#ccbw Archives – PorchDrinking.com
Six Observations From Illinois Craft Beer Week (ICBW)
June 1, 2018 | Mathew Powers 1
The inaugural Illinois Craft Beer Week (ICBW) replaced the former, annual Chicago Craft Beer Week (CCBW), but both the kick-off and closing festivals took place on Chicago’s north side, and most of the intra-week events occurred within the nation’s third-biggest market, which also happens to be where the vast majority of Illinois breweries operate. So, as they say, “A rose by any other name.” Nevertheless, the 2018 version is in the books and once again demonstrated that the enthusiasm for craft beer remains high. There are nuances to the industry and week-long festivities worthy of mentioning, so let’s take the time to note a few observations made during ICBW.
Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap – Two Brothers CCBW Collaboration: Decades in the Making
June 1, 2017 | Mathew Powers
Sometimes, a beer event comes along that encapsulates the enormous impact the craft beer industry has had on modern imbibe culture. For example, the pairing between suburban-Chicago’s Two Brothers Brewing and Chicago’s Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap during the last day of Chicago Craft Beer Week seemed ordinary on the surface, but a deeper meaning lied underneath. Yes, the two craft-beer-focused operations collaborated on a beer — an American Wheat Beer with melon, but the beer did not take a few weeks to make; it took 30 years.
Event Recap | CCBW Putt-Putt at Revolution Brewing
May 22, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Chicago Craft Beer Week means beer lovers can expect a bevy of fun and unique events from local craft brewers. One of those events, hosted by Revolution Brewing over the weekend, had both good beer and mini golf – which is something that no other brewery could offer.
Event Recap | Beer Under Glass (BUG) – Chicago Craft Beer Week
May 22, 2017 | Mike Zoller
* Featured photo taken by Eric Dirksen and was from the 2016 BUG event
For the second year in a row, Beer Under Glass — the official kickoff to Chicago’s Craft Beer Week — was the benefit of great weather on the evening of the event. Although the temperature dropped 30 degrees throughout the night, that pales in comparison to recent years plagued by rain and bitter cold, which turned the outdoor grounds of the Garfield Park Conservatory into a muddy disaster.
What We’re Drinking | May 19, 2017
May 19, 2017 | Danele Bova
This week, PorchDrinkers all around the country are celebrating American Craft Beer Week. We’re enjoying local craft beer and events while spreading the love and culture of craft beer. Check out What We’re Drinking this week!
AleSmith and Around the Bend Collaboration, Chicago Craft Beer Week
May 18, 2017 | Mathew Powers
The annual Beer Under Glass (B.U.G.) at Garfield Park Conservatory serves as the formal opening to Chicago Craft Beer Week (#CCBW), and brewers are more than happy to provide special offerings for the unique event. One such brew exemplifies the true meaning of craft beer — industry first, beer first, a collaboration between two “competing” breweries, Alesmith Brewing Company and Chicago’s Around the Bend Beer Co. This special brew will enjoy its first pouring at B.U.G, and then during select events (and sold in stores) thereafter.
Event Preview | CCBW Putt Putt at Revolution Brewing
May 16, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Feature image courtesy of Revolution Brewing
Beer and golf are a perfect combo. So, if you’re the masterminds at Revolution Brewing, combining the two for a 9-hole putt putt course at their brewery only makes sense—which is exactly what they’re doing May 19-21 for CCBW. Revolution Putt Putt will give beer patrons the opportunity to play nine beer-inspired holes throughout their Kedzie facility, all with a can of their new Sun Crusher wheat ale in hand.
8th Annual Chicago Craft Beer Week Kicks Off Thursday
May 15, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Every year since 2010, Chicago Craft Beer Week has celebrated the city’s craft beer industry and all those that work so hard to produce so many great beers. On Thursday, the week-long celebration kicks off with Beer Under Glass (B.U.G) and then will be followed by hundreds of events over the next seven days.
How DryHop Brewers is Helping to Save the Polar Bears
May 11, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Feature image courtesy of DryHop Brewers
DryHop Brewers is known for making great beer in the Lakeview community; they are also known for some pretty cool collaborations. One of those collaborations is the charitable partnership they have with the local Lincoln Park Zoo. Now in its fourth year, this creature-inspired collaboration is all about benefiting the animals – and brewing a special beer each year in their honor.
Newbies & Freshies CCBW Event Highlights New Breweries in Chicago
May 5, 2017 | Mike Zoller
Over the past year or so, Chicago’s craft beer scene has continued to increase in both brewery openings and outside-the-state breweries entering the city. PorchDrinking.com, along with Bitter Pops, is hosting Newbies & Freshies on May 24 (an event that’s part of Chicago Craft Beer Week or #CCBW) to showcase all that’s new and exciting in the city.
Inaugural South Side Craft Beer Fest Set for Chicago Craft Beer Week
March 23, 2017 | Mike Zoller
A new Chicago Craft Beer Week event is set to highlight the breweries on Chicago’s South side. The inaugural South Side Craft Beer Fest will take place Saturday May 20th outside of Baderbräu and bring together the breweries that call the South side home.
Previewing the Revamped 2017 Colorado Craft Beer Week
March 3, 2017 | Cory Pelc
Festivities to run from March 18 through March 25
Every week in Denver feels like a version of the best-of-the-best events but for one week in March, everyone in Colorado celebrates Colorado Craft Beer Week. For CCBW 2017, there will be hundreds of brewery supported events throughout the state from educational panels at neighborhood breweries to the highlight event of the week, the fourth annual Collaboration Fest at the National Western Stock Show Complex.
Event Recap | #CCBW Miskatonic Brewing Mystery Infusion Contest
June 20, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Suburban Chicago’s Miskatonic Brewing (Darien, IL) challenged patrons to a test their skills as a beer connoisseur during Chicago Craft Beer Week. Sure, it’s easy to log on to any one of the numerous beer rating sites and provide insight, but just how good are you? More to the point, as the writer who covered the event, how good am I? Read More
Event Recap | CCBW: Chain O’Lakes Brewing Route 31 Series Collaboration
June 9, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Three distinct breweries, one community. Three distinct beers, one collaboration.
Scorched Earth Brewing, Chain O’Lakes Brewing, and Crystal Lake Brewing are three breweries found along Route 31 in Chicago’s distant … Read More
Scorched Earth Brewing | Hickster
June 9, 2016 | Mike Wronski
ABV: 4.8% | IBU: 14
After pinballing through Chicago Craft Beer Week, my liver was in need of some time off. I obliged for about a week before the amazing weather we’ve been having eroded my willpower. However, I compromised, and vowed to drink only beers that were less than 5% ABV. It’s more fitting for 80 degree weather anyway and, frankly, I’m a little worn out on 7%+ IPAs. Thankfully, CCBW reintroduced all the beer styles I haven’t visited in awhile, which granted me plenty of options. One of these stuck out, and I’m pretty sure it will be a consistent 6-pack in my fridge this summer — Scorched Earth’s Hickster.
Event Recap | CCBW: Nevin’s Brewing Company 21 Beer Salute
June 3, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Few beer events can simultaneously appease both beer geeks and beer novices, but Plainfield, Illinois’ Nevin’s Brewing Company 21 Beer Salute did just that. As part of Chicago Craft Beer … Read More
Event Recap | Chicago Craft Beer Week’s Beer Under Glass
May 26, 2016 | Mike Zoller
If it’s the clothes that make the man, then it can also be said that it’s the weather that makes the beer festival. For the first time in at least a few years, Beer Under Glass (BUG), the event that opens up Chicago Craft Beer Week, had perfect weather.
Chicago Craft Beer Week: Miskatonic Brewing Co. | Mystery Infusion Contest
May 25, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Would you like to play a game?
If so, Darien’s Miskatonic Brewing Company has a Chicago Craft Beer Week (CCBW) challenge for you. They explain, “We are infusing three Miskatonic beers with interesting ingredients. Order a flight and get a scorecard, for every beer and infusion ingredient you guess correctly, you get a raffle ticket for great prizes! Come out and test your palate!” If you fancy yourself a true beer aficionado and think you’re adept at judging and describing beer on Untappd or similar sites, this is the event for you. The party starts at 3 pm on Friday, May 27th at the Miskatonic Brewing taproom. Read More
Chicago Craft Beer Week | Navy Pier Beer Cruise: Brewers of the Western Suburbs
May 20, 2016 | Alex Chavez
Chicago and its suburbs have been turning out quality beers left and right, North and South, East and West. Now it’s your opportunity to experience what the best of the Western suburbs have to offer with this one of a kind beer cruise. Read More
Chicago Craft Beer Week | Nevin’s Brewing Co. 21 Beer Salute
May 20, 2016 | Mathew Powers
Chicago Craft Beer Week
Nevin’s Brewing Co: 4th Annual 21 Beer Salute
12337 South Rt. 59, Plainfield, Illinois
Sat, 5/21: 6 – 10pm
Fee: $1 per sample (4 oz), $8 cover after 8pm.
Music: 9:30pm: Keith Semple
Food: $10.99 unlimited wings
Craft brewers love to be innovative. So, naturally, Chicago Craft Beer Week (CCBW) involves an event where one brewer provides patrons with a celebration of experimentation. Indeed, Marc Wilson, brewmaster at Nevin’s Brewing Co. in Plainfield, explained, “I wanted to play with some styles/techniques that I’m a little less familiar.” And he’ll leave it up to you to be the judge, explaining, “I give our guests scorecards that they can return to me at the end of the evening so I can see what went well and what bombed.” Read More
recent comments