FOBAB 2026 Preview | Getting Ready for Barrel-Aged Beer's Biggest Event

<p>Brewers preview FOBAB 2026, the Festival of Wood &amp;Barrel-Aged Beer, with first-timer tips and gold-medal stories.</p><p>Reserve Artisan Ales Owner/Brewer and Illinois Craft BrewersGuild Vice President Blake Benedict and Bubblehouse Brewing Owner/Brewer and Guild Board Member Jon Miller preview FOBAB 2026. Jon, a two-time FOBAB gold medalist, explains his chardonnay-barrel Belgian Golden Strong, Blake reveals his Japanese-oak lager, and Jon shares a barleywine blended from bourbon and peach brandy barrels. Plus: how to pace yourself at the festival, what happens in the Brewers Lounge, why the Lager Lounge exists, and what the Guild does for Illinois craft beer.</p><p>0:00 Welcome to a Special FOBAB Preview</p><p>1:11 Meet Reserve Artisan Ales &amp; Bubblehouse</p><p>2:53 What Is FOBAB? Dates, Venue &amp; Tickets</p><p>3:58 What It&#39;s Like to Win Gold at FOBAB</p><p>5:42 How to Describe FOBAB to First-Timers</p><p>9:40 Does Every Brewery Need Barrel Aging?</p><p>13:57 Wood Spirals vs. Barrels: Aging Time</p><p>15:00 Chardonnay Barrels &amp; a Belgian Golden Strong</p><p>16:56 Japanese Oak &amp; Sourcing Barrels</p><p>19:18 Bourbon &amp; Peach Brandy Barleywine Blend</p><p>21:25 How Brewers Pick Competition Categories</p><p>25:13 Which Beer Styles Don&#39;t Work on Wood?</p><p>34:02 FOBAB Tips: Pacing &amp; Pouring Out Samples</p><p>38:38 Behind the Scenes in the Brewers Lounge</p><p>42:13 Why FOBAB Added the Lager Lounge</p><p>46:02 What the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Does</p><p>51:02 Future of Barrel Aging &amp; What&#39;s Next</p><p>About FOBAB 2026: The 24th annual Festival of Wood &amp;Barrel-Aged Beer, North America&#39;s largest barrel-aged beer festival and competition, returns to Chicago&#39;s Credit Union 1 Arena (525 S. Racine Ave.) Fri., Nov. 13 (6-10 p.m.) and Sat., Nov. 14 (1-5 p.m.). Sample 250+ beers, ciders, meads, and perrys from 130+ breweries in 13 style categories, many madejust for the festival. General admission is $85 (plus fees) and includes the Lager Lounge; the new VIP Green Room Experience is $250 (limited) and adds a private Green Room, fire pit area, exclusive glass, bag, and koozie. Raffles offer Skip the Line badges ($5) and the Ultimate FoBAB Upgrade with early entry ($10); winners announced Nov. 5. Gold, silver, bronze, and Best in Show medals are awarded Saturday (livestreamed on Facebook and the ICBG YouTube channel), and attendees vote for Fan Favorite. Tickets: FoBAB.com. Proceeds support the Illinois Craft Br