Spring and summer are some of the best seasons to take in the Windy City. The beaches are hopping, Navy Pier is warm and walkable, and the city plays host to some of the hottest festivals in the country, including world-renowned music fest Lollapalooza and the Just for Laughs comedy festival. There’s always something to do in Chicago.
If it’s beer you’re into, the warmer months are also high season in Chicago. During spring and summer, the city hosts some of its biggest craft beer festivals and events.
Wheaton Brew Fest
Roughly 20 miles west of downtown, Chicago suburb Wheaton, Ill., plays host to the Wheaton Brew Fest, a single-day event that takes place at the town’s Memorial Park. Food is on the grill and live music takes to the festival stage, as attendees sample more than 100 beers from area brewers, one of the largest gatherings of breweries in the area. Tickets go on sale in early spring for the late summer event, and attendance is limited, meaning you won’t be spend the entire event waiting in line.
Summer Brew
Downtown Chicago’s Lincoln Square is home to the city’s Summer Brew, a single-night street festival that features 15 local craft brews and their makers, with food available from select local restaurants. As a visitor to Chicago’s Summer Brew, you not only get a chance to taste craft beers that aren’t always available to the public, you also get to talk to the creators of those brews. If you’re into home brewing, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn the tips and tricks of pros.
Chicago Craft Beer Festival
Launched in 2012, the aptly named Chicago Craft Beer Festival is one of the newest in the city. The festival takes place over a weekend in early summer on the grounds of Old Town church St. Michael, one of only three structures to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Modeled after traditional Belgian beer fests, the Chicago Craft Beer Festival hosts microbrewers from all over the U.S., serving up more than 75 craft brews, an arts fair, and local musicians.
Fischman Liquors and Tavern
Describing itself as a “friendly neighborhood bar,” Fischman Liquors & Tavern has been named one of the “6 Best Craft Beer Havens” by Chicago Magazine, so it’s worth a stop no matter when you’re in town.
Fischman also has some of the city’s finest craft beer gatherings throughout spring and summer. The tavern’s regular Thursday-evening Tap This! event brings artisanal beers and food trucks to the venue to serve up a rotating-combination of craft beers and regional delicacies, meaning no two events are alike.
Solidarity
No matter what time of year you are in Chicago, keep an eye out for the city’s Solidarity events, which feature 15 to 20 breweries presenting their best or their latest craft beers. These events are held every few months around Chicago with the intention of evening the playing field between the big brand names in beer and local crafters. Hosted by local bars and taverns, Solidarity provides locals and visitors alike with the chance to sample local breweries finest offerings.
Whether you visit Chicago in early spring or late summer, there’s always a tap flowing with craft beer somewhere. Once you know where to look for it, you’ll find Chicago a local brew hotspot.
