Drink in the History and Savor Thirsty Third Thursdays

Submitted by the Elmhurst Historical Museum. Photo: Beer historian and Chicago craft beer guru Liz Garibay will lead Thirsty Third Thursday: Beer Talk & Tastings at the Elmhurst Historical Museum.

With the explosion of the craft beer industry, and Chicago’s leadership role in the upward trend, craft beer is taking wine and spirits head-on as the beverage of choice these days. What craft beer lovers may not know is the frothy history that has connected Chicago to beer throughout the city’s existence. Elmhurst Historical Museum would like to shed some light on the subject.

As a learning opportunity connected to the museum’s popular new exhibit, “Beer Chicago: The Refreshing History,” the Elmhurst Historical Museum presents a free, three-part series, Thirsty Third Thursday: Beer Talk & Tasting on October 15,November 9 and January 21 at 6:30 p.m. Participants will discover different aspects of Chicago’s fascinating beer history with exhibit author and beer guru Liz Garibay. During the talk, a local craft brewer will pour samples of their delicious brews in an exclusive tasting for adults 21 and over with an ID.

The Thirsty Third Thursday: Beer Talk & Tasting schedule is as follows:

• October 15: Early Chicago Beer History, Tasting by Temperance Brewing
• November 19: The Saloon and Ethnic Identities, Tasting by Revolution Brewing
• January 21: Chicago Beer Today, Tasting by Marz Brewing

The program will be held in the Elmhurst Historical Museum’s Education Center (located just south of the Museum parking lot) at 120 E. Park Ave. in Elmhurst. Admission to the program is free, and free on-site parking is available. The Elmhurst Metra station is located just a short walk from the museum. Designated drivers are encouraged.

On Third Thursdays, the Elmhurst Historical Museum is open from 1:00 until 8:00 p.m., so program participants can view the “Beer Chicago” exhibit inside the Museum prior to the program. The exhibit was recently named a Top Ten Pick for highly-anticipated museum exhibits in the Chicago Tribune’s Fall Arts Preview. Highlights of exhibit include: an interactive “bar” featuring a bartender who shares his knowledge of Chicago beer history, a science of beer-making activity station complete with scents of beer-making ingredients, profiles on Chicago breweries—names like Peter Hand, Lill & Diversey, and Schoenhofen—and a section on home brewers. Admission to the museum is free.

Slake your thirst for craft brews and learn about Chicago’s beer, tavern and brewing history by tapping into Thirsty Third Thursdays at the Elmhurst Historical Museum. For the latest exhibit and program information, please like the museum’s Facebook page, visit elmhursthistory.org, or call (630) 833-1457.