Craft & Cork Festival/Chicago/2027
Discover your region, by the glass.
Meet the makers. Taste something new. Find your next favorite. The inaugural Craft & Cork Festival brings regional breweries and wineries together in Chicago in 2027.
- City
- ChicagoInaugural edition, 2027
- Setting
- IndoorsClimate-controlled venue
- Format
- One afternoonA single four-hour tasting session
- Date and venue
- To be announcedJoin the list to hear first
Beer and wine, with equal care
Beer people. Wine people. Your people.
Start with beer, wine or whichever catches your attention. There is room to follow your taste and find something unexpected.
Breweries
Start with beer.
Crisp lagers, hop-forward ales, farmhouse beers and slow-sipping stouts from breweries across the region.
- Lager & pilsner
- IPA & pale ale
- Farmhouse
- Stout & porter
- Sour & wild
Bring everyone
Different tastes. One good plan.
Bring the beer person, the wine person and the person who is happy to explore.
Wineries
Start with wine.
Great Lakes whites, cold-climate reds, sparkling, rosé and a few surprises from wineries across the region.
- White
- Red
- Rosé
- Sparkling
- Orange
- Dessert
How the afternoon unfolds
An afternoon worth remembering.
Times are relative to general admission and will be confirmed with the venue and licensed operator.
- Doors − 1:00
Early access opens
Early access and VIP guests arrive first, with quieter stations and time to talk with the makers.
- Doors
General admission
Pick up your tasting glass and a station map. Start with what you enjoy and leave room to explore.
- Doors + 2:30
The first Crown reveal
A short on-stage moment announcing the first-ever Crown selections. Each recognized product is named, with its producer and the reason it was selected.
- Doors + 2:35
Taste the first Crown selections
Find recognized products at their makers’ stations while supply lasts, then read the selection notes in the Guide.
- Doors + 3:45
Last pours
A final round, a glass of water and a few favorites saved for later.
- Doors + 4:00
Close
Leave with something you will want to find again, and know where to go next.
Admission options
Choose the visit that fits.
Every ticket includes the same core access to the makers. Higher options add time and comfort, not better pours.
General admission
$75proposed
The full afternoon session.
- Entry for the four-hour session
- Tasting glass
- Tasting pours from participating makers
- Water stations and seating areas
- Station map and Guide access
Early access
$95proposed
Arrive up to an hour before general admission.
- Everything in general admission
- Entry up to 60 minutes earlier
- Quieter first hour with the makers
VIP
$125proposed
Early entry plus a dedicated place to sit and talk.
- Everything in early access
- Reserved seating area
- Comfort amenities, to be confirmed
- Crown selections are poured for every guest
Ticket inclusions, sample sizes and service limits will be listed in full before sales open. Guests must be 21 or older with valid ID.
Craft & Cork Crown Recognition
The first Crowns, revealed live in 2027.
Before the inaugural Festival, independent panels will taste entered products blind, with beer and wine judged separately. The first Crown selections will be revealed on stage and published in the Guide.
After the Festival
Found a favorite? Keep exploring.
The Craft & Cork Guide already covers hundreds of recommended beers and wines across 14 U.S. regions, with style notes, pairings and producer stories. Festival makers will be added as the lineup is confirmed.
Get launch updates
Be first to hear the date, venue and lineup.
One email when tickets open, and a few useful updates before then.