The homebrew shop Chicago Brew Works has announced they will be closing this summer. They Plainfield store was in business for ten years, and spun off its own commercial brewery, Werk Force Brewing. In their Facebook post announcing their closing, they noted that the home brewing hobby has been in decline for a few years. “Hobbies come and go for everyone and we realized that our time has come to refocus our thoughts and passion.” The post linked above notes they will be open Saturdays, July 10 & 17 for liquidation sales, and then will retrench to deal with the rest of their inventory. The shop space will be used as an expansion for the brewery operation, including a barrel aging program.

Monday, July 5

12:00 – 8:00 pm • Holiday (Hangover) Hangs
Solemn Oath, 1661 Quincy Ave. #179, Naperville IL (630) 995-3062 Map
We rarely rock a Monday banger at the brewery, but our Naperville staff rips and they specifically asked that we open up the Solemn Springs Community Oasis to host our SOB homies (aka: YOU!) on the ‘observed’ holiday for some special hangs knowing many of you fine folks have may off work and may also have the hankering to get ‘soapy’ with some SOB suds and your buds.
The food sitch is BYOF for Monday, so grab some 4th leftovers from the fridge or some snacks at da Jewels on the way over to SOB and plant your flag to observe the fourth with us.

7:00 – 8:30 pm • Yahtzee Game Night
Evil Horse Brewing Co., 1338 Main St., Crete, IL 708-304-2907 Map
We’re playing YAHTZEE (in a socially distanced way, of course!). Come with a group of your besties, or just by yourself. We will play 4 rounds of Yahtzee, and the group with the best average score wins! You can play with 2 or more in your group. If you don’t have a group, we’ll set you up! Feel free to bring your own Yahtzee set if you’d prefer, but we’ll have plenty of sets to play with as well.

Tuesday, July 6

11:00 am – 5:00 pm • Vinyl Record Night
Holzlager Brewing Co., 150 S. Eastwood Dr., Woodstock, IL (815) 308-5901 Map
Bring your records or spin ours.
Celebrate music in the taproom.
Food and Beer specials.
Try your luck in our private gaming parlor.

4:00 – 7:00 pm • Fiesta de Frida
The Beer Cellar, 488 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 630-315-5060 Map
To celebrate the 114th birthday of Frida Kahlo we are throwing a little party and dual movie screening! Join us for a Frida Birthday party. We will have Javi’s Burritos on-site serving tacos on the patio. We are also partnering with Casa Humilde Cervecería to pour their beer for the event. The movies will be playing on the projector in Suite B.
5pm: Coco (2017)
7pm: Frida (2002)
Beer List:
Maizal Mexican Lager • Maizal Sal y Limon Lager • Alba Amber • Pa’La Casa Tamarind Michelada
If you haven’t had a chance to go see the Frida exhibit at The McAninch Arts Center, it will be there all summer!

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.

Wednesday, July 7

11:30 am • Biker Dude Pop-up
Holzlager Brewing Co., 150 S. Eastwood Dr., Woodstock, IL (815) 308-5901 Map
Bike Dude Smash Burgers is coming to Woodstock to SMASH the beef. Join us for this very special event. Taproom and Beer Garden are set and ready.

7:00 – 9:00 pm • Trivia Night
Black & Gray Brewing Co., 311 Barrington Ave., East Dundee, IL (224) 484-8200 Map
Trivia is back at Black & Gray Brewing! Come out, test your knowledge, win prizes, and have a pint or two!

7:00 pm • Harry Potter Trivia
The Brass Tap, 14225 95th Ave. Ste. 400, Orland Park, IL 708‑226‑1827 Map
Are you a Harry Potter Fan?? Grab your friends and come out and play Harry Potter Trivia and win some prizes. it’s free to play. Call the bar to reserve your table!
Hosted by Finer Points Trivia!

7:00 pm • Trivia Wednesdays at Black Lung
Black Lung Brewing Co., 2217 IL-83, Round Lake Beach, IL (847) 340-3320 Map
Fantastic fun through trivia and yummy craft beer drinking!!! With Dancing In The Rain DJ!!
Food always available from Ron’s Italian Ovens! Just go to their website, enter as a “pick up”, then under food instructions type “black lung”, and they deliver for free.

Thursday, July 8

4:00 – 9:30 pm • Thursday Night Tacos!
Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map
You’ve been asking when Tacos are coming back to Side Lot.
Taco Thursdays kick off on June 3rd and will continue every Thursday night.
Make your reservations!

4:00 – 7:00 pm • An Evening With Is/Was Brewing
The Beer and Now, 2801 Ogden Ave., Suite 7, Lisle, IL (630) 946-6660 Map
We’re super excited to host Is/Was Brewing for a little shindig July 8th! Mike, the owner/brewer will be on hand to sample some beers and talk saisons.

5:30 – 7:30 pm • Music Bingo at Noon Whistle Brewing Naperville
Noon Whistle Brewing, 1748 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 331-431-4882 Map
Join Baig of Tricks Entertainment on Thursday for a fun night of Music Bingo at the brand new Noon Whistle Brewing in Naperville!
Enjoy some delicious brews and great music with a chance to win prizes at the same time.
Please respect and follow all COVID-19 restrictions set in place by the venue so everyone has a great, and safe, time.
Feel free to call the venue ahead of time for details and any questions.

6:00 – 8:30 pm • Chicago Brew Cruise
Chicago Fireboat Tours  Map
Chicago Fireboat Tours and Phase Three Brewing Co. are partnering up to offer one of the most unique experiences in Chicago, every Thursday evening all summer-long!!
Phase Three Brewing Company will be bringing just days-old fresh, new releases directly from their Chicagoland brewery every week to serve aboard Chicago Fireboat Tours’ 1933 retired Chicago Fireboat, the Fred A. Busse.
Boarding begins at 6:00p.m and the boat departs at 6:30pm for a 2-hour sunset cruise. The Brew Cruise will start on the lake, float through the locks and right into the heart of downtown Chicago via the Chicago River, enjoying world-class views, an amazing sunset, and great music; all paired with fresh, innovative craft beers and hard seltzers.
Tickets are $45 per person at www.fireboattours.com, and include your 1st Phase Three brew once onboard. 

6:00 pm • Harry Potter Trivia
Empirical Brewery, 1801 W. Foster Ave., Chicago (773) 654-1565 Map
“It’s Levi-OH-sa not Levioh-SA!”
Get your RSVP’s in now! Email [email protected] with your reservation. Tables of up to 6 people allowed! Space is going fast and seating is limited!!!!

7:00 – 9:00 pm • Trivia Night
Miskatonic Brewing Co., 1000 N. Frontage Rd., Darien, IL (630) 541-9414 Map
Are you tired of sitting at home answering every question correct on Jeopardy with nothing to show for it?
Join Heather with Baig of Tricks Entertainment at Miskatonic Brewing Co. for two full hours of general knowledge trivia, including awesome themed bonus rounds and everyone’s favorite – the music round!
While we’re testing your wit, Miskatonic will keep you fueled up with their fantastic selection of craft brews!
Trivia is always free to play, but we’re not just playing for fun – the top teams each night take home some awesome prizes!
**Please follow ALL Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions put in place by the venue, and here are a few extra tips:
1) Please bring your own pen/pencil. Our host will have pencils just in case, but it would be best to use your own for everyone’s safety & comfort.
2) The questions will be read by your host over our PA system, but may not be displayed on a screen if one is not easily available.
3) Any and all rules/restrictions are subject to change.

7:30 pm • Arrested Development Trivia
Elmhurst Brewing Co., 171 N. Addison Ave., Elmhurst, IL 630-834-2739 Map
Our next Trivia night is going to be July 8th at 7:30pm and we are definitely encouraging costumes! ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT is the theme and as always it is 100% free to play. Call (630) 834-BREW (2739) to secure a table,

7:30 pm • Seinfeld Trivia
Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda, IL 847-714-2584 Map
Enjoy delicious local beer and fare at Side Lot’s outdoor lounge while testing your knowledge of the show about nothing!
RESERVATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: exploretock.com/sidelotbrewing