Opening Event
On Friday, May 18th, Illinois Craft Beer Week kicks off with Beer Under Glass, a nature-infused craft beer festival and fundraiser at Garfield Park Conservatory, one of the world’s largest and most stunning plant conservatories.
A cornerstone of Illinois Craft Beer Week, Beer Under Glass, now in its 9th year, is hosted by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance (GPCA). Guests are invited to sample brews from more than 100 Illinois and out-of-state craft breweries while enjoying exclusive, after-hours access to the Conservatory’s indoor collections and outdoor gardens. Food and beverages from some of Chicago’s best local restaurants and food trucks is available throughout the Conservatory.
More than just great beer, Beer Under Glass is a festival with a purpose. Proceeds from the event support GPCA’s mission to change lives through the power of nature and connect people to plants, and the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s mission to support the development and expansion of the craft beer industry in Illinois through education, legislation, and promotion.
Closing Event
Good Libations Beer Fest, the official closing event of Illinois Craft Beer Week, is an intimate festival that brings the tropics to the Chicago lakefront. Hosted at Theater on the Lake against the backdrop of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, this unique event challenges brewers to be creative by producing and pouring their favorite tropical brews. Guests are invited to sip on tropical-inspired craft beer from more than 60 local and out-of-state breweries and sample gourmet small bites prepared by Chicago chef Cleetus Friedman. Creative tropical attire is encouraged.
Good Libations kicks off at 6:00 PM on Friday, May 25. Ticket holders will enjoy samples from more than 60 different breweries, gourmet small bites, and breathtaking views of the lakefront.
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., March 16, 2018 – 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.
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.
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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).
