Pushing to get this article into production. Oktoberfests are slowly winding down, just in time for Halloween beer events.

There is surprisingly more expansion to come in the local beer scene. Black & Gray Brewing in East Dundee has announced they will be expanding, nearly doubling their taproom space and tripling production. Could store distribution be far behind? (Courier-News)

Monday, October 11

7:00 – 9:00 pm • 45th Ward Beer Release and Pop Up
Gale Street Inn, 4914 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 773-725-1300 Map
Come and celebrate the home-grown hops of the 45th ward. Local brewery Lake Effect invites the neighborhood beer lovers for an evening of beer and bites. Join us as John Badal from North Branch Fried Chicken pops up in the bar with his fabulous bites, and Clint Bautz pours his beer. $45 per ticket (Eventbrite) includes, three beer tickets for the annual 45th Ward Beer and bar bites.

7:00 – 9:00 pm • Euchre Game Night
Evil Horse Brewing Co., 1338 Main St., Crete, IL 708-304-2907 Map
Euchre Game Night is back! If you’ve played before, welcome back! If you’ve never played, come a little early and we’ll teach you how to play. We have a lot of fun playing – and you can win some great prizes!

Tuesday, October 12

6:00 – 9:00 pm • Beer on the Wall Bottle Share
Beer on the Wall, 106 Main St., Park Ridge, IL 312-720-3732  Map
The BotW Bottle Share has returned! Bring a commercially packaged (sorry, no homebrews) limited/seasonal/out-of-market beer with you, and be ready to share it with others in exchange for samples of their limited/seasonal/out-of-market beer. For example:
Good ideas: Heady Topper, Dark Lord, Side Project anything, Lost Abbey Isabelle Proximus (Izzy).
Bad idea: That beer you bought off our shelves 5 minutes before the event started.
Even worse idea: That beer you bought off the shelves at that big box liquor store a couple weeks ago (at least buy it local, jeez)!
Some other logistic notes:
1. Bottle shares will be held every second Monday from 6-9pm. They will be outdoors when possible and will be held at Off the Wall in the event of inclement weather.
2. If you’re planning to attend, please post what you’re bringing on the event page so we can limit duplicates and potentially build verticals/themes.
3. In the interest of time, we will only enter 1-2 beers per person in the official share. Folks are welcome to bring more but excess beers will only be opened after the formal part of the share is complete.
4. Attendees do not need a ticket to attend, though we may introduce limits later in the interest of space.
5. In the interest of organization and alcoholic liability, BotW staff will collect bottles at the start of the event and open/pour bottles in an orderly fashion. If you are overserved, BotW staff reserves the right to cut you off at any time–NO EXCEPTIONS.
6. When at all possible, please bring two beers of smaller format bottles so folks aren’t getting 0.65 oz of beer.
7. No scoffing or disrespect to other beer drinkers. Scoffers will be sent home with a 6pk of expired Hamms.

6:00 pm • Pumpkin Carving
Woodie’s Flat, 1535 N. Wells St., Chicago 312-643-0093 Map
Join us at Woodies on Tuesday for Pumpkin Carving & Tapping!
We will be carving pumpkins, and enjoying food and drinks…but wait there is a twist! We will be TAPPING the pumpkins too! That’s right, you can enjoy a delicious beer options right out of a pumpkin!
Visit woodieschicago.com to secure your pumpkin and reservation

6:30 – 8:00 pm • Sips and Succulents “Spooky Nights”
Village Vintner Winery & Brewery, 2380 Esplanade Dr., Algonquin, IL (847) 658-4900 Map
Village Vintner & Trippots are teaming up to present a Sips & Succulents DIY Planting night!
Your registration will include your choice of (1) glass of wine or (1) 16 oz beer, along with all the supplies needed to create your very own Spooky nights Air plant Terrarium! Trippots will walk you through all of the Tips & Tricks to assemble and care for your new Green friends!
Registration Includes, All of this fun!
– Choice of (1) glass of wine or (1) 16 oz beer
– Glass Terrarium w/lid 7″H x 5″W
– Choice of 3-4 air plants
– Choice of 3-4 Spooky night decorations
– Choice of 3-4 decorative sand bases
– Trippots’ tips and tricks for Air plant care!
Spots are limited! Register today!$36 at Eventbrite.

Wednesday, October 13

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!!!

5:00 – 8:00 pm • Nice Buns’ BAO BUNS in the Beer Garden!
Wolfden Brewing, 112 W. Lake St., Bloomingdale, IL (847) 610-5117 Map
Come enjoy Nice Buns‘ delicious Asian-Fusion bao buns with a spooky twist especially for our Halloween-themed Game Night!
From the mind of Chef Jesse Avery, Nice Buns literally flips the traditional filled and steamed bao bun sideways with a variety of creative combinations.
Grab a bun and a beer in the Wolfden Beer Garden on Wednesday, October 13th from 5-8p and come play some scary free trivia!
From 6 to 9 pm, Game Night With Kyle returns with an ALL-HALLOWEEN edition of trivia night! Four terrifying rounds of questions, two lightning rounds, and a very special spooky halftime game! Free to play and a prize to the winning team!

5:00 pm • Special Tapping: Founders KBS and Variants
The Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe St., Chicago (773) 883-0817 Map
Join us and reps from the brewery while we tap the following beers in the Founders Brewing Co. KBS lineup:
2018 KBS • 2019 KBS • KBS Espresso • KBS Mackinac Fudge • KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa

Thursday, October 14

4:00 – 7:00 pm • Riverwalk Yappy Hour At The Northman
The Northman Beer & Cider Garden, 233 E. Riverwalk, Chicago  Map
Bring your pups down to the Northman Beer and Cider Garden every 2nd and 4th Thursday, to our outdoor dog-friendly space on the Riverwalk from 4-7PM.
Rotating drink specials, giveaways, sponsors and promotions. It’s our ninth Yappy Hour with Real Dog Moms of Chicago!
This month our friends at JuneShine Hard Kombucha are partnering with us. 25% of all JuneShine will be donated to Mutts of the Midway. Our buddies from Ruff Haus Pets will be here with treats and giveaways for your pups!
PS The Northman is Dog-friendly all of the time.

5:00 – 8:00 pm • Revolution Deep Woods Preview Extravaganza Party
The Beer Cellar, 488 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 630-315-5060 Map
& The Beer Cellar Geneva, 204 W. State St., Geneva, IL (630) 315-5060 Map
We have the perfect night planned for you. Here is the draft list for the evening:
Revolution Deth’s Tar – Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout.
Cafe Deth – Deth’s Tar Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout w/ Dark Matter coffee
Deth by Raspberries – Deth’s Tar Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout w/ Raspberries
DDH Stratasphero – DDH IPA w/ Chinook, Citra, Mosaic, Trident, Nelson Sauvin, and Motueka
Anti-Hero – IPA w/ Citra, Crystal, Centennial, and Chinook
Rev Pils – American craft style Pilsner and all-German ingredients
Freedom of Speach – A soaring wave of lush ripe peach, elevated by a naturally tart finish.

5:30 – 7:00 pm • Networking Untapped Business Mixer
Tapville Social – Fox Valley, 195 Fox Valley Center Dr., Aurora, IL (877) 312-8277 Map
Join Community Collective at 5:30 PM for Networking Untapped, a FREE after-hours business mixer at Tapville Social in the Fox Valley Mall. Build new relationships and connect with like-minded professionals.
Everyone is welcomed! Invite your friends and colleagues. And don’t forget to bring plenty of business cards.
Networking Untapped events are held every 2nd Thursday of the month from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Tapville Social.

5:30 – 9:00 pm • Kiwanis Oktoberfest
Warehouse 109, 14903 S. Center St, #109, Plainfield, IL  Map
Kiwanis Club of Plainfield Presents Oktoberfest 2021! Learn More At kiwanisoktoberfest.com
Menu:
• Brat
• German potato salad
• Apple strudel
• German pretzel
• Beer tasting with Will County Brewing Co.
Live Music, Beer stein holding contest.
All proceeds go to the Plainfield Kiwanis Scholarship Fund benefiting kids in the Plainfield area!
Food and beer tasting admission $40, food only $30.

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 – 9:00 pm • Barktoberfest: Trivia Edition!
One Lake Brewing Co., 1 Lake St., Oak Park, IL (708) 434-5232 Map
Celebrate Fall with Animal Care League! Register: barktoberfest2021.funraise.org
Raise your glass, shout “PROST,” and join us for trivia, raffles plus local beer and eats! Grab your family and friends to form a trivia team and compete to win a tour and tasting at One Lake Brewing and exclusive Animal Care League swag!
Tickets: $35. Admission includes entry to the event and trivia game. All food and beverages will be purchased directly from our venue partner, One Lake Brewing.
Raffle Tickets: 1 for $5 // 5 for $20
Try your luck in our pick your prize raffle to win a Barktoberfest Booze Basket or a $100 Amazon gift card!
All proceeds benefit Animal Care League. Sorry, no 4 legged guests!
Can’t make the event? Consider making a donation! Give here!
Thank you to our venue partner One Lake Brewing for donating the event space and thank you to Park Ridge Dental Associates and Gaile Cerniauskas DDS for underwriting the event.
For the health and safety of all attendees, staff, and volunteers we ask that guests please present their COVID-19 vaccination card or a negative COVID test at the door. A photo/digital copy of either will be accepted. Thank you for your understanding!

6:00 pm • Trivia at Great Central
Great Central Brewing Co., 221 N. Wood St., Chicago (855) 464-4222 Map
TRIVIA’S BACK!
Love to test your knowledge while sharing some laughs with friends, and 24 beers on tap?!
Maybe you just want to try something different than your typical Thursday night? Our Trivia night is for you!

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!

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:
October – Maplewood Brewery & Distillery
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 • Is/Was Beer Dinner
Jeff & Judes, 1024 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA  Map
Join us and Is/Was Brewing for the release of Window Fishing, a Kvass style rye saison in collaboration with Jeff & Judes’ marble rye. Enjoy Ursula Siker’s casual coursed dinner inspired and accompanied by the limited time Is/Was Brewing for one night only!
Includes: 3 courses with beer pairing. $60 per ticket. Reserve through Tock.

7:00 pm • 2000s Music Bingo
The Brass Tap, 14225 95th Ave., Ste. 400, Orland Park, IL 708-226-1827 Map
It’s Name That Tune meets Traditional Bingo. You hear the song, you mark it off. If you get a Bingo you win a prize! FREE TO PLAY! Yes, you can use your phones.
Call the Bar to reserve your table!

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 – 10:00 pm • Thriller Thursdays at Lo Rez Brewerry
Lo Rez Brewing and Taproom, 2101 S. Carpenter St., Chicago (888) 404-2262 Map
Join us every Thursday in October at 7:30 PM for classic thriller movies on a giant projector in the taproom.
10.14 – Friday the 13th
10.21 – The Shining
10.28 – Beetlejuice, followed by after hours feature The Witch
Cheese flights, pretzels, beer & more will be available to distract you when necessary
Thanks to our friends at El Paseo Community Garden for offering us the big screen!