Illinois Craft Beer Week - May 18th-May 25th

May 18^th-May 25^th is the annual Illinois Craft Beer Week. The weeklong festival is focused around….you guessed it BEER! There are several events and activities held at local bars and restaurants but I want to tell you about the two signature events hosted by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild you’ll want to check out. Keep reading on for more details…..

Signature Opening Event:

May 18^th
Event: Beer Under Class
Where: Garfield Park Conservatory
Address: 300 N Central Park, Chicago
Time: 5pm to 9pm
Tickets: http://www.illinoisbeer.org/beer-under-glass

Signature Closing Event:

May 25^th
Event: Good Libations Beer Fest
Where: Theater on the Lake
Address: 2401 N Lake Shore Dr, Lincoln Park
Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Tickets: http://www.illinoisbeer.org/good-libations

Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Announces First-Ever
Illinois Craft Beer Week
#ICBW extends Chicago Craft Beer Week to include events throughout the state

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG), the statewide association that represents more than 160 craft breweries and supports the development and expansion of the craft beer industry in Illinois, today announced it is launching the inaugural Illinois Craft Beer Week this May.

Drawing on the time-honored tradition of Chicago Craft Beer Week, Illinois Craft Beer Week (#ICBW) is the most anticipated celebration of craft beer and craft breweries across Illinois. Hosted annually May 18-25th, ICBW is the premier weeklong festival for people who brew Illinois beer, drink Illinois beer, and support Illinois beer.

Featuring a mix of signature events hosted by the ICBG and hundreds of local craft beer events from Chicago to Central and Downstate Illinois, Illinois Craft Beer Week provides a venue for the state’s independent craft breweries, bars and restaurants to engage the community of craft beer drinkers and enthusiasts through unique events, activities, tap takeovers, and drink specials.

“There’s never been a more exciting time for the Illinois craft beer industry,” says Danielle D’Alessandro, executive director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. “In just five years, the number of craft breweries in Illinois has skyrocketed more than 350 percent. People love craft beer, and we’re excited to bring the craft beer week tradition to establishments across the state.”

This growth translates to revenue and opportunity across the state. In 2016, the Illinois craft beer industry had an estimated $2.6 billion economic impact, supporting nearly 16,000 jobs from distribution and manufacturing to agriculture, hospitality and tourism. Brewery operations rely on Illinois suppliers and farmers and, as they continue to open in smaller towns and previously vacant industrial corridors, they drive traffic to local businesses and restaurants,helping grow and revitalize communities across the state.

In addition to hundreds of events hosted by breweries, bars, and restaurants during Illinois Craft Beer Week, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild will once again officially open and close the weeklong celebration with two signature festivals: Beer Under Glass, held at the Garfield Park Conservatory on May 18, and Good Libations Beer Fest, at Theater on the Lake on May 25th.

Beer Under Glass

Beer Under Glass (BUG), the annual fundraising event to kick off Illinois Craft Beer Week, is held Friday, May 18th at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. This nature-infused craft beer festival invites guests to sample brews from more than 100 craft breweries in one of the world’s largest and most stunning plant conservatories. Proceeds support the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance and Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, and tickets go on sale Friday, March 16th.

Good Libations Beer Fest

Good Libations Beer Fest is an intimate festival in Chicago, marking the return of an official closing event for Illinois Craft Beer Week. Guests will enjoy tropical-inspired craft beer from 50 local and out-of-state breweries and gourmet small bites prepared by Chicago chef Cleetus Friedman against the backdrop of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Creative tropical attire is encouraged, and tickets go on sale Friday, March 30th.

Craft beer enthusiasts across Illinois can begin planning their ICBW activities beginning in mid-April, when the official lineup of Illinois Craft Beer Week events goes live at www.illinoisbeer.org.

About the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild

The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the development and expansion of the craft beer industry in Illinois. Founded in 1997, ICBG focuses its efforts on member and consumer education, legislation and regulatory advocacy, and the promotion of its member craft breweries. Learn more at www.illinoisbeer.org and follow along on Facebook (Illinois Craft Brewers Guild), Twitter (@IllinoisBeer), and Instagram (ILCraftBeer).