Chicago’s Weekend with Beer, April 17-19

Virtue Cider

The Michigan cidery’s founder Greg Hall has announced that their farm property in Fennville, MI would not be open to the public as of this year. Greg posted to Instagram that the farm itself has been sold, although the Virtue brand will continue to be produced, and should be found in Illinois and Michigan.

Greg is the son of Goose Island founder John Hall, and was its brewmaster for 20 years, starting in 1988. Greg created the bourbon barrel-aged Bourbon County Stout line in the early 90s. When Goose Island was sold to Anheuser-Busch in 2011, Greg started Virtue Cider, although he also sold it to AB a few years later. Greg bought back the brand in 2023.

Billy Goat

The Billy Goat Tavern & Grill, Chicago’s home of “Cheezborger! Cheezborger!”, once again has a local partner for its branded beers.

Old Irving Brewing Co. has partnered with the tavern to brew Billy Goat Pilsner and Billy Goat IPA, to be tapped at the Goat’s locations and packaged in stores.

Billy Goat Pilsner had first been made by the Baderbräu in the 2010’s. Miskatonic later signed on as a brewer, adding an IPA to the lineup before they closed down.

Friday, April 17

Saturday, April 18

Sunday, April 19