Author: Tom Gustafson

The national drink of Great Britain, cask conditioned ales have been served for centuries. Before brewers fell in love with artificial carbonation and filtering, beer was naturally conditioned by yeast in the cask, and served at a temperature warm enough to actually taste the beer. A properly served cask ale is neither cloudy, flat, nor warm; rather it is bright, with a gentle carbonation, and served at cellar temperature.

Sample a vast array of different beers at our walk-around tasting featuring the best cask conditioned ales from Chicagoland breweries and specially selected guests. Food will be available for purchase.

>>> NEW FOR THIS YEAR: CHEESE CHEESE CHEESE! <<<

During the afternoon session Hook’s Cheese, Mineral Point Wisconsin, will sample one of its blue cheeses, a sheep milk Gouda, a mixed milk number called Triple Play, and Hook’s classic 5-year-old cheddar.

For the evening session, Dave Phillips of Cheese and Cheers (and an active member of the Chicago Beer Society) will sample a specially-curated selection of cheddars, blues and odd styles that pair well with cask beer. All the cheeses will be available for purchase at Potash Markets State Street, where Phillips spends his days running the chain’s gourmet cheese department.

Casks are handled by the Chicago Beer Society’s own experienced cellarmen, trained in the UK to care for and serve real ale. Attendees will vote on their favorites to crown The Champion Real Ales of Chicagoland for 2018!

Admission includes souvenir tasting glass, program & beer samples. All ticket sales and sessions chosen are final. All beers will be available for both the afternoon and evening sessions.

Participating Breweries:

All Rise
Alter
Around the Bend
Burning Bush
Church Street
Dovetail
Finch Beer Co
Goose Island Clybourn Brewhouse
Goose Island Fulton Street
Hailstorm
Half Acre
Haymarket
Hopvine
Illuminated Brew Works
Imperial Oak
Lake Effect
Metropolitan
Noon Whistle
Off Color
On Tour
Open Outcry
Prairie Street
Revolution
Roaring Table
Rock Bottom Chicago
Rock Bottom Orland Park
Rock Bottom Warrenville
Rolling Meadows Farm Brewery
Sketchbook
Spiteful
Tighthead
Two Brothers
Urban Renewal
Werk Force

*Note that sometimes beer gets spilled. Brewery participation is subject to change based on factors beyond our control.