Chicago Craft Beer Week Events Come to the Suburbs

Meet area brewers, try new craft beers and more during the Chicago Craft Beer Week events near Oak Park and Forest Park. We highlight some events at Poor Phil's, Marion Street Cheese Market, Amelia's and Cardinal Wines & Spirits.

Craft beer brewing is an industry on the rise, and whether you're a veteran beer snob or looking to try something new, there's plenty of local events to celebrate Chicago Craft Beer Week.  From May 16-26, bars, restaurants, breweries and more spots in the Chicago area will offer special tastings, tappings, deals, meet-and-greets with brewers and lots more.  In the Oak Park and Forest Park area, we've highlighted a few local options. You can find more Craft Beer Week events in the western suburbs, or see a map with all events in the Chicago area.  Amelia's Good Food & Drink, 7330 Harrison St. in Forest Park Wednesday, May 22: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Church Street Brewery beer dinner. Go here for menu and ticketing information.   Poor Phil's …

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Get Set for Microbrew Extravaganza in Oak Park and Forest Park

Microbrew Pub Crawl, from 7 to midnight, Thursday, will feature varieties of high-end beers.

If you're a fan of microbrew get ready for the sampling of all samplings. The Tale of Two Parks, an inaugural Micro Beer pub crawl, will be staged at a number of bars and restaurants in Oak Park and Forest Park from 7 to midnight, Thursday, Feb. 21. Healy's Westside, Old School Tavern, Kinderhook Tap, Amelia's, Poor Phil's Bar and Grill, Marion Street Cheese Market, Lake Kitchen + Bar, Fat Duck Tavern & Grill and Piggy Back Tavern will be stops along the way. Reps from Pig Minds, Tighthead Brewery, Lake Effect Flesk, Church Street, Begyle and Spiteful Brew breweries will be on hand along the route. Tickets are $20, which includes bus transportation to the bars, a collectible tee shirt, beer stein and tote. To sign up ask a bartender at any…

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Super Sunday Specials

For the big game, get out of the house and into some local establishments.

Who's going to win the big game? Who cares. All we know is that you'll be winning off the field with these great local specials: Maya Del Sol: Feast your eyes on seven HD TVs. Feast your belly with tacos, nachos, sopes, mini burgers, ceviche and other football food. Full gameday menu here. Note: They won't be serving their regular menu. Feel like staying home? Let Maya cater the party. 144 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park (708) 358-9800 Avenue Ale House: New chef David Johnson is putting out a $10 chip and dip buffet; $10 Miller Lite buckets; $5 Bloody Marys and Bellinis. 825 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, (708) 848-2801 Burger Boss: Stock up on "Mini-Bosses," a 24-pack of little Burger Boss hamburgers with your choice of cheese; ketchup, …

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Week in Review: June 24

Rounding up the best in local news, this and every Friday.

We can't be everywhere and neither can you. The "Week in Review" is designed to bring you up to speed on local news in Oak Park and River Forest. Let's get to it: Stormageddon: The severe thunderstorm which packed a mean punch late Tuesday caused all sorts of damage, from trees on top of roofs and widespread power outages to melted ice cream at Petersen's and dancing sparks and flames in a River Forest alley. Rescue 911: A 6-year-old boy is recovering after a quick-acting lifeguard rescued him from the bottom of the shallow end of the Ridgeland Common pool on Tuesday. (via Oak Leaves) A Buzz Buzz: Urban beekeeping has been tentatively OKd in Oak Park. Beekeepers will need a state-issued license and will be required to notify their …