May’s most important annual tradition — Chicago Craft Beer Week — jumps off tomorrow. On tap: 10 glorious days of special releases and rare brews from the country’s finest brewmasters. Below: CCBW’s five best events, the best beers to try at each, and how to regard said beers like a pro. Also: we’ve got two tickets to Goose Island’s sold-out Sunday Funday. Details below.
1. Beer Under Glass
What: The official CCBW kick-off event at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Tickets, surprisingly, are still available.
Drink This: With 75+ breweries, you will not want for choices. Pay our favorite local up-and-comers a visit first: Destihl (get a Here Gose Nothin’) and Middle Brow (they’re tapping a Moscow Mule Kombucha Beer).
Say This: “BUG,” proper acronym. Never “Beer Under Glass.”
Don’t Say This: “BUG’s gotten too popular. It’s nothing like it was back in 2009.”
2. Goose Island’s Sunday Funday
What: An inter-brewery dodgeball tournament at Goose Island’s new barrelhouse. This one’s sold out, but we have a pair of tickets to give away. Two ways to win: A) Retweet this tweet or B) @mention a friend on this Instagram post.
Drink This: A tequila barrel-aged saison with chayote pear and lime. Also: all the 2014 Bourbon County varieties.
Say This: “Have you visited the Fulton Market taproom and done the tour yet?” It just opened.
Don’t Say This: “Chayote.” Don’t even try it.
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3. Half Acre Galactic Double Daisy Cutter IPA Release
What: A release party. A special variant of Half Acre’s popular Double Daisy Cutter. Sixteen-oz. pours to try. Large format bottles for sale. Limit four per boozehound.
Drink This: See above.
Say This: “Tropical fruit juice.” Also: “This is one of Half Acre’s best beers.”
Don’t Say This: “Why do people wait in line for beer?” Because if you don’t know by now, you probably shouldn’t be here.
4. DryHop Double Collab Release Night
What: Two DryHop collabs, one night. With two of your correspondent’s favorites: Pipeworks Brewery and Gary, Indiana’s 18th Street Brewery.
Drink This: Kettle Sour with kiwi and lemon balm
Say This: “This be my go-to summer brew.”
Don’t Say This: “Isn’t Gary … like … dangerous?” or “This would be so much better barrel-aged.”
5. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Trolley
What: A rolling fête brought to you by Greenbush Brewery. Stops include The Dawson, Lone Wolf, Sportsman’s Club and one mystery location.
Drink This: Mr. Hyde, a coffee cream stout in collab with SmallBar
Say This: “RIP SmallBar Division.”
Don’t Say This: “Oh, you know Greenbush? What’s your mug club number? Mine’s 10.”
Happy sudsing.
Main Photo: Allagash Brewing
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