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We take pride in our beer festivals here in the Midwest, and the Windy City is no exception. This past weekend over 6,000 people showed up to sample from over 100 breweries at Chicago’s third annual Beer Hoptacular. After selling out their first two years, the event relocated to Riverfront Theatre and held three separate sessions over two days in order to accommodate more breweries and more beer-lovers. This still proved to be inadequate though- Beer Hoptacular sold out again on Saturday.
For those lucky enough to score a ticket, the weather could not have been more perfect for hopping between tasting tents and enjoying the riverside location. Between the multiple tents, there was something for everyone- homebrewing demonstrations, beer and cheese pairing lessons, an MC raffling off prizes under disco lights, to name a few. This array of activities lured in quite the diverse crowd. Among the attendees were groups racing to see who could sample the most, people circulating only through the ciders, and others camping out at a favorite local brewery to get to know the brewmaster.
The variety was no less vast behind the tasting tables. At Firestone Walker, the brewmaster himself was proud to show off his newest brew – Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA, a bold IPA that has gone off on a rich, malty tangent. At the next station a few volunteers poured samples, admitting that they were lured to Beer Hoptacular “for the hot women!”
Half Acre, a local Chicago brewery, debuted their newest batch, Taco Day. So fresh it wasn’t even in the program. It boasts an intense flavor with a floral and nutty kick, and no detectable trace of tacos. This one goes on the nice list.
Milwaukee Brewing Co headlined their “Asian spiced Milwaukee monster”- OGii Wit. This surprising wheat gets its inspiration from an Asian tea and certainly delivers a kick both in the form of spice, and a 9.2% ABV.
Chicago’s own 5 Rabbit Cerveceria took the cake though, winning “Beer Of The Year” for their 5 Lizard wheat – a refreshing yet exotic brew.
Whether you want a taste of something all the way from Scotland (Brouwerif Corsendonk made the trek), or a chat with Mike, a brewmaster at Chicago Beer Co, about the story of the Chicago fire and his upcoming homage IPA (Chi Town 1871), Beer Hoptacular delivers. Come for the beer, stay for the party.
