Author: f96h2

Join us at Reza’s Restaurant (432 W Ontario in River North, Chicago) on Saturday, November 20 for the 34th edition of the country’s oldest tasting of commercial beers. This will be a blind tasting to allow you to judge the specially procured beers strictly on their own merit. When the formal tasting ends, all the beers will be available for your enjoyment. There are a limited amount of seats available. Reservations are due by November 13 and pre-payment is required. Everyone must be 21 or older to attend. NO REFUNDS.

Reza’s is renowned for their fine Persian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine and they’ve prepared a great menu for us that includes:

• Appetizers: Grilled Mushrooms, Baba Ghannouj, Herb Roasted Feta Cheese, Pita and Relishes.
• Entrees: Filet Mignon Shish Kabob, Boneless Breast Chicken Kabob, Shrimp Kabob, Fessenjan (Cornish Hens Simmered in Pomegranate and Walnut Sauce), White Rice, Dill Rice and Grilled Vegetables
• Dessert: Baklava and Bameh (Deep Fried Dough Covered with Honey)

Did you know that the Reza’s space was once Chicago’s first brewpub? Sieben’s River North Brewery opened in the same space in 1987 (a year before Goose Island opened on Clybourn) and closed a few years later.  The Berghoff restaurant took over the space and operated its own brewpub there, but it closed in 1993. Don’t get excited by the sight of the mash tun and brew kettle – they’ve long since been disconnected and are purely decorative now. Odd for a Middle Eastern restaurant, to be sure, but perfectly appropriate for the Chicago Beer Society!

Tickets are $45 for CBS members, $55 for nonmembers. As always, nonmembers who sign up for CBS when making reservations get to pay the member rate. Check out the official event flyer for all the tasty details and use the attached form to reserve your tickets. We look forward to seeing you on the 20th!

The Chicago Beer Society emphasizes responsible consumption and recommends public transportation or the use of a designated driver for all our tasting events. Reza’s  is convenient to the CTA (about a 10 minute walk from the Chicago stop on the Brown Line) and Metra, and is also easily accessible by cab. For more details, visit the Reza’s website and hit Click for Directions to River North Location.

Our annual picnic is always one of our most anticipated events, and with good reason: Every year we supply an extraordinary beer selection backed up by a seemingly endless feast of ribs, chili, salsa, and desserts that are whipped up by our amazing members who compete for trophies in hotly contested competitions (view results).

Last year we bribed Tom Skilling and every other local meteorologist to predict bright sunshine and warm temperatures, and sure enough, we had perfect weather and a record crowd. Not only that, we had 15 superb craft beers and a cider, 8 rib entrants, 20 chilis, 24 salsas, countless desserts, and possibly our greatest picnic ever!

So, plan on bringing the family and your craft beer lovin’ friends – all are welcome and nobody ever goes home hungry or thirsty. The food is amazing – better than you’ll get in any restaurant. And the price? FREE to all CBS members and family who bring a food item to share, or $5 (fidollars) if you come empty handed. Nonmembers bringing foodstuffs pay $5; empty-handed nonmembers must pay $10, but what a deal!

Grab your folding chairs, horseshoes, lawn darts, croquet sets, wiffle balls and bats, etc. and enjoy a great afternoon of phenomenal food, beer, and fun. If you’re interested in participating in the rib competition, contact Randy Mosher. If you want to compete for the other meats (new for 2010 – see flyer below) chili, salsa, or dessert trophies, just bring along your entry and sign up on-site.

Location: LaBagh Woods, Grove 1 in the Cook County Forest Preserve just off the Edens Expressway on Chicago’s North Side (auto entrance on east side of Cicero Avenue, north of Foster). We’re about 1.5 miles from the Jefferson Park stop on the CTA Blue Line, where you can hop a 92 Foster Avenue bus. It’s also not far to the Forest Glen stop on the Metra Milwaukee District North line.

To view the official Picnic Flyer mailed to everybody on our mailing list, click here (PDF).

CBS is pleased to announce its latest Summer event, Deutschland uber Ales und Lagers: A Celebration of Germany.

Join us on Saturday, July 31, at the DANK-HAUS German American Cultural Center, for a great afternoon of German and German-style beers from Europe and the US, plus hearty German food from local merchants (including Laschet’s Inn). You’ll also be able to tour the Lost German Chicago exhibit, featuring art, artifacts, and memorabilia from Chicago’s German-American community.

The price is $35 for CBS members, $45 for nonmembers. As always, anyone who signs up for CBS membership while ordering tickets gets to pay the member price. Everyone on our mailing list will receive this order form soon. This will be the only way to order tickets for everyone eligible for the member discount. Nonmembers can purchase tickets online at Brown Paper Tickets. Admission includes a tasting glass, beer samples and food items. You must be 21 or older to attend. No refunds.

The event will run from 1-5 pm at DANK-HAUS, 4740 N Western Ave, Chicago. We look forward to seeing you there – Prost!