on Thursday: Scratch Brewing is hosting a beer tasting in Dundee Scotland today. You know, if you happen to be in the neighborhood.
The event portion of our Friday emails remains free and unrestricted, because we want to give you a reason (or three) to visit a local brewery or beer event every week.
Our Social Updates section is now exclusively for Premium Subscribers. We’re extremely thankful for all your ongoing support. You keep these emails going.
A brewery you can ride your jet ski to? In Chicagoland? It’s real, and it’s happening at…