Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced Friday Night Flights, a summer-long series of events to highlight Chicago’s thriving craft beer scene, has added a special venue to its concluding series of August events – Chicago’s Riverwalk.  The city’s newest urban recreation waterfront park space and pedestrian trail along the south bank of the Chicago River will host a special Friday Night Flights event on Friday, August 18, featuring 14 breweries from across the city.  
 
“The Friday Night Flights event will pair two of Chicago’s strongest attractions – our world-famous Riverwalk and world-renowned craft breweries,” Mayor Emanuel said. “I encourage residents from across Chicago to swing by and check out some of the best beverages our neighborhood breweries have to offer.”
 
Friday Night Flights participants can enjoy a beer from award-winning breweries, check out the music of DJ Mike P and guitarist Griffin Crowder, sample food from Riverwalk vendors City Winery, Island Party Hut and Tiny Tap, all while taking in the city from this awe-inspiring vantage point.
 
Participating breweries include: Hopewell Brewing, Maplewood Brewery, Lake Effect Brewing, Begyle Brewing Company, Baderbrau, Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Band of Bohemia, Alulu Brewpub, Finch Beer Company, Motor Row Brewing, Eataly’s Birreria, Argus Brewery, Pipeworks Brewing Company and Alarmist Brewing.
 
The event includes a tasting pass for purchase allowing participants to sample various beers from the participating breweries. Local entertainment and food for purchase will round out each Chicago Friday Night Flight experience, making each event a true taste of the neighborhoods. The August 18 Friday Night Flights will be first craft beer event on the Riverwalk.
 
“Since its launch last May, Friday Night Flights has become a premier city showcase for Chicago’s neighborhood breweries and craft beer scene,” Mark Kelly, commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events said. “This month’s Flights at the new Riverwalk as well as the West Loop and Ravenswood events are the perfect way to bring Friday Night Flights’ inaugural year to a fun and successful close.”
 
Produced by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild and Choose Chicago, the six Friday Night Flights beer festivals began in June and will run through August.  The Flights showcase neighborhood breweries and celebrate Chicago’s beer scene, which has become an epicenter of the global craft beer movement. Chicago’s neighborhoods are home to more than 60 breweries featuring some of the nation’s best award-winning beers, creating a diverse array of styles.
 
"We look forward to promoting several of our Chicago craft breweries at the upcoming Riverwalk event and are excited about the geographic diversity that will be represented that day, said Danielle D'Alessandro, executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. “Our brewers come from Pullman, Pilsen, the South Loop, River North, Logan Square, and Ravenswood all the up to Sauganash. The Guild appreciates the city’s support in celebrating craft beer and the impact these small businesses are making in their communities."
 
For full details for the August schedule including the 8/11 West Loop event and the 8/25 Ravenswood Corridor event and to pre-purchase tickets visit www.chicagofridaynightflights.com.
 
In addition to the August 18 event, the other August Friday Night Flights dates are:

• Friday, August 11th: West Loop & West Town, 300 Block of North Sangamon Street
• Friday, August 25th: Ravenswood Corridor, 4700 Block of North Ravenswood Avenue

“Chicago Friday Night Flights is a fitting way to tout Chicago’s continued emergence as one of the nation’s leading craft beer cities," said David Whitaker, Choose Chicago President and CEO. "Friday Night Flights has been the perfect summer opportunity for visitors to sample a variety of craft beer produced by award-winning breweries while exploring Chicago's neighborhoods.  We look forward to building upon the foundation we laid this year to make Friday Night Flights a summer tradition in Chicago.”
 
For full details and to pre-purchase tickets visit www.chicagofridaynightflights.com.
 
August 11, 2017: Friday Night Flights – The West Loop
The West Loop and West Town neighborhoods have become destination neighborhoods for multiple reasons. Chicago Friday Night Flights will showcase the exceptional beer being produced throughout these neighborhoods. The breweries and beers that represent these neighborhoods are as diverse and innovative as the neighborhoods themselves. Participating breweries include: Goose Island Brewing Company, Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Forbidden Root Brewery, Cruz Blanca Cerveceria, On Tour Brewing Company, All Rise Brewing Company, Illuminated Brew Works, Great Central Brewing, Finch Beer Company.
 
August 25, 2017: Friday Night Flights – Ravenswood
Ravenswood’s historical industrial corridor infrastructure has created the perfect opportunity for Chicago’s vast craft beer expansion, with large open spaces conducive to brewing. Brewers have taken full advantage as the Ravenswood Corridor has seen multiple breweries open over the past years and others looking to expand due to their success.  The Chicago Friday Night Flights finale promises to offer a great mix of the various styles brewed throughout the corridor.  Participating breweries include: Begyle Brewing Company, Empirical Brewing, Half Acre Beer Company, Spiteful Brewing, Dovetail Brewing, Band of Bohemia, Old Irving Park Brewing, Maplewood Brewing, Alarmist Brewing.

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