What is FoBAB?
The Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) is the world’s largest and most prestigious barrel-aged beer festival and competition. Hosted annually by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG), FoBAB invites breweries from all over the world to Chicago to showcase their rarest, most innovative wood and barrel-aged brews. All beer, cider, mead, and perry featured at FoBAB has been aged in a wooden barrel or come into contact with wood during the aging process. Breweries also compete for top honors in the National Barrel Aged Beer Competition.
How is FoBAB different this year?
Out of concern for the health and safety of our guests, brewers, volunteers and staff, and in keeping with local regulations prohibiting large gatherings, this year’s in-person festival portion of FoBAB was canceled. But continued interest by breweries to participate in the annual competition enabled us to move forward with the barrel-aged beer competition, widely regarded as the most prestigious in the industry. Additionally, for the first time ever, we’re making FoBAB beer entries available for purchase so fans can create their own FoBAB at Home experience.
What is a FoBAB Kit?
FoBAB Kits provide everything you need to create your own FoBAB experience from the safety of your home. The FoBAB Kit includes an assorted six-pack of FoBAB beer selected randomly from more than 300 entries spanning all 12 style categories, a FoBAB tote bag and a 13 oz. commemorative Belgian glass to full experience the aroma and beer notes.
How much does a FoBAB Kit Cost?
FoBAB kits are $60 each and include an assorted six-pack of FoBAB beer selected randomly from entries in all 12 style categories, a FoBAB tote bag and a 13-ounce commemorative Belgian glass. All beer entries have been donated, and all proceeds benefit the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild as it works to protect and promote Illinois breweries. All purchasers must be 21 years of age or older.
Is there a purchase limit on FoBAB Kits?
There is no purchase limit on FoBAB Kits, but beer is limited so people are encouraged to buy early.
Can I just buy the six-pack?
No, each FoBAB Kit will come with a 13oz Belgian glass to fully experience the aroma and beer notes!
What are the bottle sizes in a FoBAB Kit?
Participating brewers are sending a variety of bottle sizes (12oz, 22oz, 750ml) so you can expect a range.
Can you guarantee we will (or will not) have a beer from a particular category?
We wish we could but given the number of beers in some categories and our commitment to providing as much variety as possible, we cannot accept requests for specific styles.
How do I purchase a FoBAB Kit?
FoBAB Kits go on sale Friday October 23. Ticket links will be live on our website (www.fobab.com) as well as on our social media pages. FoBAB Kits are limited so people are encouraged to purchase early.
How do I get pre-sale access?
Pre-sale access to FoBAB Kits was limited to ImBIBE members, and membership for 2020 is now closed. For more information about becoming a member of ImBIBE, please visit www.illinoisbeer.org/imbibe.
How do I pick up my FoBAB Kit?
FoBAB Kits are available for pickup on Friday Nov. 13 and Saturday Nov. 14 between 12:00 and 6:00 PM CST at Hailstorm Brewing in Tinley Park (8060 186th St, Tinley Park, IL 60487). All persons picking up FoBAB Kits must have their purchase receipt and a valid driver’s license. If you need to designate a friend or family member to pick-up, please email info@illinoisbeer.com with your name and the name of the person picking-up and forward your ticket to your designee.If you cannot pick-up your FoBAB at Home Kit(s) during the dates and times offered above, they can be picked up during normal business hours at Hailstorm Brewing until the following Saturday, Nov. 21. Any kits leftover will be forfeited.
Can I have my FoBAB Kit shipped or delivered instead?
Unfortunately, no. Shipping beer is illegal under Illinois law so all FoBAB Kits must be picked up in person. But stay tuned – we’re hoping you will help us fight to get that law changed soon!
Can someone else pick up my FoBAB Kit?
Yes! If you can’t make it to Hailstorm that weekend, don’t worry. We’re making pickup as easy as possible. If you need to designate a friend or family member to pick-up, please email info@illinoisbeer.com with your name and the name of the person picking-up and forward your ticket to your designee.
Are FoBAB Kits refundable?
No, sales of all FoBAB kits are final.
When is the FoBAB award ceremony?
For the first time ever, ALL FoBAB guests will have a front-row seat to the FoBAB award ceremony where more than 160 breweries compete for gold, silver, bronze and best-in-show awards across all 12 style categories. The livestreamed event will take place Saturday Nov. 14, time TBD. You can catch all the action in real time on our website – www.fobab.com – or via Facebook Live.
Where can I find the FoBAB brewery lineup?
More than 160 breweries have submitted over 300 barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads, and perries for judging at this year’s FoBAB. The full list of participating breweries is available at www.fobab.com/brewers.
Is FoBAB a fundraiser?
Like other nonprofit organizations, 2020 has been a tremendously challenging year as we work to recover lost revenue from Illinois Craft Beer Week, Beer Under Glass and the festival portion of FoBAB. Thanks to the generosity of our participating FoBAB breweries, all beer for FoBAB Kits has been donated, and all proceeds will support the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG)’s efforts to protect and promote Illinois breweries. Thank you for your support!
What are the FoBAB social media channels?
You can stay up-to-date on everything related to FoBAB, including announcements, inventory updates, and award results by following us on Facebook www.facebook.com/fobabofficial), Twitter (www.twitter.com/fobabofficial), and Instagram (www.instagram.com/fobab).
Is there a FoBAB hashtag for social media?
Yes, we encourage you to share all your FoBAB experiences and photos with #FoBAB and #FOBABatHOME.
What is the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild?
The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the development and expansion of the craft beer industry in Illinois. Founded in 1997, ICBG focuses its efforts on member and consumer education, legislative and regulatory advocacy, and the promotion of its member craft breweries. Learn more at www.illinoisbeer.org and follow along on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IllinoisCraftBrewersGuild), Twitter (www.twitter.com/IllinoisBeer), and Instagram (www.instagram.com/ILCraftBeer).
Will there be social distancing at Hailstorm Brewing during pickup?
Absolutely. The health and safety of our staff, breweries and craft beer fans our priority. Curbside pickup is available. Drivers should pull up by the barrels in front of the brewery next to the curbside pick-up sign and someone will assist you. Or you can pick up your FoBAB at Home kit by coming into the taproom. Face coverings are required and capacity limits with 6 ft of social distancing will be enforced.
Is merchandise available at FoBAB?
This year, limited edition FoBAB t-shirts were made available exclusively for ImBIBE members. Additionally, we are selling a very limited number of FoBAB branded face coverings for $15 at check-out. Be sure to purchase your FoBAB at Home Kits early to secure your FoBAB branded face covering.
