FoBAB Celebrates 20 Years as North America’s Largest and Most Prestigious Festival of its Kind

28 Oct FoBAB Celebrates 20 Years as North America’s Largest and Most Prestigious Festival of its Kind

FoBAB returns to Credit Union 1 Arena for an in-person celebration two decades in the making 

For Immediate Release: The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild announces the return of the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB), North America’s largest and most prestigious barrel-aged beer festival and competition.

Now in its 20^th year, FoBAB will celebrate the history and legacy of the nationally recognized festival and competition, the innovation and craftsmanship that defines barrel-aged brewing, and the pioneers and industry leaders who have guided the craft beer industry through two decades of growth and expansion!

On November 4-5, brewers and attendees from coast to coast will descend on Chicago for a showcase of the industry’s rarest and most unique craft beer, cider, mead, and perry – all of which has been thoughtfully aged in contact with wood, creating depth, flavor, and texture that is impossible to achieve otherwise. The event is anchored by two in-person tasting sessions, a fierce competition and award ceremony, and the opportunity to sample hundreds of barrel-aged beers across 12 unique style categories.

image credit: FOBAB

“FoBAB has proven to be a festival and competition that stands the test of time,” said Katie Carrier, associate director for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, which hosts the annual festival and competition. “Only at FoBAB in Chicago can you get the level of artistry, craftsmanship, and passion that is essential to brewing and ageing this type of craft beer. We’re honored to have some of the best barrel-aging breweries right here in Illinois, and to welcome so many others from coast to coast to participate in this once-a-year showcase of innovation and excellence in our industry.”

[ Indiana breweries participating in 2022 FOBAB – 2Toms Brewing, 3 Floyds Brewing, Four Fathers Brewing, Misbeehavin’ Meads, Sun King Brewing – Fishers, Sun King Brewing – Indy, Taxman Brewing]

In-Person Festival: The 20^th anniversary of FoBAB features two in-person tasting sessions on Friday, November 4 (6:00 – 10:00 p.m.) and Saturday, November 5 (1:00 – 5:00 p.m.) at Credit Union 1 Arena (525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607). Attendees will enjoy samples of approximately 200 barrel-aged beers from more than 150 breweries situated throughout the main floor, around the concourse, and outdoor, while an ‘Oasis’ lounge will provide a reprieve from the traditionally higher ABV samples available on the festival floor. Once again, food will be available for purchase throughout the arena.

image credit: FOBAB

This milestone event and celebration will be fully in-person so we can celebrate two decades of barrel-aged excellence as a community. There will be no virtual or to-go component of FoBAB for 2022.

General admission tickets are $85 plus processing and go on sale Friday, August 26 at 10:00 a.m. CT.

FOBAB TICKETS | www.fobab.com

FoBAB Competition: This year, more than 150 craft breweries from across the country will submit approximately 200 of their best wood and barrel-aged beer, cider, mead, and perry for judging. A panel of expert judges and stewards will evaluate FoBAB entries, awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals as well as ‘Best in Show’ honors across 12 style categories, including an all-new “Lagers” category. The award ceremony will be hosted during the second session and will be livestreamed on the FoBAB Facebook Page and Illinois Craft Brewers Guild YouTube channel.

Competition Categories

1. Strong Porter & Stout
2. Specialty Strong Porter & Stout
3. Barleywine/Wheatwine
4. Other Pale Beer
5. Lagers
6. Other Dark Beer
7. Fruit Beer
8. Specialty & Experimental Beer
9. Wild Beer-Brett
10. Wild Beer-Mixed Culture/Acidic
11. Wild Beer-Mixed Culture/Acidic with Fruit
12. Cider/Perry Mead

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.fobab.com. For real-time updates,  follow FoBAB on Facebook(@FoBABOfficial), Twitter (@FoBABOfficial) and Instagram (@fobab).

20^th Celebration of the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer 

About the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild: The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the development and expansion of the craft beer industry in Illinois. Founded in 1997, ICBG focuses its efforts on member and consumer education, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and the promotion of its member craft breweries. Learn more at www.illinoisbeer.org and follow along on Facebook (Illinois Craft Brewers Guild), Twitter (@IllinoisBeer), and Instagram (ILCraftBeer).