Frosty Beers, Hot Eats at Blarney Stone Craft Beer Fest

The Blarney Stone Pub is gearing up for its second annual Winter Solstice Craft Beer Festival and the pub is calling all hop heads and beer snobs to come out and try several of the 60-plus beers at the event on Saturday, Dec. 15, from 3-7 p.m. The event, which costs $20 in advance or $30 at the door, is an off-shoot of the pub's Summer Solstice Festival, which drew more than 300 people this summer.

“This is the second year we've done this, but this year we got rid of the wine,” said Kim Keane, an owner of Blarney Stone. “The wine didn't go over that well, but with 60 beers here and more than 40 beers on tap, we thing this will work out. We're expecting more than 150 people.”

The festival, which be held indoors, away from the elements, will see party goers sampling beers from around Chicagoland and the nation, including: Firestone Walker, Crispin, 5 Rabbit, Dogfish Head, Wild Onion, Bear Republic, Left Hand, Shiner, Southern Tier, Great Lakes, Revolution, Two Brothers, Three Floyds, Goose Island, New Holland, Abbey, Sam Adams, Lienkugal, New Belgium, Dark Horse, Oscar Blues, Stone, Grand Teton, Founders, Anderson Valley, Green Flash, Breckenridge, Monk's Caf'e, Allagash, BrickStone, Wells & Young's and  more.

“Guests will get a six-ounce sample glass, ten beer tickets and two food sample tickets,” Keane said. “Then, if somebody wants more samples, it's $1 per extra beer ticket sample.”

Keane said that the event really showcases all the different craft beers Blarney Stone has and lets the breweries and distributors interact with their customer base.

“We're really the only type of bar like this in the immediate area,” Keane said. “It's going to be a great day.”

More information about the Winter Solstice Beer Festival, visit Blarney Stone's website.