After a two-year hiatus, the popular Tinley Park Brew & Vine Festival is returning to the Tinley Park Convention Center April 9, offering a welcome opportunity to sample locally crafted beer, fine wine and gourmet food from more than 40 local vendors.
“I think after the last two years, this is just the type of event people are looking for now,” said festival co-chair Rocco Biscaglio. “It’s always been one of our biggest and most highly anticipated events of the year.”
Despite a late start to the planning this year due to uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, organizers anticipate the festival to attract between 3,000 and 3,500 people, similar to when the event was last held in 2019.
“We’ve spread things out a little more than we did in previous years,” Biscaglio said. “But other than that, it’s a return to what people have come to expect.”
The 21-and-older event will feature more than 40 vendors, most of them local and many a part of the vibrant craft-brewing community in the south suburbs.
“Tinley Park, and this area, has a lot of good craft brewers,” Biscaglio said. “We are fortunate to be able to bring them all together in one place, and people can see for themselves the variety and creativity that’s out there. It’s always impressive to me what you can try here.”
Some of those local brewers include Tinley Park’s Banging Gavel Brews, Arrowhead Ales in New Lenox, Milk Money Brewing in LaGrange, Whiskey Hill Brewing in Westmont, Metal Monkey in Romeoville and One Alliance in Chicago Ridge.
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Local wine distributors will be offering tastings of varietals from around the world, and restaurants like 101 BBQ, Ben’s Soft Pretzels, Cultivate Community Table and Avocado Theory will be featuring some of their signature offerings.
Two local bands will provide live music throughout the evening: The Walk-Ins will perform from 4 to 6 p.m., while Reckless takes the stage from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
“There is music and entertainment all night long,” Biscaglio said. “It’s a party atmosphere.”
VIP admission for the Saturday-night event begins at 4 p.m., with tickets available for $60 and featuring a tasting glass and 24 food tickets. General admission starts at 6 p.m., costs $40 and includes a tasting glass and 12 food tickets. The festival also features a designated-driver admission, which features no alcohol and four food tickets for $15.
The indoor location allows this to be one of the earliest beer and wine festivals in the area.
“It’s April in the Chicagoland area, so you never know what to expect,” Biscaglio said. “But we’re indoors, so it doesn’t matter. I think that’s one thing that’s made us stand out over the years. It’s a laid-back and casual environment, and you can just get everything from under one roof.”
The festival should appeal to both those who are serious about their craft beer and wine and those who are just interested in a night out.
“It’s just a great time,” Biscaglio said. “You can sample over 100 beers and wine and food and listen to music. There’s great energy and tons of people — that’s why so many people are excited for us to be back this year.”
Tinley Park Brew & Vine Festival
When: 4-10 p.m. April 9
Where: Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive
Tickets: VIP admission $60; general admission $40; designated-driver admission $15
Information: 708-532-5700; tinleychamber.org/brew-and-vine/
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.