What Chicagoland beer events are worthwhile?

Not a big fest like those you mentioned, but Local Option does a few events per year where they have a bunch of great tap listings. Those are always a great time. Just check their website/facebook page for updates. Delilah's also hosts a Strong Beer Fest every February which is pretty great as well. Goose Island's Stout Fest is usually a good time as well.

 

Day/Night of the Living Ales in March is an all-cask festival run by Chicago Beer Society. CBS's Brewpub Shootout is also awesome, but pretty much members-only at this point. I've also enjoyed the Oak Park Microbrew Review -- it's not going to be full of rarities if that's what you're looking for, but it's a nice outdoor festival in downtown Oak Park. GI's Stoutfest is good but good luck getting tickets, they sold out in less than a minute this year. FoBAB is of course awesome. Keep an eye out for one-off parties thrown by Half Acre and Revolution (Revolution sounds like they're planning on doing a party every few months at their production brewery). The wife and I hit the Local Option "events" mentioned by mbockstruck30, always some interesting stuff tapped at those.

If you're willing to hit adjacent/nearby states, the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison is the best beer festival in the country, and the Michigan Brewers Guild festivals are all pretty good, I particularly like the summer one.

 

In addition to FoBAB and the events listed above, I would add the Oak Park Microbrew Review to the list of go-to events. Very well run and a good turnout from breweries from around the country - if you can swing it, go VIP for the event to beat the crowds and get some of the special taps and nice food pairings.

 

Goose Island Stout Fest is the best event I have been to. I like things a bit low key, though.

 

I haven't been to a "festival" in Chicago that I really liked, most were just ok. I did have fun at the "Polar Beer Festival" at Rock Bottom on the roof.

There are often just way too many people crammed in small areas for it to be worthwhile and often the tickets are more expensive than what they are worth, in my opinion. Bear in mind, that it's just that, my opinion.

The Michigan Brewers Guild Summer/Winter Beer Festivals are top-notch.

 

Get a hotel room the night before Dark Lord Day somewhere that BAs have set up a tasting. You don't even need to go to DLD, just go for the tasting, they're epic.

You may even find a way to scrape up a ticket to the event (if you care) in the process.