Nearly a dozen brewers on tap for Flossmoor’s first brew fest

Hopheads and suds lovers will pour into downtown Flossmoor on Saturday for the village’s inaugural Flossmoor Brew Fest event, which is from 2 to 6 p.m.

 

Nearly a dozen breweries will offer samples from tasting stations lined along Sterling Avenue, which will be closed to auto traffic between Flossmoor Road and Flossmoor Public Library. 

Hopheads and suds lovers will pour into downtown Flossmoor on Saturday for the village’s inaugural Flossmoor Brew Fest event, which is from 2 to 6 p.m.

 

Nearly a dozen breweries will offer samples from tasting stations lined along Sterling Avenue, which will be closed to auto traffic between Flossmoor Road and Flossmoor Public Library. 

 

For a $29 ticket, beer drinkers can enjoy 20 samples of three ounces each. Ticket-holders will wear lanyards and carry special event cups and a tasting card to mark their samples.

 

According to Assistant Village Manager Allison Deitch, village officials want Flossmoor Brew Fest to become an annual event, offering something fun to do on an autumn day and bringing new people into downtown Flossmoor.

 

“This is our first year, so we’re starting small and seeing where it goes,” Deitch said. “We weren’t sure how it would work, but working with Flossmoor Station and Lou Dog Events really helped us.”

 

The village hired promotion company Lou Dog Events to organize and operate Flossmoor Brew Fest. The Naperville-based business specializes in staging beer-based events, including Chicago Ale Fest, and Deitch said the agency’s help was crucial in planning for success.

 

“They have the expertise and the connections with the brewers,” she said. “It also reduced staff time needed to plan and manage the event.” 

 

Flossmoor Station, arguably the anchor of Flossmoor’s downtown dining scene, also was instrumental in bringing the event to fruition, Deitch said. Dean Armstrong, the restaurant’s co-owner, first approached the village over the winter about hosting such an event.

 

Flossmoor Brew Fest will also feature food from Flossmoor Station and other Flossmoor restaurants. No other alcohol will be sold outside of the tasting ticket. The event is open to the public and, though families and others are welcome to walk through, Flossmoor police officers will be checking IDs for everyone who lines up to get a sampling package.

 

“The event is definitely open to families, though it is geared for adults. There won’t be any activities for kids,” Deitch said.

 

The village also hired a DJ to entertain the crowd during the event. 

Deitch said Flossmoor Station is doing a special bottled stout release and hosting an after-party, and she heard that other local restaurants will serve some “fun food” to coordinate with the theme.

 

Visitors can find free parking in the south Metra lot and free four-hour parking on village streets. There’s also a Metra Electric District train that comes into town at 2:08 p.m., Deitch said, making it perfect for out-of-town guests who want to take public transportation. 

 

Deitch encouraged people to get tickets in advance to avoid waiting in long lines. The ticket price increases to $35 on the day of the event.