A Saturday filled with thunderstorms and unseasonably cold weather did not stop a large crowd of craft beer enthusiasts from descending upon Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo after hours to enjoy the annual Crafts Brews at the Zoo.

The event featured several local Chicagoland breweries including a select few from across the country and beyond. VIP ticket holders were welcomed with a half hour-early admission complete with access to a light appetizer bar and special tappings from Pollyanna Brewing (including a thick, delicious Malted Milk Ball Pastry Stout). As we’ve come to expect from a Lou Dog Events! festival, the event was very well organized with brewery pouring stations located throughout the park, embedded into many of the zoo’s animal exhibits. This allowed ample space to move around, see some animals and sample some great beer.

The weather kept a few of the animals indoors, but festival attendees had the opportunity to see an eastern black rhinoceros, Japanese Macaque and, of course… penguins! In addition to entertainment, we had some great beers being poured from breweries both local and beyond.

Favorites from the Festival

Brooklyn Brewing brought their Summer Ale, which despite the rain and cold weather, was a great reminder that summer is here.

Just in time for summer, Flossmoor Station brought their latest variant from their Parlor Series of beers, a mango strawberry milkshake IPA. A perfect dessert beer on a warm summer day (which it was not on that particular day, but still tasty).

Joining in on the rosé trend, 21st Amendment let guests sample their Sparkale, their sparkling rosé ale. There was a very long line for this one; the dry yet fruity finish to this session ale was a definite crowd-pleaser!

Prairie Artisan Ales brought their Christmas Bomb, a 13% ABV American imperial stout brewed with vanilla, espresso beans, chocolate, ancho chile peppers and holiday spices. With a beer as strong and delicious as this one most definitely is, no one bothered to remind them it was June.

Will County Brewing Co. planned for the cold, rainy weather and poured a sweet, delicious Baltic Porter, Mr. Mustachio, brewed with vanilla beans.

350 Brewing, which continues to grow in popularity in the south suburb of Tinley Park, poured their version of a New England IPA called Killer Hops from Outer Space. It was, indeed, out-of-this-world delicious.

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