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 (www.facebook.com/IllinoisCraftBrewersGuild), Twitter (www.twitter.com/IllinoisBeer), and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ILCraftBeer).

Yes, you can find all the details about FoBAB in the ICBG mobile app. Plan your experience, navigate the festival floor, and review the full lineup of participating breweries, right from the app. The ICBG mobile app is available for iPhone and Android.

Yes, we encourage you to share all your FoBAB experiences and photos with #FoBAB. and #FoBAB2020.

You can stay up-to-date on everything related to FoBAB, including announcements, ticket updates, travel tips, and award results by following us on Facebook www.facebook.com/fobabofficial), Twitter (www.twitter.com/fobabofficial), and Instagram (www.instagram.com/fobab).

FoBAB is the largest annual fundraiser for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG). Proceeds from FoBAB support the ICBG’s mission to support the development and expansion of the craft beer industry in Illinois through education, legislation, and promotion.

Anyone interested in information about volunteering for FoBAB should email volunteer@illinoisbeer.com with their name and email address. A link to sign up to volunteer will be sent in October to everyone who requsted information. Volunteer positions are filled on a first come, first serve basis, with priority given to prior year volunteers as well as those available to volunteer for Session #3 (Saturday 6:00 – 10:00 PM).

More than 200 breweries and 400 barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads, and perries will be featured at this year’s FoBAB. The full list of participating breweries will be posted in September at www.fobab.com.

The award ceremony takes place during Session #2 on Saturday, November 14 at 2:00 PM. The ceremony will be streamed live on FoBAB’s Facebook page and ICBG’s YouTube channel. The results will be published on www.fobab.com on Saturday, November 14.

Prior to the public tasting sessions, a panel of industry leaders and certified judges evaluate all beer, cider, mead, and perry featured at FoBAB, awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in 12 style categories as well as ‘Best in Show’ honors.

FoBAB takes place on Friday and Saturday, November 13-14 at the UIC Forum in Chicago (725 W. Roosevelt Rd.). Tickets are available for three tasting sessions: - Session #1: Friday Nov. 13, 6:00 – 10:00 PM - Session #2: Saturday Nov. 14, 1:00 – 5:00 PM - Session #3: Saturday Nov. 14, 6:00 – 10:00 PM

The Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer is North America’s largest and most prestigious barrel-aged beer festival and competition. Now in its 18th year, FoBAB is hosted in Chicago November 13-14, 2020. Featuring samples from hundreds of breweries that know barrel-ageing best – combined with a fierce competition for hardware and bragging rights – FoBAB is a must-attend festival for anyone who appreciates the craftsmanship and complexity of wood-aged beer, cider, mead and perry.

Only infants who can be worn or otherwise carried in an infant carrier are allowed on the festival floor. Absolutely no strollers are permitted inside the festival.

No, all ticket sales to FoBAB are final. If you are unable to make the event, we encourage you to share your ticket with someone who is 21 years of age or older. Unfortunately, ImBIBE pre-sale ticket holders are unable to transfer tickets.

General admission FoBAB tickets may be transferred; the name on the ticket does not need to match the name of the ticketholder for entry into the festival. All ticketholders must be 21 years of age or older and present a valid photo ID. ImBIBE pre-sale tickets may not be transferred. ImBIBE ticketholders will need to provide valid photo ID that matches the name on their ticket for early entry into FoBAB.

No. Because of space limitations, all tickets include 20 beer samples. As an alternative, we encourage you to consider using public transportation or ride-sharing services to travel to and from FoBAB.

No. Only active ImBIBE members who purchased pre-sale tickets are eligible for early entry into FoBAB. Please note: Pre-sale for ImBIBE members is now closed. Any current ImBIBE members who missed the pre-sale are encouraged to purchase general admission tickets, which do not include early entry into FoBAB.

Pre-sale tickets were made available exclusively to members of ImBIBE, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s enthusiast program. ImBIBE members who purchased pre-sale tickets are granted one-hour early entry into the tasting sessions. Please note: Pre-sale for ImBIBE members is now closed.

General Admission tickets are $85 plus processing fees. All ticket-holders must be 21 years of age or older and present a valid photo ID. All tickets include entry to the venue, 20 sample pours, and a commemorative 2020 FoBAB glass. Food is not included in the price of the ticket.

Parking is extremely limited at the UIC Forum. Paid parking is available at the UIC Campus Parking Garage (701 W Maxwell St.) as well as on surrounding streets, as indicated by street signs.

FoBAB is hosted at the UIC Forum in Chicago (725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago IL 60608). Guests are strongly encouraged to utilize public transportation or ride-sharing services to and from the UIC Forum, as parking is limited. UIC Forum is easily accessible by CTA (Blue Line UIC/Halsted Stop + #8 Halsted Bus) as well as the Metra BNSF (Halsted stop).

FoBAB Code of Conduct All festival attendees are encouraged to experience the world’s largest and most prestious barrel-aged beer festival responsibly and with respect for the event venue, organizers, sponsors, and attendees. The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild reserves the right to refuse entry or remove any guest from the festival for any reason. Guests who engage in any of the following behavior will be removed from FoBAB immediately:

- Fighting, threatening, or otherwise endangering any festival participants or property

- Possession or use of illegal drugs or irresponsible/excessive consumption of alcohol

- Damage, vandalism, or theft of any kind

- Possession of firearms, weapons, or outside alcohol



Can I bring a backpack or other personal item to FoBAB? Because space is limited, backpacks are NOT permitted on the festival floor. A limited number of backpacks and personal items may be checked at the coat check upon entry (space is limited). Please review UIC Forum’s policy for bags, purses, and backpacks. Per venue policy, metal detectors will be in operation at all entrances to UIC Forum. Backpacks and other personal items will be searched and may result in delayed entry into the venue.

Why is there a metal detector at FoBAB this year? In an effort to enhance security, and in accordance with UIC Forum’s policy, metal detectors will be in operation at all UIC Forum entrances. Patrons will be asked to remove their phones, keys, coins, wallets, etc. from their pockets prior to entering the metal detector. Weapons of any kind are prohibited at FoBAB. You may view UIC Forum’s metal detector policy.

Is there a coat check? Yes, a coat check will be available for coats and backpacks. Coat check space and capacity is limited, so attendees are encouraged to travel light and avoid bringing backpacks. As always, the ICBG cannot assume responsibility for lost or stolen items.

Is there a Lost & Found at UIC Forum? The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Items remaining at UIC Forum after the festival concludes will be handled by UIC Forum’s Guest Services. For more information, please contact UIC Forum at uicforum@uic.edu.

Is there a dress code? There is no dress code for FoBAB, but with the 24,000-square-foot festival floor, guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes.

Can I bring my pet to FoBAB? Animals are NOT permitted at FoBAB. This includes service, emotional or therapy animals.

Can I smoke at FoBAB? Smoking is NOT permitted inside UIC Forum. This includes the use of vape pens and other electronic cigarettes. Smoking is permitted outside the facility.

Will there be food and non-alcoholic beverages available at FoBAB? Yes, there will be concession-style snack food available for purchase at the festival. However, we recommend eating prior to arrival. Water is available on the festival floor, but no other non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Guests are permitted to bring an empty water bottle to FoBAB and encouraged to drink plenty of water during the festival.

Can I bring food and beverages into FoBAB? No outside food or beverages are allowed at FoBAB (small pretzel and cheese necklaces are acceptable). Guests are permitted to bring an empty water bottle to FoBAB and encouraged to drink plenty of water during the festival. Outside alcohol is NOT permitted at FoBAB.

Is merchandise available at FoBAB? Yes. FoBAB 2020 tee shirts and other ICBG gear will be available for purchase at the north end of the festival floor. As a reminder, active ImBIBE members are eligible to pick up a free DrinkIllinois t-shirt at either Beer Under Glass OR FoBAB. Please provide your name and valid photo ID to claim your t-shirt.