FOBAB 2024 in Chicago

The Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) is the largest and most prestigious gathering of its kind in the US, held in Chicago since the early 2000s. This annual event provides beer enthusiasts the chance to sample from over 150 craft breweries, each showcasing their finest wood-aged beers, ciders, mead, and perry. Taking place over a weekend in mid-November at the Credit Union 1 Arena, FoBAB is a must-attend festival for any craft beer lover.

Events & Activities

At the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB), attendees can enjoy over 350 expertly crafted beers, ciders, meads, and perries across 13 unique style categories, all thoughtfully hand-crafted and aged with wood or in wood barrels. Many of these brews are exclusive to the festival.

The event features two unique spaces for a different tasting experience. The second-floor Lager Lounge showcases a variety of local lagers. At the same time, Revolution Brewery's Super-Zero Lounge offers hop-forward, non-alcoholic options for those looking to enjoy flavorful drinks without the alcohol. Additionally, FoBAB hosts a prestigious competition that recognizes the best craftsmanship in the aged beer industry, making it a standout event for beer enthusiasts.

Tickets & Tasting Schedule

General admission for the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) is $85. Session 1 will be held on Friday, November 22, from 6 to 10 pm, with ImBIBE entry starting at 5 pm. Session 2 takes place on Saturday, November 23, from 1 to 5 pm, with ImBIBE entry beginning at noon.

Competitions & Awards

Before the public tasting starts, a panel of judges evaluates all beer, cider, mead, and perry participating in FoBAB's competition and awards gold, silver, and bronze medals in 14 categories. The award ceremony usually takes place during the second session on the second day of the festival. The ceremony is streamed live on FoBAB's Facebook page and YouTube.