The Festival Of Wood And Barrel-Aged Beer (FOBAB) 2025
November 7 – November 8
If you’re into bold, complex brews that spend time aging in barrels before hitting your glass, then FOBAB is your kind of party. Hosted annually in Chicago by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer is a celebration of all things oaky, boozy, and beautifully aged. It’s the largest and most prestigious barrel-aged beer festival in the country—basically the Oscars for barrel-aged brews.
Over 150 breweries pour more than 400 rare and experimental beers that spent quality time in barrels—bourbon, rum, wine, gin, tequila, you name it. Think stouts so rich they feel like dessert, funky sours with wild yeast vibes, and barleywines that warm your soul. There’s even a competition component, with medals awarded to the top beers across multiple style categories.
FOBAB is unapologetically intense in the best way possible, and it’s one of the only festivals where even the most die-hard beer geeks walk away discovering something totally unexpected.
Whether you’re a seasoned stout hunter or just curious about what time in a barrel can do to a beer, FOBAB is a must-hit event on the craft beer calendar.