5th Annual Beer in the Woods

Mon Sep 20 2021 at 06:00 pm to Sat Sep 25 2021 at 06:00 pm

LaBagh Woods | Chicago

Friends of the Forest Preserves
Publisher/HostFriends of the Forest Preserves
5th Annual Beer in the Woods
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Sip beer and enjoy the outdoors while supporting the Friends community and our work to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves.
About this Event

View photos from Beer in the Woods

Your favorite event of the fall season is back! And this year it's extra special...

We can’t wait for you to join us at LaBagh Woods on Saturday, September 25, 1 - 6 p.m. for the best beer and nature festival in the Chicagoland area. Take a stroll through the woods on a guided bird walk, learn about snakes while one slithers up your arm, participate in a flash bioblitz (don’t worry – you’ll learn what that is!), and drink some of the region’s most delicious craft beer and cider. All this and much, much more!

Programming includes (timed):

  • Yoga in the grass by Jenny Arrington of Rebel Human (1:30 & 3:00)
  • Family wellness walks by Elizabeth (Betsy) Duke, Psy.D., Clinical Director & Licensed Clinical Psychologist at LifeWorks Psychotherapy Center (2:30 & 3:30)
  • Bird walks by Jeff Skrentny, Friends member and LaBagh Woods volunteer (3:30 & 4:30)
  • Lichen walks by Todd Widhelm, Collections Manager (Mycology and Lichenology) at the Field Museum (2:30 & 4:00)
  • Flash bioblitz using iNaturalist by Derek Ziomber, North Branch Field Organizer at Friends (3:00 & 4:00)

Entertainment and displays (1 - 6p.m.):

  • BFF Bikes will have a bike clinic, including free assessments
  • Crafts table with "design-your-own" tree cookies
  • DJ CatieO, a.k.a. "Tree-J" will be spinning awesome tunes
  • Frog Lady Presentations will feature her frogs and snakes and more
  • Gnome Brew will show us how to brew at home
  • Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education will display their stunning birds of prey
  • RHINO Poetry Magazine will have a nature poetry table to help you pen your poems

This year we’ll also have a week-long virtual festival leading up to Saturday’s event! Starting Monday, September 20 through Friday, September 24, we’ll offer a virtual program each night from 6-7 p.m. Learn about the natural world, enjoy beer with a brewmaster, and even find some inner peace with a virtual yoga class. The virtual festival is perfect for folks who can’t make it to Saturday’s event and for diehards who can’t get enough Beer in the Woods!

Virtual festival line-up:

  • Monday, September 20: Virtual Tasting with Maplewood Brewery and Distillery
  • Tuesday, September 21: Meet and Greet the Animals with Frog Lady Presentations
  • Wednesday, September 22: Yoga with Rebel Human at Temperance Beer Co.
  • Thursday, September 23: Virtual Tasting and Behind-the-Scenes Tour with Old Irving Brewing Co.
  • Friday, September 24: Beer and Nature Trivia Night with Nick Tryling

Tickets for each festival are sold separately, but there is a discount for purchasing tickets to both.

And, there's more! We'll also have an online auction and an in-person raffle. Win beer, camping gear, a private bird walk for four, and more!

For the fastest updates on breweries, cideries, and activities, give us a "like" on our event page.

Purchasing tickets to either festival means:

  • You’re helping to make the world a better place. All of the proceeds from this event will be used to ensure that land, water, and life will always thrive in the forest preserves.
  • You’re supporting local businesses. The pandemic has hit small businesses and breweries especially hard. We’re proud to partner with amazing local businesses that help our neighborhoods thrive.
  • You know how to have fun! Beer in the Woods isn’t just about sampling local craft beers and ciders, it’s about connecting with nature, friends, and your inner adventurer.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Want to reach an engaged audience of beer aficionados and nature enthusiasts? Then contact Ilana Federman at [email protected] or 312-356-9990 ext. 305 for details on how you can become a sponsor or make a donation today.

Delicious beverages thanks to these wonderful folks (list subject to change):

  • Alarmist Brewing
  • Aleman
  • Bold Dog Beer Co.
  • Cahoots Brewing
  • Casa Humilde
  • CHAOS Brew Club
  • Dovetail Brewery
  • Eris Brewery and Cider House
  • Forbidden Root
  • Gigawatt Coffee Roasters
  • JuneShine Hard Kombucha
  • Lake Effect Brewing Company
  • Lil Beaver Brewery
  • Maplewood Brewery and Distillery
  • Marz Community Brewing Company
  • Midwest Coast
  • Odious Cellars
  • Old Irving Brewing Co.
  • On Tour Brewing Company
  • Phase Three Brewing Company
  • Pipeworks Brewing Co.
  • Ravinia Brewing Company
  • Right Bee Cider
  • Saugatuck Brewing Co.
  • Shortfuse Brewing Company
  • Sketchbook Brewing Company
  • Temperance Beer Co.
  • Two Doors Down
  • Urban Brew Labs
  • Whiner Beer Co.

Food for purchase from these great folks:

  • Fat Shallot
  • Urban Tables

Generous support from these caring folks: 

  • Anonymous donation in honor of Jeff Skrentny and his volunteer restoration efforts at LaBagh Woods
  • Blue Brain Consulting
  • Bob Dolgan
  • Bronca
  • Budget Dumpster
  • Cabot Creamery Co-operative
  • David Lee Csicsko
  • DeanHouston+
  • JuneShine Hard Kombucha
  • Perrenial Artisan Ales
  • Pizzo Group
  • REI Co-op
  • Revolution Brewing
  • Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC
  • Target
  • Third Coast Birding
  • Whole Foods Market
  • Wines for Humanity

FAQs:

For everyone's safety, please note the following safety protocols:

Anyone who is not vaccinated is required to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible.

Social distancing is strongly encouraged, even by those who are vaccinated.

Hand sanitizer will be widely available and we strongly encourage you to use it throughout the event. Disposable gloves will also be provided for those who wish to use them.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will readily comply with CDC guidelines and local authorities. We appreciate your understanding of any adjustments that need to be made due to changes in these guidelines between now and the event. We will keep you updated if new information becomes available.

Where is LaBagh Woods?

LaBagh Woods is a forest preserve at the corner of W. Foster Ave. and N. Cicero Ave. in the Sauganash Neighborhood on the northwest side of Chicago. The address is 5275 N. Cicero Ave. and can be accessed via N. Cicero Ave. This event takes place in Groves 2 and 3.  

Are there ID or minimum age requirements?

All ages are welcome, but you must be 21 or older with a valid ID to drink at this event. Children five years or older must have a ticket (under 5 are free). Non-drinker tickets are available for $15.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Masks are no longer required for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Unvaccinated people must wear a mask outdoors when physical distancing is not possible.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

There are parking lots throughout LaBagh Woods (enter at 5275 N. Cicero Ave., just south of W. Berwyn Ave.). We strongly encourage bringing a designated driver. Non-drinker tickets are available for $15.

Biking is also a great option. LaBagh Woods is accessible via the North Branch Trail, which runs for nearly 20 miles through Cook County. Bike racks will be provided at no cost to you! View a bike map to find the best route: http://bit.ly/2uWD4J5.

Public transportation or a rideshare service may be an option as well. LaBagh Woods is accessible via the #92 Foster Avenue bus (http://www.transitchicago.com/bus/92/). Get off at Foster & Cicero and follow the signs to Grove 2.

What is not allowed at this event?

  • No glass
  • No guns
  • No outside beer, no beer sharing, and no bottle sharing

What's the refund policy?

All sales are final, but transfers are allowed. This event will take place rain or shine, unless there is lightning. If this event is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, your ticket price will be considered a donation to Friends of the Forest Preserves.  

Will tickets be sold at the door? 

Yes, as long as we don't sell out. However, tickets will be more expensive, so we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.

Do I need to bring a ticket?

Tickets will be scanned on your phone. However, if you don't have a smartphone, please print and bring a paper ticket.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ilana Federman at [email protected] or 312-356-9990.


Event Photos
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

LaBagh Woods, 5275 North Cicero Avenue, Chicago, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 500.00

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