f96h2 CBS Events

CBS Annual Picnic and War of the Ribs/Chili/Salsa/Dessert

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 2008 results.).

Last year we managed to hold the picnic on the rainiest day in a century, but no matter – we still had an impressive crowd and survival stories that will likely last another 100 years. This year we’ve bribed every local meteorologist to predict bright sunshine and warm temperatures, so it’s in the bag!

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 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.

For a copy of the official picnic flyer so you can save or print out the event information, click here.

f96h2 CBS Events, Past CBS Homebrew Events

Big Brew Day 2009

You are cordially invited to the annual celebration of the American Homebrewers Association‘s Big Brew Day. Homebrewers all across the country will be brewing batches of beer at the same time, including some of us. There are even some standard recipes (which we rarely follow).

Brewers, if you’re planning on coming, contact Randy Mosher (see phone below) so he can save some room.

Of course, the party is mostly non-brewing participants, thank god, as we’d burn down the neighborhood otherwise. It functions as a warped open house event. Doors will be open from 8 am (brewers earlier by special arrangement). As far as food and drink, this is a pitch-in. We usually have a ploughman’s lunch midday, then get the smoker fired up (usually by Joe Preiser, Pitmaster) and eat a hot meat dinner later. We’ll have a grill available as well as the smoker. Don’t show up empty handed. Beer, meat, sides, snacks, and desserts are all welcome. If somebody wants to take charge of Julep fixins, it is Derby Day.

We will have a big pile of firewood for the firepit. You might bring a lawn chair with you if you care what you sit on.

Date & Time: May 2, 2009 8 am-until Roger leaves.

Location: Chez Mosher-Cline, at 1604 W. Lunt Ave, Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. Lunt is 7000 north; that’s 4 blocks from the lake, 2 blocks east of Clark, about a 5 minute walk from the Morse Ave Red Line CTA stop. 773-973-0240. Also easily accessible from the Metra UPN North line stop (Rogers Park), just a couple of blocks away.

f96h2 CBS Events

Day & Night of the Living Ales (Sold Out)

For the fifth consecutive year, CBS will be sponsoring the region’s largest celebration of cask-conditioned ales, with some 40 casks of real ale from Chicagoland breweries and some very special guests. As always, this promises to be a big firkin deal for area real ale enthusiasts. Attendees will be able to sample the beers and then vote for the 2009 Champion Real Ale of Chicagoland. Last year, Surly Brewing swooped in from Minnesota and nicked the title with their Tea-bagged Furious (Hoppy). Will a local brewer take back the honor in ’09? You decide!

Last year we attracted a record crowd, but it was often uncomfortably crowded. As a result, we’ve split the event into two sessions and limited attendance to only 250 people for each session.

Day and Night of the Living Ales will be held at Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 N Clark St, Chicago, over two spirited sessions: 1-5 pm and 6-10 pm (9:45 last call). Admission includes a tasting glass, beer samples and appetizers (artisanal meats and cheeses). You must be 21 or older to be admitted. As of Tuesday evening, March 3, both sessions are now sold out. Thanks!

Thanks once again to all our members and guests for your continuing support of this event. Extra thanks to the Brewers Supply Group for their sponsorship this year.

As always, we recommend that you take public transportation or arrange for a designated driver. Goose Island Wrigleyville is located approximately 2 blocks west of the CTA Red Line Addison station (one-half block south of Wrigley Field). The CTA 22 Clark bus runs past the front door all night; taxis are also an easy option.

f96h2 CBS Events

11th Annual Chicagoland Brewpub & Microbrewery Shootout (Sold Out)

Come out and enjoy the best beers and best foods from Chicago area brewpubs and microbreweries. Sample a bunch of beers and each brewery’s food item and then vote for your favorites (beer, food item, and beer-food combination). Winners will be announced at the end of the event. Support your favorite brewery or brewpub – or discover a new favorite. Either way, you get to taste the very best beer and food that Chicago has to offer.

The Shootout runs from 1-5 pm at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave, Chicago. Tickets are $45 for members, and – due to the overwhelming demand – nonmember tickets will not be available. You must be 21 or older to attend this non-smoking event. NOTE: due to the enormous demand for tickets, the following policy is in effect:

  • An event flyer and ticket order form will be mailed to members only (membership must be valid as of December 1, 2008). Each individual member is allowed to purchase one ticket. Couple members may purchase two tickets. Please do not include orders or requests for additional tickets. Ticket requests must be postmarked no earlier than Monday, December 15th.  Please do not mail your request early. Ticket requests not meeting these criteria will not be honored.
  • Orders will be filled based on postmark date. Once we reach capacity, all unfilled orders will be returned and a sellout will be posted here.
  • If you are unsure of your membership status, please send an email inquiry to membership@chibeer.org (you can use the form on the Contact Us page). If you are not a member, join by December 1, 2008 to be included in the Shootout mailing.

We’re sorry that we have to enforce such strict guidelines, but space is extremely limited and the demand is extremely high. We cannot even guarantee tickets for all our members. Thanks for your unbelievable support for the Shootout. Best of luck with your ticket orders and hope to see you at the IAHC!

As of Monday, December 22, the Shootout is completely sold out. Tickets, or returned checks for orders we were unable to fill, will be sent shortly by postal mail.

f96h2 CBS Events, General CBS News

32nd Annual Fall Tasting & Dinner (Sold Out)

Join us at Rock Bottom Chicago (1 W Grand Ave, Chicago) for the latest edition of the country’s oldest tasting of commercial beers. This will be a blind tasting – beers are served in souvenir CBS glasses to allow you to judge the beers strictly on their own merit. When the formal tasting ends, all the beers will be available for your enjoyment.

Renowned chef Charles Fegert has returned to RB Chicago and is preparing a great meal for us. Check out the official event flyer for all the tasty details, and use the attached form to reserve your tickets.

As of November 13, the Fall Tasting is sold out.

The Chicago Beer Society recommends public transportation or the use of a designated driver for all our tasting events. Rock Bottom is located directly above the CTA Red Line stop at Grand and State. It’s also within walking distance or a short cab ride from all Metra downtown stations.