Barrel-aged beer’s big weekend is back. The Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) returns to Chicago on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave., according to the official FoBAB site.
Reference Log
Organizers say each of the two tasting sessions features more than 250 beers, ciders, meads and perries across 13 style categories, all aged in contact with wood or wood barrels, and many brewed exclusively for the festival. FoBAB is the largest annual fundraiser for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild.
FoBAB 2026 session times
Times are Central Standard Time (CST) in Chicago, with Pacific Standard Time (PST) for West Coast readers:
- Session 1: Friday, Nov. 13, 6–10 p.m. CST (4–8 p.m. PST). ImBIBE entry at 5 p.m. CST.
- Session 2: Saturday, Nov. 14, 1–5 p.m. CST (11 a.m.–3 p.m. PST). ImBIBE entry at noon CST.
- FoBAB Awards: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2 p.m. CST (noon PST), during Session 2.
Tickets and what’s included
The official site lists general admission at $85. General admission includes access to the second-floor Lager Lounge, which organizers describe as stocked with lighter pours from dozens of local breweries and a break from the festival’s typically higher-ABV samples.
New this year is a limited Green Room ticket at $250. Per FoBAB, it includes private Green Room access, cans of lager from the Lager Lounge, a private water station, a concession food stipend, an exclusive 2026 Green Room glass, a FoBAB bag, a taster koozie and access to a private outdoor fire pit area. As of Nov. 8, the site describes Green Room quantities as very limited and does not say whether either ticket type has sold out, so check the official page before making plans.
How the FoBAB Awards work
Before the festival, a panel of judges evaluates entries and awards gold, silver and bronze medals plus Best in Show honors across the 13 categories. The ceremony takes place during Session 2 and is livestreamed on the FoBAB website and the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s YouTube channel, with results posted to the FoBAB Hall of Fame.
California breweries on the 2026 brewer list
FoBAB’s 2026 brewer list says more than 150 breweries from across the country submitted beer, cider, mead and perry for judging. A few California names appear on the competing list:
- The Lost Abbey (San Diego County)
- Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
- Firestone Walker Barrelworks
- Firestone Walker Propagator
The list covers competition entries; it does not spell out which beers each brewery will pour at the sessions. Other notable out-of-state names include Jackie O’s, The Veil Brewing Co., Other Half Brewing, pFriem Family Brewers, Breakside Brewery and WeldWerks Brewing Co.
Going? Plan the pace
Barrel-aged beers are often strong, and with hundreds of pours on the floor no one needs to try everything. The Lager Lounge and water stations exist for a reason, and Chicago transit or a rideshare beats driving home from a barrel-aged session.
For tickets, the category guide and day-of updates, use the official FoBAB website.
Featured photo: Credit Union 1 Arena (pictured under its former UIC Pavilion signage) by Hied5, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped and framed by BeerAlien; this adapted image is likewise shared under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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