Relative Noob to craft beer scene, not to drinking but to events and or releases. Unfortunately I'm only craft guy in my group of friends and my girlfriend isn't a beer person. So I enjoy most of my beers on my deck alone. Anyway my question, how do you guys know about all these events? Would like to attend some and maybe meet some of you and enjoy some good beers . Thanks for any help. I live in southwest suburbs but will travel
there are a couple of beer fests in chicago this weekend, and you should be able to find them in several suburbs throughout the summer. This is just one company that runs a few through the summer http://loudogevents.com/events/ but there are plenty of other fests going on both in the city and in the suburbs. There is an event page on BA you can check, and there are plenty of sites like http://chicago.metromix.com/ you can check for events. They're out there, just gotta spend a little bit of time looking for them.
When I started getting into craft beer I was on the same boat as you are now with being the only person I knew who enjoyed it. Couple of things I did to hear about events is I started looking up breweries and well known craft beer bars websites and starting with their specific events. From there you mingle with people or bartenders and ask around and eventually you find yourself in the mix of things. It is a bit tedious, but it works. Also, I pretty much forced one of my friends into liking craft beer. Peer pressure works my friend haha.
Working on a couple buddies into the craft scene but it's a work in progress. Also living in the suburbs not as many options, although been trying to hit local breweries more, 350, Hailstorm, even Blue Island.
Good page for events: http://www.chicagonow.com/the-beeronaut/ Beer Calendar: http://www.markmcdermott.com/GCal_Formatter/ Check on FB too: https://www.facebook.com/Beeronaut/
Speaking purely of local festivals in the western burbs, I know Lombard just had something this past weekend. There is an event called Brew Moon at the Max in McCook in October (I think) and Riverside is having its second annual Hop Stop on Sept 24th. For other semi-local places, I also recommend checking out Imperial Oak in Willow Springs and Buckledown in Lyons.
Fischmans almost tapped out and Chicago ale fest is this weekend. Fischmans is only 20 bucks with a short but sweet draft list. Chicago ale fest is pretty big and will get you introduced to a lot of different breweries and styles 3 oz at a time,its a nice situation for people just getting into craft but I wouldn't expect to tick any whales. Just be forewarn you can get pretty drunk really fast at the larger fests and regret all the beers you forgot to try the next day. Don't be afraid to dump a beer if it's not your thing and ask for smaller pours if your unsure.
I second the Fischman's fest. They are closing (at this location) for good, and this is their last hurrah. Always have good options, and it is very close to three methods of public transportation.
OP, aside from the (good) suggestions above, I would hang around the Great Lakes forum as much as you can. I've learned about quite a few events here, and sometimes you'll stumble upon insider info that will A) make it easier for you to get in/enjoy the event or B) help you to decide to save your money. Aside from that, follow your favorite local breweries/bars/taprooms on social media, as a lot of their events get posted there first.
Since it's local, you can try talking some friends into going to the 350 Brewing anniversary fest on August 27th. The Chicago Alefest this weekend is pretty good for casual craft beer drinkers too. I'm a little biased given the location, but the Oak Park Microbrew Review on August 16th is a good one and more casual friendly because they allow kids and don't charge $35 for DD tickets like so many others. Once you buy tickets to one or two fests, you'll get emails about 12 more.
Check out Pollyanna brewery's website. Bunch of events on there including the Morton Arboretum beer fest on the 25th.
