LINCOLN SQUARE — St. Matthias knows how to make friends: Serve up lots of beer and wine.
The parish is hosting its annual "friends of" weekend Friday and Sunday, with festivities focused on craft brews and vino, respectively.
Friends of the Craft Beer Festival kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday and keeps things hyperlocal, featuring samplings from more than a dozen North Side breweries including Alarmist, Aquanaut, Empirical and Lincoln Square's Square Keg Homebrew Club. Live music will be provided by Sausalito.
At Sunday's Friends of the Grape bash, which runs 12:30-6:30 p.m., the emphasis shifts to wine and food. A wide array of varietals will be available for tasting, paired with offerings from local restaurants. A live auction gets under way at 3 p.m. — items up for bid include Blackhawks tickets, a week in Puerta Vallarta and a spa weekend.
Tickets can be bought online and cost $45 per person for Friends of the Craft, $50 per person for Friends of the Grape or $75 per person for a combined pass to both events. There will be no ticket sales at the door for Friends of the Craft.
Proceeds benefit St. Matthias Parish and School, 4910 N. Claremont Ave. Last year's Friends of the Grape alone brought in $40,000 for the school, its largest fundraiser.
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