Hyde Park Brew Fest 2018: What To Know If You Go

CHICAGO, IL — Now in its fifth year, beer lovers in Hyde Park and nearby neighborhoods on the South Side have come to know the Hyde Park Brew Fest as the pinnacle of summer fun. This year, coming three weeks before the official start of the summer season it looks to be an early highlight.

Planned for the weekend of June 2 and 3, the festival will expand its footprint from just Harper Court onto a significant part of 53rd Street, the main thoroughfare in downtown Hyde Park. Brew Fest Founder Jonathan Swain touts the event as a way to bring people together from different backgrounds.

The festival "reflects the diversity of Hyde Park," he said.

"There's something special in the number of different breweries we have here," said Swain. "It's one of the most diverse brew fests in the city."

In fact, this year's lineup includes well-known breweries from throughout the United States, but does place a heavy emphasis on the ones from the South Side of Chicago. One brewery, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, could claim to have the home street advantage as they opened in Harper Court less than a year ago.

"Attendees can sip on ales and lagers while hanging out with friends and family enjoying the beautiful Chicago summer," a promotional flyer states. "Think of your fondest memory drinking craft beer, of course, the beer was good, but I bet there were also some good friends present."

Swain, owner of the Kimbark Beverage Shoppe in Hyde Park, says in five years the event has gone "from a beer sampling to an all out street fair."

"We'll have unique music, DJs playing to the crowd and additional flair on 53rd Street," he said.

Here's what you need to know about Hyde Park Brew Fest in order to plan ahead:

When?

Hyde Park Brew Fest 2018 will from noon-9 p.m. on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3.

Where?

Harper Court, and on 53rd Street from Lake Park Avenue to Blackstone Avenue, in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Brewery Lineup

The beer sampling event will run from 1-7 p.m. both days. Fill your cup with:

• 5 Rabbits- Bedford Park, IL
• Pollyanna- Lemont, IL
• Vice District Brewing Company- South Loop, Chicago
• Baderbrau-South Loop, Chicago
• Whiner Beer Company- Back of the Yards, Chicago
• Open Outcry Brewing Company- Beverly, Chicago
• Argus Brewery- Pullman, Chicago
• Burnt City Brewing- Rosland, Chicago
• Hopewell Brewing Company- Logan Square, Chicago
• Spiteful Brewing- Lincoln Square, Chicag
• Revolution Brewing- Logan Square, Chicago
• Lagunitas Brewing Company- Lagunitas, California
• Sam Adams Beer Company - Boston, MA
• Aleman Brewing Company- Portage Park, Chicago
• Around The Bend Beer Company- Logan Square, Chicago
• Old Irving Brewing Company- Irving Park, Chicago
• 2 Towns Cider Company - Corvallis, OR
• Virtue Cider- Fenville, MI
• Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales- Hyde Park, Chicago
• Odell Brewing Company - Fort Collins, CO
• Prairie Krafts Brewing Company- Buffalo Grove, IL

Music Lineup

Saturday

• Hip Hop in Hyde Park featuring DJ Clark Kent and DJ D Nice, hosted by Dave Jeff
• DJ Mike P
• The Franchiise
• Joe Kollege
• Jay ILLA
• Boi Jeanius

Sunday

• DJ Jazzy Jeff
• Terry Hunter
• DJ Pharris
• DJ AMPM
• DJ Toure
• DJ J Grilla
• Alan King

Street Closures

53rd Street will close between Lake Park Avenue and Blackstone Avenue. Some restrictions may also apply at neighboring cross streets.

Public Transit

The 51st/53rd Street Metra station is just a block east of Harper Court. Various CTA buses will also run through the area.

Hosts

The Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Kimbark Beverage Shoppe will host and sponsor the 2018 Hyde Park Brew Fest.

Sponsors

The festival is powered by Eat Drink & Be Events. Other sponsors include:

Blue Moon, Heineken, Angry Orchard, Twisted Tea, Truly Spiked Sparkling, Dark Horse Wines, Courvoisier, Effen Vodka, Hornito, Hyde Park Bank, Phli Life., Truth B Told News Service, Hyatt Place and SSA61.

Get Tickets

While walking through the area is free, ticket costs for tasting vary based on different offers. See what's available and buy your ticket here.

Photo courtesy of Hyde Park Brew Fest