Tom Gustafson CBS Around Town, General CBS News

Help Skeleton Key Brewery

As many of you may have already heard, Skeleton Key, a family owned & operated brewery/taproom in Woodridge, experienced devastating damage to their facility during the tornado on June 20th. They have received news that the building will be condemned, and will need all the help they can get to begin recovery from this terrible event.

The local brewing community has helped us out countless times over the years with events, education, expertise, and so much more – now is our chance to give back. The Chicago Beer Society Board of Directors has made a donation and we’re calling on our fellow members to pitch in as well with whatever amount you can; every bit helps. Let’s show the love & support this group has for our brewing scene with a flood of donations coming from Chicago Beer Society!

DONATE NOW

Funds raised will go towards assisting owners Emily, Paul, & John, & their staff in as many ways as possible. This could include:

  • Immediate relief for staff compensation
  • Rental & purchase of items (trucks, gas, forklifts, etc) to move what can be salvaged
  • Feeding volunteers & staff assisting in moving product & supplies
  • Assistance in rebuilding if/when possible
Hazy Days Festival
Tom Gustafson CBS Events, General CBS News

HAZY DAYS: PART DEUX

Saturday July 31st, 2021
1pm – 5pm

Space Stage Studios – Galaxy Courtyard
1844 W Hubbard (enter courtyard at 455 N Wolcott)
Chicago, IL 60622

It’s been an incredibly long & difficult year for so many, but as things begin to settle into the new “normal” we’re excited to get back to hosting the types of events we’ve been known for over the past 40+ years. With that in mind… these warm, lazy days call for some cold, hazy brews!

Everything from modern hazy hop bombs to traditionally unfiltered zwickels & weizens to more experimental stuff with lactose & fruit, wilds, sours, and milkshake/smoothie styles will be featured at this festival & competition celebrating all things haze.

Attendees will sample and vote for their favorites to crown the champions of Chicagoland from each of three categories: Modern Haze, Traditionally Unfiltered, and Experimental.

A limited number of discounted earlybird tickets are available now. EARLY BIRD SOLD OUT!

Limited GA Tickets remaining…. do not sleep on this one!

Register on Eventbrite

BREWERIES:

FOOD:

MUSIC:

  • photo credit: Frank Osako
  • photo credit: Frank Osako
  • photo credit: Frank Osako
  • photo credit: Frank Osako
  • photo credit: Frank Osako
  • photo credit: Frank Osako
  • photo credit: Frank Osako
  • This is an outdoor rain or shine event – sales are final
  • Attendees must be 21 years or older
  • Admission includes souvenir tasting glass & samples from each brewery
  • We recommend public transportation for all our events
  • Brewer participation may change due to circumstances beyond our control
  • Chicago Beer Society strongly recommends that all attendees be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID test no more than 3 days prior to attending an event

keeping together collage
Tom Gustafson CBS Events, General CBS News

First Thursday: Keeping Together Edition ft. Averie Swanson

In light of the social distancing measures necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19, we are once again going digital for this month’s First Thursday meetup. Join us online at 7pm on Thursday September 3rd to see a few friendly faces & chat about beers we’re enjoying during these crazy times… This month will feature a very special guest; Averie Swanson.

Averie is a beer lover and mixed fermentation enthusiast. She is the Founder and Beermaker of Keeping Together in Chicago, IL, and co-owner and former head brewer of Jester King Brewery in Austin, TX. Averie is one of nineteen people to have earned the certification of Master Cicerone®, and is recognized world-wide for her contribution to farmhouse brewing.

Averie will join us for a tasting & discussion of her two most recent releases:

At the Still Point of the Turning World
Saison made with Buckwheat and Rye | 5.6% abv

I Am Because We Are
Lavender-smoked Saison with Honey | 5.7% abv

Both of these are available for online ordering and curbside pickup at Half Acre’s Lincoln Avenue taproom. Get those orders in ASAP if you’d like to taste along with us as we discuss these truly remarkable beers from an incredibly talented recent addition to the Chicago brewing scene.

We’ll get things going around 7pm so place your orders, pick up the beers, and join us for what is sure to be a great discussion.

cheers!

CBS Logo
Tom Gustafson General CBS News

2020 Events Update

Greetings,

We are writing today to provide an update on the remaining events we had in the works for 2020.

The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented situation for all of us. Due to the (necessary) restrictions in place to prevent further spread of the virus large gatherings have been banned which makes it impossible to host our typical slate of in-person events.

We’d been holding out hope that things might take a dramatic turn for the better but recently received official word from the Cook County Forest Preserve that all remaining 2020 permits for more than 50 persons have been canceled, which unfortunately means that the 2020 Umpteenth Annual picnic will not happen.

In addition to the Picnic, we’ve also been forced to cancel Hazy Days of Summer (July), Spooky Brew Homebrew Competition (October), and the annual Fall Tasting (November). We are beyond disappointed that we won’t be able to gather with everyone over the coming months, but  there isn’t much we can do until the situation improves enough for Illinois to enter Phase 5 or restrictions around the phases are relaxed.

We understand that many of you look to these events, particularly the annual picnic, as the primary reason for your membership. We also understand that times are tough financially right now. With all of this in mind, anyone who would like a refund for a membership renewing between March 2020 – March 2021 can request it by forwarding the PayPal receipt (must include the transaction ID) for their renewal to covidrefund@chibeer.org. Requests sent to other addresses might not get processed.

NOTE: this will NOT cancel your membership – it simply provides the option for a one-time refund of membership fees as recompense for fewer events happening this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are exploring possibilities for virtual events and will keep everyone updated should those plans come together, but either way we hope to be back with more amazing events sometime in 2021.

Thank you for your support.

Stay safe,
Chicago Beer Society

Tom Gustafson General CBS News

CBS | Covid Brewery Support

We’re writing today with a simple update. As many of you already know, our beloved local brewing industry is being hit hard by the limitations enacted to slow the spread of COVID-19, and our favorite spots need all the support they can get to make it though this crisis.

With that in mind we’re calling on the entire CBS community to do what they can to help by making purchases directly from breweries. Even with patios & outdoor areas reopening soon in parts of the state, capacity will be limited and the volume of draft/keg sales will be a fraction of what they used to be. This means that packaged beer sold directly to customers will continue to be one of the best lifelines for many brewers as we wait for things to get back to some semblance of normal.

Below is a list of resources detailing online ordering links, virtual tip jars for brewery & taproom staff, opening hours, contact info, and more for many local breweries.

For over 40 years “CBS” has been a simple acronym for “Chicago Beer Society” but right now let’s help it represent Covid Brewery Supportby visintg these links and placing an order (or three)!

We can’t wait until we’re able to see you all once again out in the real world (preferably bellied up to the bar at a taproom) but until then, cheers and stay safe.

Chicago Beer Society