Chicago Beer Society CBS Event Recaps, General CBS News

2025 FALL TASTING RECAP & VOTING RESULTS

jockey boxes and beer list
cruz blanca champion beer
hop butcher favorite beer
half acre favorite beer
black bean and mushroom slider

BIG thanks to all the attendees, the amazing staff at @uneannee and all he participating breweries for making the 48th Fall Tasting & Dinner another one for the books!

The food was incredible, and we had a unique lineup of beers for everyone to sample. After the blind tasting concluded and all beers were revealed, there were certainly a few surprises!

But before that, attendees voted on their favorites by tap number only, so without knowing the brewery, beer name, style, or even ABV, these were the favorites amongst the crowd:

CHAMPION:

#14 – Cruz Blanca – Champurrado (Willett BA Stout w/ Oaxacan Chocolate & Spicy Mexican Cinnamon – 13%)

FAVORITE:

#11: Hop Butcher – Be Alert For Foul Balls (Hazy IPA  – 6.75%)

FAVORITE:

#2: Half Acre – Ridge Tree (Dark Czech Lager – 4.6%)

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Thanks again to everyone involved for making this another special night, and stay tuned for details on our next two upcoming events:

Saturday, January 31, 2026: THE BREWPUB SHOOTOUT

Saturday April 18, 2026: LEGENDS of LAGER 3

collage featuring food items and the interior of une annee brewery
Chicago Beer Society General CBS News

2025 Fall Tasting & Dinner

Saturday, October 18th 2025 | 5pm – 9pm

Une Année | Hubbard’s Cave Brewery & Barbecue

BUY TICKETS NOW!

This year’s tasting will be our 48th — continuing its legacy as one of the oldest and longest running beer events in the country!

For the 2025 edition, we’ve planned an incredible evening with our friends at Une Annee | Hubbard’s Cave, where we’ll be taking over their private event space directly inside the brewery for this one-of-a-kind event.

Attendees will participate in a blind tasting of over a dozen Chicagoland craft beers before voting on their favorites. This allows the specially procured beers to be judged strictly on their own merits. When the blind portion of the tasting ends, the beers will be revealed and will remain available for your continued enjoyment, so feel free to go back for repeated samples of all of your favorites!

Our menu for the evening features a smorgasbord of BBQ delicacies from the talented kitchen crew at Une Année I Hubbard’s Cave.

APPETIZERS

  • Honey Herbed Goat Cheese Spread and Focaccia Crisps (v) – Wildflower Honey, green onion, dill, garlic
  • Pretzel Bites (v) – Cheese and Cave Monster Sauce
  • Seasoned Frites (vg) – Sweet & spicy house rub

ENTREES*

  • BBQ Brisket Sliders – Smoked brisket, house bbq sauce
  • Pulled Pork Sliders – Pork shoulder, sweet & spicy house rub
  • Black Bean and Mushroom Sliders (vg) – Aioli on the side (v)
  • Smoked Hot Wings – Mojo marinade, smoked, tossed in hot sauce. Non spicy option available.
  • Baby Back Ribs – Memphis style dry-rubbed and smoked until tender.

SIDES

  • Gross Point Salad (v/vg) – Baby greens & red lettuce, grape tomatoes, red onion, walnuts, crumbled goat cheese, dried cranberries, garlic parmesan croutons, balsamic vinaigrette. Vegan option available without cheese.
  • Smoked Sweet Potatoes (vg) – Skin on, canola oil, salt & pepper
  • Mac N Cheese (v) – Rich and creamy five-cheese sauce

v = vegetarian | vg = vegan

* = vegan substitutes available upon request during ticket purchase

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TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

  • CBS Members may purchase up to 8 tickets at the discounted member rate.
  • Capacity is limited and we expect this event to sell out, so don’t hesitate – secure your spot ASAP!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

THE FINE PRINT:

  • 21+ to attend. No children. No refunds
  • Ticket includes a souvenir tasting glass + all food and beer
  • Chicago Beer Society recommends using ride share or public transportation for all our events
  • Imbibe responsibly; anyone who is visibly intoxicated or causing problems for themselves, attendees, or event staff may be asked to leave
BUY TICKETS NOW
crowd enjoying beer festival
Chicago Beer Society CBS Event Recaps, General CBS News

LEGENDS of LAGER 2 Recap

On Saturday, April 26th we welcomed 23 breweries, 2 food vendors, 1 cheesemonger and about 150 lager-loving attendees to the 2nd annual LEGENDS of LAGER festival & competition.

The food from Alo Arepa Co. and Chicago Secret Squares was incredible, but as with any CBS event, the beers were the true stars of the show.

With many, MANY great options on hand, the competition was fierce but in the end a few standouts took home the hardware.

CHAMPION BEER:

Goldfinger x Pollyanna – Back of the Rhine (Alsatian-style Lager)

FAVORITE BEERS:

Homewood Brewing Company – Conversations (Mexican Lager)

Cruz Blanca – Tequila Barrel Aged Lime + Salt Chelada (Mexican Lager)

BOARD AWARD (beer that best represented the true spirit of the event):

Cruz Blanca – Vienna Lager (Gravity Keg)

Huge thanks to everyone who came out, to the participating brewers whose generosity helps make these events possible, to the SUPERB food vendors, to our great host Duneyrr Wine & Beer Co. and especially to the amazing volunteers who helped throughout the day!

We truly can’t do it without y’all ❤️

See you next year at LoL3!

collage of images showcasing food, drink, and events space at Other Half Ramova Grill & Taproom
Chicago Beer Society General CBS News

The 47th Annual Fall Tasting & Dinner

Friday November 15th, 2024 | 6pm – 10pm
Other Half Ramova Grill & Taproom
3520 S Halsted St | Chicago, IL

GET TICKETS HERE

This year’s tasting will be our 47th — continuing it’s legacy as one of the oldest and longest running beer events in the country!

For the 2024 edition, we’ve planned an incredible evening at a great new brewery & venue, the Other Half Ramova Grill & Taproom, where we’ll be taking over their private loft event space for this one-of-a-kind event.

Attendees will participate in a blind tasting of over a dozen Chicagoland craft beers before voting on their favorites. This allows the specially procured beers to be judged strictly on their own merits. When the blind portion of the tasting ends, the beers will be revealed and will remain available for your continued enjoyment, so feel free to go back for repeated samples of all of your favorites!

Our menu for the evening features a 6-courses from the Ramova Taproom & Grill:

Hummus (vg)
w/Dukkah, Balsamic, Olive Oil & Fresh Made Pita Bread

Farro Salad (v)
w/Seasonal Pickles, Feta, and Roasted Vegetables

Creamy Polenta (v)
w/Goat Cheese and Herbs

Crispy Brussels Sprouts (vg)
w/Chili Crisp

Grilled Chicken Breast*
w/Ginger Lime Vinaigrette

Seasonal Fruit Crumble* (v)
w/Whipped Creme Fraich

v = vegetarian | vg = vegan

* = vegan substitutes available upon request during ticket purchase

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

GET TICKETS HERE

  • CBS Members may purchase up to 8 tickets at the discounted member rate.
  • Capacity is limited and we expect this event to sell out, so don’t hesitate – secure your spot ASAP!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

THE FINE PRINT:

  • 21+ to attend. No children. No refunds
  • Ticket includes a souvenir tasting glass + all food and beer
  • Chicago Beer Society recommends using ride share or public transportation for all our events
  • Imbibe responsibly; anyone who is visibly intoxicated or causing problems for themselves, attendees, or event staff may be asked to leave

BPSO XXV
Chicago Beer Society General CBS News

BPSO XXV: The 25th Annual Brewpub Shootout

BUY TICKETS

Saturday February 17th, 2024 // 1pm – 5pm
Half Acre Beer Co.
2050 W Balmoral Ave Chicago, IL

Come out and enjoy the best beers paired with the best food from Chicago-area brewpubs and microbreweries. Attendees will sample a wide variety of beers as well as each brewpub’s food items and vote for their favorite beer, food, and pairing. Winners will be announced at the end of the event and presented with their hard earned awards.

For the 25th BPSO, we are moving the event to a very exciting new venue, Half Acre Brewing which offers a unique space that should provide for an amazing BPSO experience.

Current CBS members are now able to purchase tickets at the discounted member rate of $75. Use the the code or link you received via email to purchase tickets. If you have issues, please email info@chibeer.org for assistance.

Individual members can purchase up to 2 tickets. Couples memberships can purchase up to 4 tickets. Your unique code can be used to purchase tickets one time only.

Non-members will be able to purchase any remaining tickets starting at Noon Central on Friday January 12th 2024 for $85 each.

Come to support your favorite brewery/brewpub or discover a new favorite – either way, you get to taste the very best beer and food that Chicago has to offer.

NOTE: Parking around Half Acre is EXTREMELY limited. We strongly suggest that all attendees use public transit and/or rideshare options.

PARTICIPATING BREWERIES:

SEE YOU THERE!

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– Ticket sales are final

– Attendees must be 21 years or older (no children, no pets)

– Admission includes all beer & food samples from each brewery/brewpub

– Brewery and chef participation is subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control

– Parking is lextremely imited. We strongly suggest that all attendees use public transit and/or rideshare options to attend the event.

– Visit our website for information: www.CHIBEER.org