Grab your ear protection, everyone: This year’s BUG is gonna be LOUD.
In a press release from the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild today, we learned that Illinois Craft Beer Week returns in an in-person form on May 13th, and things are going to look a little different this year. Thanks to “ongoing renovation and construction” at the Garfield Park Conservatory, where the kickoff event Beer Under Glass has taken place for over a decade, the Guild has decided to bring it to Union Station in the heart of the city this year.
This is great news for people around Chicagoland who care to travel by Metra train (grab that new 19.2oz Zombie Dust stovepipe for the ride!). It’s less great news for those with any sort of sensory sensitivity. The main hall there is nothing but hard surfaces and high ceilings, so it’s going to be one big eternal echo in there for the entire event. This does still fulfill the “under glass” part of the festival, though.
If you’re ready for that, then bring on the beer! Tickets go on sale on April 8th.
Other events like a Pay It Forward Day and a Day of Action are all welcome opportunities for beer-lovers to support craft breweries—and in ways that go beyond just buying a pint at the taproom or a 4-pack to take home.
After you’ve reviewed our Beer Under Glass coverage throughout the years, read on for the full release from the Guild.
Illinois Craft Beer Week returns May 13-20 with lineup of signature festivals and events to support Illinois breweries, jumpstart craft beer season
Cornerstone festival and fundraiser, Beer Under Glass, headlines statewide celebration at Chicago Union Station on Friday, May 13
CHICAGO, Ill., April 1, 2022 – The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, the nonprofit trade association representing nearly 300 craft breweries across the state, today announced the return of Illinois Craft Beer Week May 13-20, 2022.
Hosted annually in May, Illinois Craft Beer Week celebrates Illinois craft brewers and the robust network of enthusiasts, team members, suppliers and partners that support the industry across the state. Featuring a powerhouse lineup of in-person festivals and hybrid events, Illinois Craft Beer Week will provide a timely boost to breweries from Chicago to downstate, engaging enthusiasts and emerging craft drinkers through a mix of fan-favorite festivals, taproom events, special promotions, advocacy outreach, and more.
This year marks the return of in-person events during Illinois Craft Beer Week in May, including the Guild’s signature festival and fundraiser, Beer Under Glass. Complementing the in-person festival will be a series of hybrid events designed to support breweries and jumpstart the craft beer season, including the annual PassportPlus contest, which encourages consumers to explore new breweries.
Other hybrid events include Small Brewery Sunday, which encourages craft beer fans to skip the grocery store and make a beer run to a neighborhood brewery, and a new Keep the Glass Fundraiser featuring a limited-edition 16-ounce pint glass to raise money for local breweries. And a ‘Day of Action’ will spur legislative advocacy in support of direct-to-consumer shipping for Illinois breweries.
“Illinois Craft Beer Week couldn’t come at a better time for our statewide membership,” said Ray Stout, executive director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. “Illinois breweries are emerging from what is traditionally the slowest period of the year while simultaneously navigating the pandemic recovery and associated staffing and supply challenges. This week is our opportunity to show our appreciation and support for our brewing community through small and intentional actions. That’s what we need most right now.”
A full lineup of events and activities for Illinois Craft Beer Week can be found at www.illinoisbeer.org/icbw.
Beer Under Glass soars to new heights at Chicago Union Station
A cornerstone of Illinois Craft Beer Week, Beer Under Glass returns to kick off the celebration Friday, May 13. Hosted where the State of Illinois meets the City of Chicago – under the glass at Chicago Union Station – Beer Under Glass will celebrate the collaborations, partnerships, and connections that define the Illinois craft beer community.
Beer Under Glass traditionally has been held at Garfield Park Conservatory. Ongoing renovation and construction would have severely limited capacity for both brewers and attendees, so organizers opted for a new twist on the classic fundraising event. Guests will enjoy a one-of-a-kind evening of craft beer that pairs samples from more than 110 Illinois craft breweries with the history and architectural marvel of the iconic venue.
Beer Under Glass runs Friday, May 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with VIP early entry beginning at 4:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $50, and VIP tickets are $60. Current members of the Guild’s enthusiast program, ImBIBE, are eligible for a free VIP ticket upgrade as part of new membership benefits for 2022.
Tickets to Beer Under Glass go on sale Friday, April 8 at 10:00 a.m. CT. All proceeds from Beer Under Glass will support the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s mission of education, promotion, and advocacy.
Summer Passport
Illinois Craft Beer Week also marks the start of craft beer enthusiasts’ favorite summer promotion and contest, Passport Plus. Passport Plus rewards craft beer fans for doing what they do best…drinking locally brewed craft beer.
Participants are invited to pick up a Passport Frame at any participating brewery (or download one here) and use the frame to capture their summer craft beer adventures, from the taproom to their own patios. Creativity is encouraged as folks show off how they #DrinkIllinois.
Framed photos posted to social media that tag the brewery, tag the Guild, and include the hashtag #ILPassportPlus will be entered into a weekly drawing for a $50 gift card to the participating brewery of choice. PassportPlus runs Friday, May 13 through Thursday, June 9. The weekly contest opens each Friday at 12:00 a.m. CT and closes Thursdays at 11:59 p.m. CT. Winners are announced every Friday.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or for other ways to support local breweries during Illinois Craft Beer Week, please visit www.illinoisbeer.org.
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About the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild
The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the development and expansion of the craft beer industry in Illinois. Founded in 1997, ICBG focuses its efforts on member and consumer education, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and the promotion of its member craft breweries. Learn more at www.illinoisbeer.org and follow along on Facebook (Illinois Craft Brewers Guild), Twitter (@IllinoisBeer), and Instagram (@ILCraftBeer).