Illinois Brews @ Bowes Creek 2026

Saturday, September 12, 2026
3 p.m. - Early entrance for VIP ticket-holders
4 p.m. - 8 p.m. - General admission

Our goal is to raise $50,000 through sponsorships and ticket sales, and we invite you to partner with us to support local youth who are most in need. All monies raised go directly to providing access to recreational programs and services for Elgin children who otherwise could not participate.

Tickets include craft and homebrew samplings, snacks, and a commemorative mug and t-shirt.

Illinois Brews will be serving up more than beer, including specialty pours for VIP ticket holders, as well as hard seltzers, special bourbons, fine spirits, and non-alcoholic beer options for General Admission ticket holders. Our ever-popular raffle will return, with prizes including craft beers, wine baskets, and bourbon, featuring several rare bourbons. Tasty bites will be available from Johnny's Supper Club.

TAILGATE SECTION:
College football fan? Don't worry, you don't have to miss the big game: Illinois Brews will have a tailgate section, so you can catch all the action AND taste the best beers around!

NEW THIS YEAR: The Big Ten Beer Challenge! Can you taste all five Big Ten beers, from Tigerhawk (Iowa Hawkeyes) to Haze and Blue (Michigan Wolverines) to ILL-IPA (Illinois Fighting Illini)?

OKTOBERFEST AREA:
Don your lederhosen and get your fill of Oktoberfest beers! Lake Brewing, Black and Gray, Double Clutch, Pipeworks, Scorched Earth, and Sew Hop'd have all donated their Oktoberfest brews, so you can sample and rank your favorites.

We're buzzing to announce these participating breweries:

VIP ticket-holders get an extra hour of tasting, heavy appetizers, PLUS these exclusive offerings:

• Arty’s Legendary Cocktails — Clintonville, Wisconsin
  Bloody Marys, Spicy Bloody Marys, Old Fashioneds, Brandy Alexanders, Grasshoppers
• Big Lake Brewing — Holland, Michigan
  Livestream (Double Rice IPA), Fudgie (Oatmeal Stout), Mango Habanero Haze (Hazy IPA), Cotton Candy Haze (Hazy IPA), Double Side of the Lake (Black Lager)
• Chip Shots — Elgin, Illinois
  Tiny Pencil (Hazy IPA, collab w/ Blind Corner Brewing), 1908 Clubhouse Lager (Premium Lager, collab w/ Riverlands Brewing)
• Crystal Lake Brewing Company — Crystal Lake, Illinois
  Oktoberfest
• Keg Grove Brewing — Bloomington, Illinois
  Peeling Thyme with Jake and Mike (Belgian Witbier, collab w/ Industry Ales), Harvest Corn Oktoberfest (Red Ale), Outdoor Veterans (Blonde Golden Ale)
• Penrose Brewing — Geneva, Illinois
  Okto Fest (German-Style Märzen), Crocodile Boots (New England–Style IPA
• Whiskey Acres — DeKalb, Illinois
  Four Grain Bourbon - Released 9/4/26

Thank you for your generosity and dedication to this great cause. The Foundation Board and the many at-risk youth who enjoy our programs are grateful for your past, present, and future support.

Cheers to beers for a great cause!

Questions? Email jen.hermonson@elginil.gov or call 847-931-6129!