The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild has announced that Chicago will host the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB). Hosted November 22 and 23 on Chicago’s west side, FoBAB offers two tasting sessions, a national competition and award ceremony, and the opportunity to sample 350+ beer, cider, mead, and perry—many of which are brewed exclusively for (and available only at) the festival.
“For more than 20 years, FoBAB has convened brewers who have perfected the balance of art and science, wood and bourbon, and timing and technique for a one-of-a-kind showcase of brewing craftsmanship and innovation that only FoBAB can achieve,” said Ray Stout, executive director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. “This year, we’ve forged new partnerships that promise to elevate FoBAB and help attendees from coast-to-coast curate a tasting session experience that is as unique as their tastebuds.”
FoBAB will provide two tasting sessions on Friday, November 22 (6:00 – 10:00 p.m.) and Saturday, November 23 (1:00 – 5:00 p.m.) at Credit Union 1 Arena (525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607). Barrel-aged breweries from across the nation will pour 350+ beer, cider, mead, perry from 13 style categories— all of which has been aged in contact with wood.
The second-floor Lager Lounge will offer lighter beers from more than 20 Illinois breweries, while Revolution Brewery’s Super-Zero Lounge is stocked with the brewery’s Super-Zero Hop Water for those seeking a non-alcoholic option. Outdoors, Bardstown Bourbon Company will be pouring samples of three bourbon blends straight from their Kentucky distillery. Concession-style food is available for purchase throughout the festival floor.
Before the first beer is poured at the festival, a panel of judges and industry stewards evaluate all FoBAB entries, awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals as well as ‘Best in Show’ honors across 13 style categories.
This year, FoBAB is inviting attendees to step into the judging seat by nominating their “Fan Favorite” FoBAB pour. Attendees can nominate fans on Facebook, Instagram, or X by sharing the name and photo of their favorite beer, tagging @FoBAB, and including #FoBABFanFav. Nominations will be open through 2:00 p.m. CT during Session 2, and the Fan Favorite Award will be announced at the end of the FoBAB award ceremony.
General admission tickets to FoBAB go on sale Friday, September 13 at 10:00 a.m. CT. New this year, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to skip the line and be named the Ultimate FOBAB VIP. Five winners each session (plus a friend) will get a special badge to skip any line throughout the festival (just can’t hit the same line back-to-back). One grand prize winner each session (and a friend) will be named Ultimate FoBAB VIP for an experience that includes one-hour early entry to the festival, a skip-the-line badge, and access to the Brewers and Sponsors Lounges, which are stocked with beer and catered food. Raffle tickets are $5 each and can be purchased with tickets through November 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be randomly selected and notified the week of the festival.
The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild has announced that Chicago will host the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB). Hosted November 22 and 23 on Chicago’s west side, FoBAB offers two tasting sessions, a national competition and award ceremony, and the opportunity to sample 350+ beer, cider, mead, and perry—many of which are brewed exclusively for (and available only at) the festival.
“For more than 20 years, FoBAB has convened brewers who have perfected the balance of art and science, wood and bourbon, and timing and technique for a one-of-a-kind showcase of brewing craftsmanship and innovation that only FoBAB can achieve,” said Ray Stout, executive director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. “This year, we’ve forged new partnerships that promise to elevate FoBAB and help attendees from coast-to-coast curate a tasting session experience that is as unique as their tastebuds.”
FoBAB will provide two tasting sessions on Friday, November 22 (6:00 – 10:00 p.m.) and Saturday, November 23 (1:00 – 5:00 p.m.) at Credit Union 1 Arena (525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607). Barrel-aged breweries from across the nation will pour 350+ beer, cider, mead, perry from 13 style categories— all of which has been aged in contact with wood.
The second-floor Lager Lounge will offer lighter beers from more than 20 Illinois breweries, while Revolution Brewery’s Super-Zero Lounge is stocked with the brewery’s Super-Zero Hop Water for those seeking a non-alcoholic option. Outdoors, Bardstown Bourbon Company will be pouring samples of three bourbon blends straight from their Kentucky distillery. Concession-style food is available for purchase throughout the festival floor.
Before the first beer is poured at the festival, a panel of judges and industry stewards evaluate all FoBAB entries, awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals as well as ‘Best in Show’ honors across 13 style categories.
This year, FoBAB is inviting attendees to step into the judging seat by nominating their “Fan Favorite” FoBAB pour. Attendees can nominate fans on Facebook, Instagram, or X by sharing the name and photo of their favorite beer, tagging @FoBAB, and including #FoBABFanFav. Nominations will be open through 2:00 p.m. CT during Session 2, and the Fan Favorite Award will be announced at the end of the FoBAB award ceremony.
General admission tickets to FoBAB go on sale Friday, September 13 at 10:00 a.m. CT. New this year, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets to skip the line and be named the Ultimate FOBAB VIP. Five winners each session (plus a friend) will get a special badge to skip any line throughout the festival (just can’t hit the same line back-to-back). One grand prize winner each session (and a friend) will be named Ultimate FoBAB VIP for an experience that includes one-hour early entry to the festival, a skip-the-line badge, and access to the Brewers and Sponsors Lounges, which are stocked with beer and catered food. Raffle tickets are $5 each and can be purchased with tickets through November 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be randomly selected and notified the week of the festival.
Comments
View Comments (0 )
Never miss an eat.
Sign up for breaking news from the Chicago food scene.
Follow Us
Recommended Articles
Like us on Facebook for exclusive news and pictures from the Chicago Food Scene!