Chicago craft beer weekend, April 15-17

Friday April 15 

Heller Bock Tapping, Rock Bottom Chicago
Rock Bottom, 1 W. Grand Ave., Chicago (312) 755-9339
April 15th - Heller Bock 

5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Bell's Spring Tasting at Vrai Amour
Vrai Amour, 953 W. Webster Ave. Chicago (773) 549-9740
Our annual tasting at this great shop just right around the corner from DePaul University. Help us kick off spring while tasting some Oberon! There will be many other great Bell's beers to sample also. No Charge for samples.

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Ommegang BPA Tasting
Monk's Pub, 205 W. Lake St., Chicago (312) 357-6665
The lovely Shannon will be at Monk's Pub from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. tasting out Ommegang BPA!

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Silly Name, Serious Beer
Binny's Beverage Depot, 844 S. Randall Rd., Algonquin, IL (847) 458-2470
Welcome the newest brewery to come to Chicagoland, Massachusetts' Clown  Shoes. Joe Katz of Stoller Wholesale will be on hand to answer your questions and pour free samples. Taste the beer that started it all, Hoppy Feet Black IPA, as well as Brown Angel, Clementine, and Eagle Claw Fist. All beers will be available for purchase.

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. New Belgium beer tasting
West Lakeview Liquors, 2156 W. Addison St., Chicago (773) 525-1916
Brian Stanek will be sampling beers from this fine Colorado brewery!

Saturday, April 16

11:00 a.m. Founders Tenth Annual Black Party
Founders Brewing Co., 235 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI
We're stoked to announce our TENTH ANNUAL Black Party, our annual celebration of Black Beers! Wrap your lips around our darkest brews from open-to-close, with a star-studded taplist featuring 2011 and 2010 KBS, Breakfast Stout, Imperial Stout, Black IPA, Oatmeal Stout, Frangelic Stout, Porter, and a BOATLOAD of surprise tappings.You will not want to miss this one! Plus, you can munch on Justin and Jmac's famous Dirty Bastard Bratwursts. AND make sure you don't miss evening entertainment starting at 9:30 p.m. with Oracle (Our very own supergroup, featuring head brewers Jer and Diamond, performing The Black Crowes "Southern Harmony and Musical Companion") with Four Finger Five (Funk, rock, and soul jams from Muskegon). Admission is $8 for the general public and $6 for 2011 Mug Club Members. Your paid entry includes your first Class 1 pint AND a commemorative pint glass to take home!

12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Hoppy Easter Beer Fest
Whole Foods, 201 W 63rd St., Willowbrook, IL (630) 655-5000
Jess from Metropolitan Brewing will be on-hand at this fun beer fest to sample out all four of their regular brews. Really, the only way to grocery shop is with a beer in your hand.

1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Best of the Midwest Beer Tasting Open House
Binny's Beverage Depot, 7330 W. North Ave. Elmwood Park, IL (708) 456-2112
Sample some of the best beers made right here in the great Midwest. Breweries include Argus, Dark Horse, Flossmoor, Goose Island, Half Acre, Metropolitan, Two Brothers and more. Call, or email elmwoodpark@binnys.com for more information.

1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Hopfest Open House
Binny's Beverage Depot, 1919 Skokie Valley Hwy., Highland Park, IL (847) 831-5400
Hopheads of the world, unite! Binny's Highland Park is unleashing the ultimate IPA throwdown. Dozens of India Pale Ales will be available for your tasting pleasure, from Midwest favorites to the best of both coasts. $5 W/Binny's Card / $10 non-members.

3:00 - 3:30 p.m. An Afternoon with Neil
Lunar Brewing Company, 54 E. St Charles Rd., Villa Park, IL (630) 530-2077
Lunar presents its Neil Armstrong Belgian Ale. Get it while it lasts...if it even lasts until 4/16 

7:00 p.m. Crispin Cider Tasting at Cary Public House
Cary Public House, 208 W. Main St., Cary, IL (847) 639-7244
Crispin Cider will be sampling their artisanal reserves and their new Fox Barrel Pear line with different food items.

7:00 p.m. Drinking & Writing Christmas Show in April
Drinking & Writing Theater @ Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL
Take the first step in April! So we didn't get a chance to perform our Christmas show a few months ago. So what's wrong with doing it in April? It's Drinking & Writing Volume IV, The 12 Steps of Christmas! We've added some new material and a few surprises. Plus $5 dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to Donate Life Illinois.

Sunday, April 17

10:30 - 11:30 p.m. ABA Chicagoland Breweriana Society Show
VFW Hall, 400 E. Devon Ave., Elk Grove Village,IL
Contact: Ray Capek 630-778-1482 Buy, sell and trade items related to sipping
suds, including beer cans, glasses, signs, coasters, tap knobs and microbrewery items. Includes a raffle and free appraisal for items you bring in. Admission $1.
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