Brewery News: IL: 8/24–8/31 Deschutes Brewing brings Woody & Base Camp to Chicago!
Every once in a while this writer is reminded about how good we have it in the region.
With breweries like Black Raven, Upright, Hair of the Dog, or Grand Teton, I often forget that the rest of the country isn't as blessed. Yes there are exceptional breweries in states like California, Colorado, or Michigan. But there are just as many states who have yet to echo the same sentiments (re:blessings).
Which is why I'm happy to report that Deschutes is bringing Woody and the Deschutes Base Camp festival to Chicago.
What is Base Camp? I'll let the brewery speak for themselves.
What is Base Camp you may ask? It’s a place where Deschutes Brewery offers beer fanatics a spot to “pitch a tent” of sorts – and find their footing with the cornerstone of Mirror Pond Pale Ale. Deschutes Brewery Base Camp is a celebration of Mirror Pond’s easy-drinking goodness, along with many more of the brewery’s passion-heavy, pioneering brews. The Deschutes Brewery team is traveling around to cities all over the West and Midwest, providing passionate fans with a seriously fun exploration of beer. Make the trek to Base Camp. It all begins here…
With a focus on promoting food pairings, tastings, and of course Woody; the event is an opportunity for those who've been beer trading to get their hands on a fresher bottle of Black Butte Porter.
Starting on August 24th, Deschutes will feature their beers at the 3rd Annual Midwest Brewers Fest before hosting events on each day through the week.
Oh and about Woody, here's more from the Deschutes Brewing
Woody, our good-times-on-wheels mobile bar, will be meeting and greeting fans around the region throughout Base Camp week. In Chicago, Woody may be found roving around your neighborhood so you can get photos, grab some swag and have some afternoon fun. Follow him at @dbwoody!
Want to find Woody traveling around Chicago? Here are some locations to be at if you want a photo opp’.
- Tues, 8/27, 12-3pm West Town and Division Street
- Wed, 8/28, 12-3pm West Loop and Madison Street
- Thurs, 8/29, 12-3pm Andersonville
Saturday August 24th, 2013
- 12pm – 6pm
Midwest Brewers Fest featuring Woody the mobile bar at Plainfield Riverfront Park
Lockport St, Plainfield, Illinois 60544
Deschutes Brewery is coming all the way from Oregon to celebrate at the Midwest Brewers Fest! Woody, Deschutes Brewery’s giant traveling beer barrel, will be there to greet craft beer fans with his tasty taps. There will be SO many delicious brews to sample, including Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, Inversion IPA, and the brewery’s summer seasonal Twilight Summer Ale. See you all there!
- 6:30pm – ?
Midwest Brewers Fest After Party at the Taphouse Grill
24402 W Lockport St, Plainfield, IL 60544
There’s nothing like a party that ends too soon – and that’s why Deschutes Brewery is extending the Brewers Fest fun with one heck of an after party. With a special post-festival keg tapping and a chance to meet and chat with the Deschutes Brewery crew (here all the way from Oregon), this is a party you don’t want to miss. Fall in love with specialty beers like the new Fresh Squeezed IPA and the elusive Armory XPA.
Sunday August 25th, 2013 12-5pm
- Sunday “Bucket-O-Beer” Funday at the Cedar Hotel featuring Woody the mobile bar
1112 N. State St. Chicago, IL 60654
Sunday is always funday, but what about when you add a “bucket o’ beer” to the mix? Super funday! The Deschutes Brewery gang is traveling down from Oregon with Woody, their giant traveling beer barrel. You’ll have a chance to win some awesome giveaways – if you have a Jeopardy-style mind with a pension for trivia. Be sure to collect a pint glass while sipping on Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Chainbreaker White IPA and Inversion IPA.
Monday August 26th, 2013 5pm – 9pm
- Beat The Brewer Base Camp Kickoff at Southport Lanes featuring Woody
3325 N Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
The official kickoff event for Deschutes Brewery’s week-long Base Camp for Beer Fanatics celebration in Chicagoland! Are you a bowling champ? Then you’ll have a chance to beat Deschutes brewery Kyle Spencer on the lanes and win cool Deschutes Brewery gear. Best of all, while you’re bench jockeying with your buddies, you’ll be sipping on great brews like the newly released anniversary beer, Black Butte XXV, and the refreshing Fresh Squeezed IPA. The brewery’s mascot, a giant traveling beer barrel, will be available to party with visitors (and squeeze in a photo op or two).
Tuesday August 27th, 2013 5-9pm
- Hats Off to Homebrewers at Horse Thief Hollow featuring Woody the mobile bar
10426 S. Western Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60643
Attention homebrewers and beer geeks…come share your love for craft at Horse Thief Hollow with the gang from Deschutes Brewery. Chat with Horse Thief Brewer Dave Williams and Deschutes Brewer Kyle Spencer while learning about (and sipping on) their Saison collaboration brew. Gather complimentary brewing supplies, including clone recipe booklets and bags of whole flower hops, to use in your next homebrew (supplies are limited). But that’s not all…
Enjoy pints of Deschutes Brewery beers like the collaborative Saison, Black Butte XXV and Chainbreaker White IPA plus samples of ultra-rare Black Butte XXII (never before released) and special barrel-aged collaboration brew, Collage. Enjoy side-by-side samples of beers from both breweries paired with bites from local chef Graham Elliot. Mix in unique live entertainment from Environmental Encroachment and support of a fantastic charity Beverly Arts Center and it all adds up to a can’t-miss-night!
Grab a fellow homebrewer or craft beer fan and join us for this amazing event! $10 (gets you two full pints or two beer & food pairings). Additional tokens are $5. Get tickets, at the door or visit http://deschutes-horsethief.eventbrite.com
Wednesday August 28th, 2013
- 5pm – 8pm
Black Butte Flights & Bites at Standard Market
333 East Ogden Ave., Westmont, Illinois 60559
If you love porters and you love delicious food, then tonight’s the night! THIS is the beer experience you don’t want to miss. Standard Market chef and Deschutes brewer, Kyle Spencer will lead guests through a flight of Black Butte Porter, Black Butte XXIV, Black Butte XXV, and Class of ’88 Imperial Smoked Porter all while being paired with elegant small bites. Each seating is limited to ten people. Seatings will be at 5pm, 5:30pm, 6pm and throughout the evening on the half hour, with the last seating at 8pm. Come sample and sip – some of these Deschutes favorites are hard to find! Reserve your seat early; it is first come, first serve! $10 for flight (add $10 for food pairings).
Reserve your seat early at standardmarket.com/deschutes-basecamp
- 5pm – 8pm
Beer & Brats plus Total Tap Takeover at Standard Market featuring Woody
333 East Ogden Ave., Westmont, Illinois 60559
There’s no doubt, Standard Market is THE place to be this Wednesday evening. The gang from Deschutes Brewery in Oregon is here, and boy do they have a lineup of goodies for beer lovers. Their giant beer barrel, Woody, will be pouring beers in the parking lot for your pre- and/or post-shopping experience (paired with tasty beer brats, of course). Don’t worry, you won’t have to go thirsty while you shop – inside the store is the FIRST EVER total tap takeover with 12 amazing beers from the Oregon brewery – buy a pint, keep the glass. Try out favorites like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, Inversion IPA, Twilight Summer Ale, Fresh Squeezed IPA and the harder-to-find Black Butte XXV, Black Butte XXIV, Armory XPA, Class of ’88 Imperial Smoked Porter, Class of ’88 Barley Wine and Obsidian Stout Nitro. If you buy any Deschutes Brewery beer to take home, Woody will give you a free pint glass on your way out.
Thursday August 29th, 2013 7pm
- Around the World in One Beer Dinner at the Burger Bar featuring Woody
1578 N Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
Have the travel bug? Come join Deschutes Brewery for a beer dinner out on the patio – four local chefs are collaborating on this five-course dinner – bringing you tastes of India, Asia, Spain, Italy and the United States – all paired with Deschutes Brewery beers. Giant traveling beer barrel, Woody, will be pouring brews like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, Twilight Summer Ale, Fresh Squeezed IPA and The Abyss (2012). Dessert? Beer floats, of course. This is one you don’t want to miss – call to reserve your seat! $50
For reservations, call Burger Bar at 312.255.0055 or visit www.burgerbarchicago.com
Friday August 30th, 2013
- 11:30am - 5:30pm
Cubs Pre & Post Game Pints at Sheffield’s
3258 North Sheffield, Chicago, IL 60657
Who needs the belly of Buddha for good luck – just rub the side of Deschutes Brewery’s giant traveling beer barrel, Woody, for good pre-game mojo. Then go inside Sheffield’s for a pint of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, Inversion IPA, Fresh Squeezed IPA or Armory XPA, while you’re at it. After the game, you can celebrate (or drown your sorrows) with another pint and live music from the Sanctified Grumblers. Plus, you get to keep the commemorative glass.
- 4:30pm
Woody Happy Hour & Beer Garden at Untitled featuring Woody the mobile bar
111 West Kinzie, Chicago, IL 60654
TGIF! It’s happy hour on the new Untitled patio, complete with Deschutes Brewery’s giant traveling beer barrel, Woody, who is here from Oregon. Have him pour you a pint of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, Inversion IPA and Fresh Squeezed IPA .
- 6pm-9pm
Beer-lesque: Tastings & Tassels at Untitled
111 West Kinzie, Chicago, IL 60654
What’s better than an evening full of craft beer from Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery? An evening full of craft beer…coupled with the lovely ladies from the Dolls of Doom burlesque troupe. The event will be emceed by the one and only Naughty Pierre, coming all the way from Denver with his bad boy act. The ladies will feature a Deschutes Brewery beer in each of their burlesque and variety stage acts. This is sure to be a night of excitement, laughter, and unforgettable fun. Beers will include Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, Inversion IPA and Fresh Squeezed IPA . Special guest Black Butte XXV will also make an appearance. Best of all, it’s FREE!
Saturday August 31st, 2013
- 11am – 2pm
Beer & Brunch at Binny’s Beverage Depot in Lincoln Park
1720 N. Marcey St., Chicago, IL 60614
Beer and breakfast: it’s not an oxymoron anymore! Join us for a perfect weekend brunch of tasty treats from Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group, recognized as one of the top caterers in Chicago. Their innovative touch will make this a one-of-a-kind brunch event to remember, as they create dishes with locally sourced, fresh ingredients. Each small bite will be paired with Deschutes Brewery beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Chainbreaker White IPA, Inversion IPA and Twilight Summer Ale . To top it all off, Woody, the giant mobile beer barrel will be parked outside giving away complimentary pint glasses.
- 3pm – 6pm
Taps & Treats: Tap Takeover and Food Pairing at Whole Foods in Kingsbury
1550 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago, IL 60642
Save your grocery shopping trip for Saturday afternoon and come down to Whole Foods Market on Kingsbury for the Deschutes Brewery total tap takeover! Along with eight fantastic beers, including Obsidian Stout on Nitro, Fresh Squeezed IPA and the hard to find Class of ’88 Barley Wine and Black Butte XXV to try from this Oregon brewery, you can also nosh on complimentary beer-inspired food pairings like Black Butte Porter BBQ and desserts made with beer. While you groove to the tunes of a local live band, the brewery will be raffling off chances to buy bottles of its 25th Anniversary Brew, Black Butte XXV along with some other fun brewery prizes. Grocery shopping has never been so fun!