Let’s get this out first, then I can devote a column to the winners of the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer this past weekend.

I can then try to get ahead of listing the many Black Wednesday and Black Friday events for barrel-aged stouts and other big beer. Not just Bourbon County Stout, but the many other big beers from area brewers. I’ll be building events into the Google Calendar, which you can access here.

Monday, November 15

New Barrel Aged Beer Incoming!
Alter Brewing Co., 2300 Wisconsin Ave. #213, Downers Grove, IL 630-541-9558 Map
& Alter Brewery & Kitchen, 12 S. First St., Saint Charles, IL (331) 901-5949 Map
Turn off the TV, the computer, and the phone (or at least throw on DND for crying out loud) and enjoy some Power Off barrel aged stout with cinnamon and chocolate.
Power-Off is a blend of 8-month old bourbon barrel aged cinnamon-infused stout and a huge, sweet fresh stout straight from the fermenter. Once blended, it is recirculated with cocoa nibs responsibly-sourced from Ghana over four days.
All together, it is an extremely drinkable stout (at 13% ABV!) that has an enjoyable fudgy, spicy, roasty, and bourbon-y flavor experience.
Available at both locations on tap and in 4-pack cans on November 15th.

3:00 – 7:00 pm • Country Grill Chicken Truck
Evil Horse Brewing Co., 1338 Main St., Crete, IL (708) 304-2907 Map
Country Grill Chicagoland is a food truck company offering rotisserie chicken and ribs fresh from the spit, homemade salads and pretzels.

Tuesday, November 16

5:00 – 7:00 pm • Wolfden’s Thanksgiving Beer Dinner!
Wolfden Brewing, 112 W. Lake St., Bloomingdale, IL (847) 610-5117 Map
Wolfden Brewing and Catering With Elegance are teaming up to bring you another delicious BEER DINNER! This 2 hour dinner includes five different 5oz tasters of preselected beers paired with the menu below. Our entire menu will still be available for purchase.
• To purchase tickets, please email [email protected]. Once we confirm your spot, we will send you a link to purchase tickets.
• $60 per person
• TICKETS ARE VERY LIMITED!
• Please note, our Murder Den decorations will still be up until November 21st.

6:30 – 8:30 pm • Tuesday Night Trivia at Chuck’s!
Chuck’s Café Darien, 8025 S. Cass Ave., Darien, IL 331-431-4000 Map
Trivia is coming back to Chuck’s in Darien! We’re so excited to welcome back trivia to Tuesday Nights!
FREE to play each & every Tuesday 6:30-830p.
General Knowledge along with a special themed night once a month!
Great drink specials each & every Tuesday including:
$2 Domestics | $2 PBR Drafts | $8 Flights |
$3 Imports | $4 Well Spirit One & One’s

Wednesday, November 17

3:00 – 9:00 pm • Wing Wednesday!
Wildrose Brewing Co.,1104 E. Main St., Griffith, IN (219) 595-5054 Map
Wing Wednesday! Smoked then flash fried jumbo chicken wings tossed in our house spicy garlic, Jamaican Jerk or savory / sweet dry rub. Get ’em before they are gone!!!

4:00 pm • One Lake Barrel Aged Beer Release
One Lake Brewing Co., 1 Lake St., Oak Park, IL (708) 434-5232 Map
Been Czar, Done That Bourbon & Rye Editions will be available at the brewery starting at 4 pm Wednesday, November 17th! Come meet the brewer from 4 pm – 7 pm.
You can preorder the limited addition gift pack for pickup starting on the 17th.
Gift pack includes:
One 22oz Limited Edition Bottle of Been Czar, Done That – Bourbon Edition
One 22oz Limited Edition Bottle of Been Czar, Done That – Rye Edition
Two 5oz OLB signature tasting glasses.

5:00 – 9:00 pm • Burgers & Beers Night: The Biker Dude Pop-Up
Plank Road Tap Room, 39W149 Plank Rd., Elgin, IL 224-238-3527 Map
We are excited to bring Burgers & Beer Night to the tap room! One night each month of 2021, The Biker Dude will be out in the beer garden smashing burgers to enjoy with your cold beer. So save the date in those phones, grab a friend, and relax, you’re here now. Serving burgers until sold out.
Cheers!
PRTR & Beer Garden is 21+ only. Children are not allowed on premise. If you are not staying for a beer, we respectfully as you to take your meal to-go. Our parking lot and beer garden is for tap room customers only.

6:30 – 9:00 pm • Wild Game Beer Dinner Night 2
Ike & Oak Brewing Co., 6315 Main St., Woodridge, IL (331) 998-2907 Map
Join us for one of our favorite events we hold here at Ike & Oak Brewing Co!. Enjoy a 5-course meal & beer pairing created by our Executive Chef. Tickets $65 here.

7:00 – 9:00 pm • Weekly Trivia at Black and Gray Brewing!
Black & Gray Brewing Co., 311 Barrington Ave., East Dundee, IL (224) 484-8200 Map
Join us each Wednesday for our fun and free trivia game! Questions cover all subjects, and you play as a team. We don’t limit team sizes, so bring all the friends you want!
The top three teams will win gift certificates to be redeemed on a future trivia night. Join us for the fun!

7:00 – 9:00 pm • Disney Films Trivia Night
Pollyanna Brewing Co., 431 Talcott Ave., Lemont, IL 630-914-5834 Map
Are you the ultimate Mouseketeer? Join us at Pollyanna Brewing Company and prove that you know your Hakuna Matata from your Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!
Mike with Baig of Tricks Entertainment will be quizzing you through four increasingly harder rounds of questions over the entire “Wonderful World of Disney” while Pollyanna keeps you fueled up with craft brews all night, PLUS the top teams will win bragging rights and prizes, so bring your friends, family, and even your enemies (if they’re good at trivia) to increase your chances of winning. Feel free to order in delivery from one of the awesome local restaurants to enjoy during the event, as well.
Be sure to get there early and snag your team a spot and fuel up with some drinks, see you soon!
Check the event page fot COVID restrictions.

10:00 pm • Giving Wednesdays
Two Hound Red, 486 Pennsylvania Ave., Glen Ellyn, IL (630) 547-2912 Map
Two Hound Red gives back!
Join us the first three Wednesdays in November and help support the Glen Ellyn Food Pantry. 10% of all proceeds each Wednesday will be donated back to the food pantry. Good for dine in only. Reservations are recommended but not required. And anytime you come and visit us, drop a can of food in the tub in the vestibule up front!

Thursday, November 18

3:00 pm • Peppermint Bark Beer Release & Advent Calendar Pick-Up!
Two Brothers Tap House, 30W315 Calumet Ave., Warrenville, IL 630-393-2337 Map
The holiday season is officially upon us and that can only mean one thing… Peppermint Bark Porter is back!
Our holiday favorite will be available on tap and in 4-packs to-go starting Thursday, Nov. 18th at the Two Brothers Tap House!
We’ll also have our Two Brothers beer and coffee advent boxes available for pick up as well as some Two Brothers holiday gifts for sale!
Get in the spirit and get yourself some PBP!

4:00 pm – 2:00 am • Founders Limited Release Tapping
Tuman’s Tap & Grill, 2159 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago 773-782-1400 Map
Tuman’s Tap & Grill hosts a Founders Brewing Co. Limited Beer Tapping Thursday, November 18. The event features KBS 2018, KBS 2020 Maple Mackinac Fudge, KBS 2021 Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa and Canadian Breakfast Stout 2019 on Nitro. The tapping event runs from 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; meet the Founders crew and score logoed Founders swag from 4-8 p.m. There is no cover charge to attend, and seating is first come, first served (no reservations). Enjoy a flight of the featured beers for $18 (four five-ounce pours) or an individual glass for $9 (10-ounce pour).

4:00 – 7:00 pm • Tighthead Tasting
Beer Bazaar, 17 W. Belvidere Rd., Hainesville, IL 847-986-6473 Map
Join us  at 4 PM for a free tasting. Scott from Mundelein’s own Tighthead Brewing Co. will be pouring some delicious local beer. Don’t forget to invite your friends!

5:30 – 10:00 pm • IllumiBrew
Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte. 53, Lisle, IL  Map
IllumiBrew returns for two nights in 2021, Nov. 18 and 19! For tickets, visit mortonarb.org.
Be among the first to see Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum while sampling seasonal beers, ciders and meads from popular Chicago area breweries stationed along the Illumination trail. (NOTE: This event is for ages 21 and older ONLY.)
TICKETS
General Admission: $65 members -$75 non-members
Designated Driver tickets: $35 members – $40 non-members
Each tasting ticket includes:
– 15, 3-ounce beer samples
– Entrance to the Arboretum and Illumination exhibition on either Thursday, Nov. 18 or Friday, November 19, 2021.
– Souvenir light up tasting glass
*Designated driver tickets include admission into IllumiBrew and a complimentary hot chocolate or cider from the concessions stand or the Ginkgo Restaurant.
PARTICIPATING BREWERS
(More breweries will be added soon!)
Aleman Brewing & Taproom • Black Horizon Brewing Co.. • Elmhurst Brewing Co. • Ike & Oak Brewing Co. • Illuminated Brew Works • Midwest Coast Brewing Co. • Midwest Meadwerks • Misbeehavin’ Meads • Noon Whistle Brewing • Obscurity Brewing & Craft Mead • Pipeworks Brewing Co. • Short Fuse Brewing Co. • Standard Meadery
Food options will be available for an additional cost in the Ginkgo Restaurant and the outside concession stands along the Illumination route.

6:00 – 8:00 pm • Beers With Queers
Dry City Brew Works, 120B N. Main St., Wheaton, IL (630) 456-4787 Map
Welcome to Beers With Queers. We heard you and we know there needs to be more safe places for LGBTQ+ folxs to feel welcome and accepted. We have partnered with Dry City Brew Works to bring you an open and welcome space every Other Thursday. Every other Thursday join Us here at OUTspoken Leaders, Dry City, and other LGBTQ+ folx as we hang out and connect with the community together. Please note this is a 21+ event every other Thursday however if you are and LGBTQ+ youth or young adult looking for support in your life please know we offer a weekly support and discussion group called OUTspoken Online and we also offer a sober space specifically for the LGBTQ+ on Saturday mornings called Coffee Chat!
OUTspoken Leaders is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving, empowering, and amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. We offer social and service programs that promote self-acceptance, intentional compassion, and unconditional leadership!

6:00 pm • Parks and Rec Trivia at Great Central
Great Central Brewing Co., 221 N. Wood St., Chicago (855) 464-4222 Map
“I mean, am I living the dream? I don’t know. Did I also just walk past a food truck and buy myself a waffle sundae? Yes!” —Leslie Knope.
Gather your team and boast your knowledge with your favorites from Pawnee, IN! Even Jerry is invited, but no Eagletons allowed.

6:00 – 9:00 pm • Xtreme Music Bingo
Black & Gray Brewing Co., 311 Barrington Ave., East Dundee, IL (224) 484-8200 Map
An exciting combination of music trivia and the classic game of BINGO!
No boring numbers here, just one hit song after another as players listen, sing along and “Play BINGO to the Music”
It’s free to play and prizes will be given out to the winners!

6:00 pm • Revolution Deep Wood Series Preview Party
Global Brew Tap House, 2100 Prairie St., Saint Charles, IL 630-549-0397 Map
Special Preview Party for Revolution Deep wood series: Straight Jacket, Vanilla Deth, Blackbeery Finn

6:30 – 9:00 pm • Cookie Class with Three75
Oswego Brewing Co., 61 S. Main St., Oswego, IL (331) 999-1991 Map
Come decorate 6 cookies with the owner of Three75 at OBC. This month we will focus on some adorable Thanksgiving cookies! Grab a friend, grab a beer, and get ready to have some fun while creating your own delicious cookies while she guides you along the way!
Class will be held on Thursday, November 18th at 6:30pm. Tickets are $40 per person and space is limited so register early!
To Purchase Tickets: three75cookies.com

7:00 – 9:00 pm • Brewery Bingo Season 7
The Open Bottle, 7101 183rd St. #105, Tinley Park, IL 708-247-3757 Map
Season 7 is here! Over the next 5 months, we’re partnering with a new brewery every Tuesday at 7pm for our monthly Brewery Bingo! No more sneaking into bingo halls for you!
Every week, we’ll have a draft beer on special and prizes from a variety of breweries from across the U.S.
Here’s who’s up:
November – Bell’s Brewery
December – Phase Three Brewing Co.
It’s Bingo in Tinley Park with breweries you love & fantastic prizes for you to win!
HOW TO PLAY
Imagine a Bingo card. Now replace the B-I-N-G-O with five breweries and the numbers replaced with their most popular beers. We’ll spin our bingo balls ’round and ’round until a random ball decides to set itself free. We call out a beer, you look at your bingo card, and then place a bottle cap on your card if you’re lucky. Get 5 in a row and win a prize! In between rounds, there will be penny pours, good music and even better times. Must be 21+ to play.

7:00 pm • Begyle Trivia Night
Begyle Brewing, 1800 W. Cuyler Ave., Chicago 773-661-6963 Map
Grab a pint and play to win great Begyle prizes>
All guests must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and matching photo ID.
Pre-registration at this link. Please input all information as accurately as possible. Space is extremely limited.
You can edit your response, so please do so if your team becomes larger or smaller! We do not have any additional space if your partner/sibling/friend/colleague/random street acquaintance decides they want to play on the day of the event.

7:00 – 9:00 pm • Parks & Rec trivia
Hailstorm Brewing Co., 8060 W. 186th St., Tinley Park, IL 708-480-2268 Map
Treat Yo’Self to an evening out while enjoying craft beer and trivia. Let’s see how much you know about the employees at the Department of Parks and Recreation.
You can play solo or round up a team of fans and compete to win!
Top teams win prizes.

7:30 – 9:00 pm • Team Trivia
Sidecar Supper Club & Beer Garden, 12 N. River St., Batavia, IL (630) 406-9200 Map
Join us for Team Trivia every Thursday! Go 4 It Entertainment features 12 rounds of general trivia with musical hints and toss up questions to win your team free ‘tasty prizes’.
1st place – $30 gift certificate, 2nd place – $20 gift certificate, 3rd place – $10 gift certificate
Hosted by Chevy Mallhi

7:30 pm • Side Lot Trivia
Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map
Are you the smartest one in the Taproom? The only way to find out is to join Side Lot Brewery on Thursday nights at 7:30pm for Taproom Trivia.
7 Rounds with varying categories. Free to Play, Prizes to Win!

7:30 pm • General Trivia
Elmhurst Brewing Co., 171 N. Addison Ave., Elmhurst, IL 630-834-2739 Map
Our next live Trivia event will be General Knowledge Trivia! We’ve got prizes for the top three teams and it’s 100% Free to play! Call (630) 834-BREW (2739) to make a reservatio.