This week at LooseKeys, we celebrated Chicago Craft Beer Week and had a couple more beers than you typically see on our desk. With all the events every night, it meant that I needed to take some quick naps during those renders.
Perennial Artisan Ales Beer Dinner
Chicago Craft Beer Week Kicked Off With Beer Under Glass
Last night Chicago Craft Beer Week kicked off with one of the best events of the week, or rather 10 days. The event was Beer Under Glass at the Garfield Park Conservatory. I love beer events when they are in locations that you aren’t typically allowed to drink. Its what makes the opening ceremony of the Craft Brewers Conference great every year and its another thing that makes Chicago Craft Beer Week so much fun.
This years event was even bigger and more spread out than last years. Which made it less crowded feeling… [ READ MORE ]
Beer Under Glass
Beer Under Glass
There were so many great events happening during Chicago Craft Beer Week but one that you shouldn’t have missed was the Beerfly Alley Fight at Haymarket Pub. The Beerfly Alley Fight pairs a dozen home brewers with an amateur chef to create a tasty paring. The two of them are then paired with an artist who creates a piece of art inspired by their beer and food. Ken Hunnemeder entered with his Smoked Alt and to no surprise of the Hop Cast team, took home gold. Ken was pretty busy during the event, serving his Smoked Alt beer paired with his friend Suzanne Wolcott’s gluttonous fried cheese curds. So Brad kept himself busy trying all the other great entries and finding a little time to Chat with Steve Mosqueda about the event he put together. 6 years and going strong, this event needs to be on your calendar for next year.
The kick off of Chicago Craft Beer Week is just days away and there are a few things to know about the week. Brad Chmielewski and Ken Hunnemeder share a beer with one of the volunteer organizers Jonathan Surratt to go over a few details of the 11 day festivities. One of the important items to note are the special lanyards with maps you’re able to pick up at participating neighborhood venues that can be used to track all the locations you visit. Even if you don’t bother with the maps and stickers you’re still going to find a ton of great beers featured around the city. With around 200 participating venues and 160 featured beers to try, it’s going to be a fun 11 days.
If you’re using twitter or Google+ be sure to use the hashtag #CCBW and share all the fantastic venues you’re visiting and beers you’re drinking. We couldn’t be more excited. Cheers and thanks for watching the Hop Cast.
