114860 Fri Jan 30 18:03:21 -0800 2004 2 7 Chicago Area 0 625697 Very bad news for beer lovers. The Real Ale Festival, by far Chicago’s biggest and best annual beer event, will not be held this year. Last year it was held in an old foundry at Finkl Steel, Chicago’s little specialty steel mill. It was a great event in a nearly perfect location. They served something like 150 true cask-conditioned ales over three days. This year it was scheduled for March 4-6 but unfortunately the City of Chicago is unable to grant a license for the same event at the same location. It’s really a shame, I’ve been looking forward to the Festival since last year. They promise to hold one next year, somewhere. (I have no connection with the Festival, other than being a satisfied attendee for many years.) Link: http://realalefestival.com/ Fri Jan 30 18:03:21 -0800 2004 0 Rene G 1 625826 Thanks for the update...I almost forgot about this event which has become a favorite of ours. Mon Feb 02 11:24:38 -0800 2004 625697 0 Tri Girl 2 625847 As a consolation, treat yourself to a glass of Dreadnaught on tap at the Map Room while it's still there... it's hard to miss anything with a mouthfull of the luscious bitter-sweetness of the world's greatest imperial IPA. Mon Feb 02 16:11:53 -0800 2004 625826 0 Chicago Mike