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Event Tue May 10 2011

Chicago Craft Beer Week Is Coming

Chicago Craft Beer Week kicks off next Thursday and, based on the schedule, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild who organized the week have outdone themselves this year.

But first thing's first: you'll need your passport. No, not your actual passport (unless you're, you know, a foreigner). This passport, issued by Beer Week organizers, is a handy dandy, pocket-sized book that contains all the need-to-know info about the week's events, participating venues and other bits of relevant what-have-you. It's also your all-access pass into the actual events, so it's très nécessaire. Yours can be had here for the reasonable sum of $10 starting today on the CCBW website.

As I said up top, the schedule is insane, featuring anywhere from six to twelve events every day, many of which are free to passport holders. Some of the best are highlighted after the jump.

May 19
Garfield Park Conservatory - Beer Under Glass
Enjoy the Conservatory at night sipping inventive brews in your souvenir glass from Chicagoland and beyond. Plus tasty small plates from popular local restaurants and other surprises to round out the evening. Beer from over 25 breweries will be available, spread amongst all 7 climates of the conservatory as well as in the great outdoors. All attendees will be given a Passport; Tickets $50 at door.

Jerry's Sandwiches - Tasting of Port/Lost Abbey
They will be featuring Port/Lost Abbey all week. Rare offerings so far include Framboise de Amorosa and Older Viscosity. "Rarer" beers from Port/Lost Abbey and other US brewers will also be made available during the week. 11am-2am

May 20
Prairie Moon Restaurant - Firkin Friday with Arcadia Ales
Arcadia Brewing Company was established in 1996 as a microbrewery specializing in handcrafted British-style ales. Prairie Moon is proud to offer four tap beers from this fine midwestern brewery. In addition to Angler's Ale, Sky High Rye and Cereal Killer, we will also be serving a cask-conditioned firkin of the tasty Whitsun Ale

May 21
Rock Bottom Brewery - Disc Golf Outing
Meet at Rock Bottom downtown for a pint, then head over to the disc golf course at IIT via the red line train (or metra). Extra discs will be available for beginners to use, and they will be paired with more experienced throwers.

Haymarket Pub & Brewery - The Beerfly Alleyfight!
Join us in the Drinking and Writing Theater bar and enjoy samples of beer and food from 10 homebrewers and home chefs, paired perfectly with a local artist. This tri-pairing is a unique way to enjoy a Saturday afternoon! Vote for your favorite beer, food and pairing and enjoy samples of all of Haymarket's beers too!

May 22
Chicago History Museum - Voyage of the IPA -- Chicago Styles
Wes Phillips, Certified Cicerone, discusses the historical significance of the IPA and its place in American craft brewing while you enjoy 4 varying types of IPAs. Brewery reps will join on your journey along the beautiful blue waters of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. It won't take as long as the trip from England to India, but you'll cover more than 200 years of brewing history in 2 hours.

May 23
Rock Bottom Brewery - Pig-out Under the Stars
Monday, May 23rd "Pig-out Under the Stars" Chef & Brewer Dinner. Chef Christopher McCoy will be revisiting this amazing theme. Each course, a finely prepared dish utilizing different cuts of our favorite "other white meat". Each course paired with Rock Bottom and select locally produced beers. Dinner to be served, weather permitting, "al fresco" on our rooftop patio.

May 24

The Map Room - Beer & Sausage with Great Lakes and Founders
Great Lakes & Founders Brewing companies will have 6 beers on tap and 3 pairings of Beer and Sausage: Chicken sausage with orange peel, coriander, and Holy Moses Wit (paired with Great Lakes Holy Moses); Pork and lamb sausage with mint, coconut milk, garam masala, and Double Trouble (paired with Founders Double Trouble); Duck sausage and cranberry (paired with Great Lakes Instigator Doppelbock).

The Bristol - Goose Island and Zagat bring you Sour Night
Featuring select sour beers on draught paired with small plates from Chef Chris Pandel. Chicago Beer Passport 2011 is required for entry. Beers to look out for: Lolita, Madame Rose, Amara (American Wild Ale), Mae (Belgian Style Farmhouse Ale), Matilda and Sofie (plus Juliet in bottles).

May 25
The Publican - 5 Rabbit & Metropolitan Meet & Greet
Sample remarkable beers from 5 Rabbit and Metropolitan while meeting the brewers at The Publican. Appetizers from the eclectic menu of the renowned beer-focused restaurant are complimentary.

Village Tap River North Sales & Service and Chicago History Museum Trolley Tour
Enjoy specialty craft beers from top breweries, and meet their brewmasters. The trolley will run continuously to: Central Waters Brewing @ Local Option Bridgeport Brewery @ Beer Bistro Central City Brewing @ Bangers & Lace Stillwater Artisanal Ales @ The Map Room Uinta Brewing @ Quenchers Brewery Ommegang @ The Village Tap Goose Island @ Paddy Longs Passport is required for trolley transportation

May 26

Burger Bar - Chicago Rogue Beer Dinner
Featuring off-menu items beyond burgers and different beers from Rogue paired to each of the five courses, the night is bound to expand upon any burger lover's notion of a great burger and beer pairing.

May 27

The Map Room - Introducing 5 Rabbit Brewery
Taste the first beers from 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, the first ever Latin microbrewery in the US: 5 RABBIT Golden Ale, 5 LIZARD Latin-Style Witbier and 5 VULTURE Oaxacan-Style Dark Ale. We'll be serving some appetizers and giving away glassware and t-shirts to the first 30 people to buy their beer. Beer author Randy Mosher, who consulted on the recipes, will also join the brewers for the tasting.

 
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Anthony / May 12, 2011 1:16 PM

Hey, thanks for the writeup Andrew but the event actually opens on Thursday the 19th and runs through the 27th. Of course we encourage everyone to start enjoying craft beer as early as Monday, but our official events start Thursday... Cheers!

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Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

The State of Food Writing

By Brandy Gonsoulin

In 2009, food blogging, social media and Yelp were gaining popularity, and America's revered gastronomic magazine Gourmet shuttered after 68 years in business. Former Cook's Illustrated editor-in-chief Chris Kimball followed with an editorial, stating that "The shuttering of Gourmet reminds...
Read this feature »

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