RAVENSWOOD — Lincoln Square, North Center and Ravenswood are at the hub of Chicago's thriving craft beer scene, so it's only fitting that Welles Park will play host to Chicago Craft Beer Week's closing festival on Saturday.
Tickets to the Welles Park Craft Beer Fest, 1-5 p.m., 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave., are $60 for general admission, which includes tastings and a sampling glass. VIP admission costs $80 for an extra hour of drinking (enter at noon) and includes $10 in food tickets. (Click here to purchase.)
Designated drivers and non-beer drinkers can enter the fest for free without a ticket.
But before the weekend arrives, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the area's breweries. Unless otherwise indicated, no ticket or admission required.
Monday
• Beer and yoga at Begyle: 6:30 p.m.; $25 for an hour of yoga and two flights of beer; bring a mat, water and a towel; 1800 W. Cuyler Ave.
• Spiteful tap takeover at Four Moon Tavern, 5p.m., 1847 W. Roscoe St.
• Empirical, Aquanaut and Half Acre are in the spotlight at Jerry's Andersonville, 7 p.m., 5419 N. Clark St.
• Whiskey-infused 2 Sheeps Derby Cartwheel release at Fountainhead, 5 p.m., 1970 W. Montrose Ave.
Tuesday
• Fountainhead will turn over its entire draft tower to sours beers from Destihl Brewery, 6 p.m., 1970 W. Montrose Ave.
• Trivia night at Empirical Brewery, 7:30-10 p.m., 1801 W. Foster Ave.
Wednesday
• The Northman cider pub will feature ciders, cheeses and seafood from the Spanish region of Asturias. Guests can enjoy table-side long pours of Spanish cider, 4 p.m. to midnight, 4337 N. Lincoln Ave.
• Brown Line Brews at the Long Room showcases breweries along the CTA Brown Line — Aquanaut, Begyle, Empirical, Half Acre, Metropolitan, Spiteful and the debut of Dovetail. Food pairings by Beard and Belly, 6-9 p.m., 1612 W. Irving Park Road.
Thursday
• Empirical Brewery is rolling out five barrel-aged beers, including a brew flavored with mocha chai tea. The taproom opens at noon, 1801 W. Foster Ave.
• Meet the artists who create craft beer labels, 5 p.m., the Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe St. Enjoy beers from the featured breweries, including Half Acre, Pipeworks, Aquanaut and Surly.
• Celebrate the women of craft beer with special tappings, featured pints and more, 7-11 p.m., Riverview Tavern, 1958 W. Roscoe St.
Friday
• Aquanaut, Begyle, Empirical and Metropolitan are among the breweries participating in Bitter Pops' Ultra Fresh Brews. All the beers have been packaged within days of the event, 6-9 p.m., 3345 N. Lincoln Ave.
Saturday
• Can't make it to the Welles Park Craft Beer Fest? Montrose Saloon and Begyle Brewing are hosting a back yard barbecue after-party. Lawn games, Begyle beers, sausages and more, 5-11 p.m., 2933 W. Montrose Ave.
• Show your Welles Park fest wristband at Band of Bohemia and they'll pour you a free 12-ounce beer with your first small plate order, 4710 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Read more:
Dovetail Brewery's Taproom Opening Soon, Prepare For Some Wild Beers
Aquanaut Brewery, Budlong Chicken To Team On Devon Avenue Brewpub
Stray Cats Guard Chicago Brewery, Protect Precious Beer Grain From Rats
Half Acre, Now A Chicago Craft Beer Graybeard, Is Getting More Whimsical
Spiteful Brewing in Ravenswood Prepares to Compete with the Tallboys
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