Mundelein’s 8th Annual Craft Beer Festival on June 8 drew more than 40 craft beer vendors and about 1,500 guests to the outdoor events area at Village Plaza, just east of Village Hall.
The fundraising-event for village activities was sponsored by Mundelein Community Connection and Tighthead Brewing Company. Advance tickets for $45 provided patrons with a souvenir tasting glass and unlimited samples from the dozens of microbreweries.
Numerous area food vendors sold a variety of summertime favorites.
Two musical groups performed on stage — classic rock band OTR and Fox Crossing Stringband, a high-energy, all-girls bluegrass band.
Colorful names of craft beers, ales and lagers abounded: Scarlet Fire and Chilly Water, Color Me Impressed American Stout, Comfortably Blonde, Don’t Tell Mom The Baby Citra’s Dead, Bosacki's Home Brew and others.
Guests at the event said they are serious about their craft beers. “If you can’t find a beer you like here at the Mundelein Craft Beer Festival, you do not like beer,” said Doug Reed.
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Reed had penciled notes on a program of beers he’d tasted over the course of the afternoon. “I really love Frozen Tundra from Halfday Brewing,” he said, also naming several other beers and lagers he found pleasing.
“This year, I’ve noticed more lagers here than ever before,” he added.
Reed, formerly active in home brewing, said the fraternity of craft brewers is both knowledgeable and close-knit. “Home brewing is one of the most collaborative industries in the world. We’re all very friendly and supportive,” said Reed.
Sybil Schechter-Kelly, president of Mundelein Community Connection, said she believed “it was a great turnout. The bands were awesome; we try to get people what they like, and some of the bands come back year after year.”
Schechter-Kelly said festival proceeds go to scholarships, the Mundelein Farmers Market, an art fair, a bike rodeo and Santa’s Cottage at the village’s holiday tree lighting in December.
“We like to get Mundelein on the map and make sure people know about it,” Schechter-Kelly said.
Denys Bucksten is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.