Going to Midwest Brewer's Fest? Here's What You Should Know

Tickets are still available for the Midwest Brewers Fest, scheduled to return to Riverfront Park, 24321 W. Lockport St., for the third year this Saturday.

This year's event will feature more than 65 breweries, and proceeds will benefit the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation and Pints for Prostates. Guests can also enjoy live music and brewing demonstrations.


VIP admission is $100, while general admission is $40 in advance ($50 day of). Designated driver tickets are also available for $10 (general admission) and $20 (VIP). Tickets are available on the event website.

General admission (1 to 6 p.m.) fees include sampling from more than 150 craft beer offerings, access to the home brewers pavilion, sampling cup and a program guide. Guests will get 25 tickets for two-ounce samples from commercial breweries, plus three homebrew sampling tickets. Additional sampling tickets are available for purchase on site.

VIPs get an additional hour at the fest (noon to 6 p.m.), plus access to the Brewers Lounge (complete with a pig roast), preferred parking and a commemorative glass and merchandise voucher. VIP guests will also enjoy a beer and cheese pairing, courtesy of Wine & Cheese by TCC, and guacamole from Peter Rubi, plus private air-conditioned bathrooms. VIPs are also invited to enjoy the Comedy Shrine's improv show at 2 and 3 p.m., along with chances to win prizes. 

This year, a shuttle bus is available to bring out-of-town fest-goers from the Route 59 Metra station to and from the event; the shuttle runs at 11:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m.; 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Click for more details or to buy shuttle bus tickets.

Parking is available on site for $5 per vehicle. For a festival map, click here.

This year's breweries include Three Floyds, Abita, Angry Orchard, Bell's, Dogfish Head, Lakefront, New Belgium, Nevin's Brewing Company, Solemn Oath and Two Brothers. Click here for the full lineup.

After getting off to a rocky start in its first year, the six-hour event raised more than $41,000 in 2012, with $25,000 going to the Plainfield Riverfront Foundation's efforts to revitalize the downtown riverfront.

Read - Organizer: Midwest Brewers Fest a 'Screaming Success'

Get event updates on the Midwest Brewers Fest Facebook page.