I think nobody reading this article needs any encouragement, but the Brewers Association is promoting July 3 as “National Independent Beer Run Day.” They encourage us to shop for the BA’s Independent Craft Brewer seal. Their site, beerrunday.com, includes more information, and an interactive “Brewery Finder” map if you;re on the road.
I’ve collected places that have announced special events or hours for July 4, as well as those who’ve announced they will be closed. This leaves a lot of establishments that may be doing business as usual. As always, call ahead.
Friday, July 2
Alter Weekend Hours
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
Dust off those vintage growlers this weekend!
We’ll have extended hours at both of our locations for Independence Day weekend so you’ll have some extra QT to enjoy some brews with friends and family.
DG Hours: Fri-Sun · 12pm-11pm • Mon · 12-7pm
STC Hours: Fri-Sat · 11am-12am • Sun-Mon · 11am-11pm
First Forest Weekend
First Forest Brewing and Cider, 6119 East Ave., Hodgkins, IL Map
We’ve got a fresh Keg of Wonderous by Skeleton Key Brewery pouring now! Shannon Marie is bringing you an acoustic set this Friday at 7pm and Saturday is our Fourth of July Celebration Day since we will be CLOSED this Sunday to let our staff enjoy the Holiday! Cheers!
Weekend Releases
Kishwaukee Brewing Co., 1900 Dillard Ct., Woodstock, IL Map
Food truck: Stix & Noodles, 6-8 pm
Beer Release: Saison
Firkin Tapping: Session Ale with strawberry, and Mosaic dry hop.
Taproom closed July 4.
11:00 am • Banana Milkshake DNEIPA Release
Black & Gray Brewing Co., 311 Barrington Ave., East Dundee, IL (224) 484-8200 Map
Cruel Summer, our NEW banana milkshake DNEIPA small batch, will be tapped at 11 am on Friday! Pureed bananas, vanilla, Omega Yeast’s Bananza yeast, all come together to create a creamy banana treat with an 8% abv.
2:00 – 7:00 pm • Food Truck Friday w/ Arbold’s Tacos
Werk Force Brewing, 14903 S. Center St., Plainfield, IL (815) 531-5557 Map
Arnold’s Tacos will be joining us next Friday, July 2nd from 2-7pm!
Come on down for some great tacos, burritos, and quesadillas!
3:00 pm • Western Suburbs Brews Cruise
Chicago Brews Cruise Map
Tickets $75
Join us on our Brews Cruise bus as we hit 3 of the current hot spots to sample their beers. Our first stop is Riverlands Brewing Co. for a personal discussion of their brewing process. Next to BBGB Brewery and Hop Farm to hear about their sustainable approach to brewing. Then on to Brother Chimp Brewing, one of the latest small brewery additions to the western ‘burbs, to learn more about what it means to “make craft beers that taste like beer”.
After the tour, consider continuing our evening at Sidecar Supper Club in Batavia for a great craft beer and eclectic food menu, and maybe some live music.
We begin at downtown Batavia Parking Lot at 111 N. River St. (River St. and Spring St. intersection).
Minimum number of guests for tour to run is 6 people. If the minimum is not met, we will contact you ahead of your reservation to reschedule.
5:00 – 10:00 pm • Maplewood + Goldfinger Coaster King Special Tapping
The Open Bottle, 7101 183rd St. #105, Tinley Park, IL 708-247-3757 Map
To kick off the 4th of July weekend, we’re tapping a very special collaboration. Maplewood Brewery & Distillery and Goldfinger Brewing Co. are at the top of their respective games, and they came together to brew Coaster King, a delectable Kölsch that’s perfect for summer. But it wouldn’t be a party if we didn’t have a few extra surprises, joining Coaster King will be kegs of Goldfinger’s Original Lager & Maplewood’s Pillowy Mellows.Begin your celebrations early with us, and enjoy some truly world-class beers.
About the Beers:
Coaster King – this traditional ale features Bavarian malts & Goldfinger’s curated German Tettnanger hops. It’s particularly crisp because it was fermented at colder temperatures more associated with lagering.
Original Lager – Goldfinger’s flagship beer is cold, crisp, light & flavorful. It’s an everyday drinker that’s steeped in history & “the style our Goldfinger ancestors would have brewed and certainly would have enjoyed.”
Pillowy Mellows – this double dry-hopped DIPA was hopped with Galaxy & Mosaic hops. This juice bomb is well-balanced & the perfect beer example of what makes Maplewood so great.
RSVP on Facebook.
7:00 – 11:00 pm • Belly Dawgs Pop Up
Brewfest, 8347 Kennedy Ave., Highland, IN (219) 237-2682 Map
Belly Dawgs will be out this Friday to help kickoff the holiday weekend!
8:30 – 10:30 pm • Drive In, Dinner, and Drinks
Rock Island Public House, 13328 Olde S. Western Ave., Blue Island, IL 708-388-5513 Map
Friday and Saturday!
Of course we celebrate 4th of July weekend with one of the best summer blockbusters ever, JAWS!
As one of our customers said, you’re going to need a bigger beer!
9:00 pm • VIP Re-Opening Party
Headquarters Beercade River North, 213 W. Institute Place, Chicago (773) 665-5660 Map
Be the first to experience the new games, food, and cocktails before everyone else. Please email dimitri@machinehospitality.com for a chance to win a spot for you and your group!
Saturday, July 3
Half Acre/Vienna Beef Collab
Half Acre Beer Co., 4257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago (773) 248-4038, Map
Coming your way, Only Gold Pale Ale, our collaboration with Vienna Beef. Half Acre is a home built on pale ale. To this day, nothing quite captures our brewery like the delicious, consistent enjoyment of low abv beers brewed to highlight hop cones. This is eternal, much like squaring off with a hot dog. It just feels good, a personal gift of Chicago style indulgence you offer yourself. This beer and the event we’re throwing with Vienna Beef is just that: Celebration
Only Gold is a tootie-frootie, pale ale with level see-saw balance that’s ideal for gulping down with Chicago style dogs in the summer.
Tickets to Friday’s event are sold out. Only Gold Merch will be available, while supplies last, only at Balmoral starting Friday evening. Only Gold Pale Ale will be available for purchase at Lincoln on Saturday.
8:00 am – 12:00 pm • Saturday Eats: Smashburger + Pierogi Collab
Sew Hop’d Brewery & Taproom, One Union Special Plaza, Ste. 113, Huntley, IL (815) 701-8819 Map
Biker Dude Burgers teams up with Pierogi Jo’s.
9:00 am – 4:00 pm • New Sorbet IPA, Return of Heat Wave & More!
Energy City Brewing, 917 First St., Batavia, IL (630) 597-5581 Map
Bring the HEAT to your 4th of July parties with this week’s beer release! We’ve got Pineapple & Habanero Heat Wave Turbine for your grill-side brew needs, followed by our newest Sorbet IPA: Crimson Guava, to give you an edge in any backyard games you may play
See our full lineup below:
Available:
- Pineapple & Habanero Heat Wave Turbine, fruited American Sour Ale w/ Sabro hops & medium spiciness (6.5% ABV)
- Crimson Guava Sorbet IPA – Pink Guava & Blood Orange IPA w/ Sabro hops (6.5% ABV)
- Pineapple Coconut MOSA, Hard Seltzer Smoothie (6.5% ABV)
- Strawberry Banana MOSA, Hard Seltzer Smoothie (6.5% ABV)
- Bistro Orange Velvet – Orange, White Chocolate & Vanilla, fruited Berliner Weisse (6.5% ABV)
- Orange Swirl Turbine – Orange & Vanilla w/ Citra hops, fruited American Sour Ale (6.5% ABV)
- Triple Berry MOSA – Blueberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Hard Seltzer Smoothie (6.5% ABV)
- Pink Guava Banana MOSA, Hard Seltzer Smoothie (6.5% ABV)
New beer will be available for online pre-order Wednesday, June 30th at noon via shop.energycitybrewing.com
RSVP to this event for shopping convenience and reminders!
Drive-thru beer pickup time: Saturday, July 3rd from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
All beer is pre-sold online and delivered to your vehicle with proof of purchase and valid ID. PROXIES ALLOWED with copy of email receipt & 21+*
11:00 – 12:00 am • Pre-July 4 Special
Elmhurst Brewing Co., 171 N. Addison Ave., Elmhurst, IL 630-834-2739 Map
This Sunday is The Fourth of July and we wanted to give you a heads up that we will be CLOSED for the holiday! July 3rd we will run a $12 KALSARIKANNIT special on select Growlers and Crowlers!
12:00 pm • Taste Of Jamaica and Southern Cooking
Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing, 216 W. Clayton St., Waukegan, IL (847) 445-2467 Map
Taste Of Jamaica and Southern Cooking brings their mix of traditional Jamaican Southern Americana recipes.
12:00 pm • Lakefront Biergarten Country & BBQ Night!
Harbor Brewing Co. Lakefront Craft Biergarten, 701 North Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor, IL Map
Come join us at the Lakefront for Country & BBQ Night! BBQ starts at 430pm & Scott Mears Country Classics starts at 6pm!
2:00 – 8:00 pm • Food Truck Saturday Blue Smoke
Werk Force Brewing, 14903 S. Center St., Plainfield, IL 815-531-5557 Map
Blue Smoke BBQ will be with us Saturday,!
Enjoy a taste of sweet bbq, paired with a fresh cold brew!
2:00 pm • Big Kahuna/ Maui the Trickster Day with Grub n’ Go and The Rough Cut Band
ZümBier, 3233 Monroe, Waukegan, IL 847-420-7313 Map
Our most festive release on the biggest American holiday! Big Kahuna is our most ‘pastry stout’ to date layers of hand toasted coconut, Mexican vanilla, cacao in a high abv bier. Grub n Go will serve pineapple boats with their famous grubbie filling starting around 4 Rough Cut will play your favorites live starting at 7.
4:00 – 8:00 pm • Boils, Oysters & Brews in the Beer Garden
Plank Road Tap Room, 39W149 Plank Rd., Elgin, IL 224-238-3527 Map
Our friends from The Argonaut will be out in the barn doing what they do best….Seafood! Enjoy Hot & Ready seafood boils, fresh oysters, and lobster rolls in our award winning beer garden this summer!
We’ll post menus as the event date approaches, but in the mean time mark those calendars….you won’t want to miss this fun pop-up event!
5:00 – 9:00 pm • Calogero’s Old World Italian Pizza + live music
Mad Hatchet Brewing, 913 Brookforest Ave., Shorewood, IL Map
Calogero’s brings innovative, hand crafted pizza in its most natural form right to our backyard!
5:30 pm • Billy Denton Live & Beggars Pizza Food Truck
Whiskey Hill Brewing Company, 1115 Zygmunt Circle, Westmont, IL 630-442-7864 Map
Pizza, beer & live music, is there a better way to kick off your 4th of July weekend?!
Hangout with us in the taproom July 3rd, grab a fresh slice from Beggars Pizza’s food truck, a pour of your favorite Whiskey Hill beer straight from the tap and kick back to some live music from the talented Billy Denton!
Billy will be performing live in our taproom from 6pm-9pm. Billy creates an exciting and high energy atmosphere with music of the 90’s from Queen, Elton John and Tom Petty. Billy’s also got some 80’s music in his repertoire from Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne!
Pizza from Beggars Pizza will be sold by the slice from their food truck from 5:30-8:30.
7:00 pm • Side Lot Bingo!
Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map
We’re playing Bingo again!
Get ready to shake your balls every Tuesday night at Side Lot Brewery. Limited seating is available both inside and outside. Reservations are HIGHLY recommended.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER THE PROPERTY & ANYTIME YOU’RE NOT SEATED. If this is a problem, stay home.
7:30 pm • Fireworks Viewing
Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map
Reserved seating to watch the fireworks from the Side Lot Backyard. Kick back with some drinks and order off our full menu.
Reservations (on Tock) have a $25 minimum in food and/or drinks per person (pre-paid as a deposit). Tax and Gratuity are not included.
Reservation deposits are non-refundable, in the event, the fireworks are rescheduled, your reservation will be moved to the rescheduled date.
No Ticket, No Entry.
Independence Day, July 4
Urban Forest Closed 7/4
Urban Forest Craft Brewing, 6551 E. Riverside Blvd. #112, Rockford, IL (779) 256-2978 Map
We will be CLOSED this Sunday for the 4th of July. Be safe out there, and if someone says “Hold my Beer” I hope it’s a tasty one!
Closed July 4 & 5
Rock Island Public House, 13328 Olde S. Western Ave., Blue Island, IL 708-388-5513 Map
We will be closed Sunday and Monday, July 4th and 5th! Enjoy the holiday, and be safe!
July 4 Closed
MyGrain Brewing Co., 50 E. Jefferson St. Ste. 106, Joliet, IL (815) 345-3339 Map
We will be closed SUNDAY in observance of the 4th of July. Our hard working staff deserves the day off (Real MVPs).
Stop into the brewery beforehand this weekend to pick up for favorite 4 pack or draft crowler to share with friends and family under the fireworks.
Elgin Public House Closed July 4
Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin, IL 847-468-8810 Map
EPH will be closed on Sunday, July 4th. But don’t worry we still have you covered!! Check out our catering menu and place your order for pickup on Saturday the 3rd. Simply reheat for your party and you’re ready to go. Call today to place your order.
11:00 am – 3:00 pm • Liquid Love July 4 Specials
Liquid Love Brewing, 1310 Busch Pkwy., Buffalo Grove, IL (630) 699-2628 Map
It’s almost ‘MERICA DAY and we have some bangin’ (lol) beer specials for you at LLBC!!! Four packs of Easy Peasy dry hopped saison collab with Light the Lamp Brewery & four packs of Blue Mana, oat cream IPA are just $8.99 til Sunday (while supplies last)
Our taproom hours for Sunday 7/4 will be 11am to 3pm with 10% OFF all crowlers!
11:00 am – 3:00 pm • Werk Force 4th Hours
Werk Force Brewing, 14903 S. Center St., Plainfield, IL (815) 531-5557 Map
Please note this Sunday July 4th we’ll be closing early – Holiday hours 11-3pm
Stock up on to-go beer early!
11:00 am – 4:00 pm • Fourth of July with Miskatonic
Miskatonic Brewing Co., 1000 N. Frontage Rd, Darien, IL (630) 541-9414 Map
It is the time of year that we celebrate our independence and the country we all love, and we’re celebrating the best way we know: with beer!
We will be adjusting our hours and open from 11-4pm. Come have Dena & TJ pour you a few beers!
If you can’t join us for beers in our taproom, stop by and take some home with you! We’re offering discounts on select packaged to-go beers.
12:00 – 5:00 pm • Sunday Fun Day
The Beer and Now, 2801 Ogden Ave., Ste 7, Lisle, IL (630) 946-6660 Map
Every Sunday stop by for $1 off all draft beers!
1:00 pm • July 4th with Sour Peach!
Brother Chimp Brewing, 1059 W. Orchard Rd, North Aurora, IL (630) 800-1724 Map
Sour Peach will be back at the brewery serving up their tasty steam bun sandwiches on the 4th of July starting at 1pm!!
Menu coming soon!
Filed under:
Beer Calendar
Tags:
Beer Run Day, Independence Day, Skeleton Key, Vienna Beef, ZümBier
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