LOGAN SQUARE — Pilot Project Brewing is celebrating two years of working with local brewers with an indoor-outdoor festival later this summer.
The brewery incubator’s first “project fest” is set for noon-4 p.m. Aug. 8 at 2140 N. Milwaukee Ave. Festival-goers will get to sample drinks from a dozen brewers at the event, some of them first releases.
Early bird tickets cost $40 and can be bought online. Tickets come with a custom glass.
“This is essentially the amalgamation of all the work our brands have been doing and what Pilot has been doing,” said Pilot Project’s co-founder, Dan Abel.
“We’re hitting all of the different corners of the brewing industry, from hard kombucha to funky, wild sour beers to on-trend IPA and lager styles and then cider partners — it really is the perfect literal interpretation of what Pilot is all about.”
Pilot Project opened in August 2019 to give up-and-coming brewers and food industry creatives a leg up in the industry by giving them a facility to brew their creations. The concept worked, with breweries like Ørkenoy and Odious Cellars using Pilot Project as a launchpad and then striking out on their own.
Abel and his team plan to make the fest an annual event to showcase Chicago’s unique beer scene. The fest will also feature local food vendors and music.
“We’re one of the few breweries out there that’s uniquely positioned to be able to host its own beer festival with all of its own brands,” Abel said.
Participating brewers:
- Pilot Project Brewing
- Azadi Brewing Company
- Histrionic Brewlab
- Odious Cellars
- Dutchbag Brew Co.
- Brewer’s Kitchen
- Ørkenoy
- Brother Chimp Brewing
- ROVM Hard Kombucha
- Luna Bay Hard Kombucha
- Eris Brewery & Cider House
- Overgrown Orchard
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