Beer bash outgrows itself
ROSEMONT | Expo needed bigger site to meet rising interest
It's Norm Peterson's vision of heaven on earth.
"We joke that this is a beer geek's wet dream," Chicago beer merchant said Jerry Glunz, laughing as he stood in the center of the sprawling beer expo Monday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
(Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
As Glunz -- general manager of the 120-year-old, family-owned Louis Glunz Beer Inc. -- espoused the importance of a good brew, 50 beer distributors and brewers from Wisconsin to Belgium displayed and poured samples of their best booze for the benefit of invited guests -- all industry insiders.
For the last 13 years, the Glunz Global Beer Expo was hosted at the company's warehouse in Lincolnwood, but the event grew so big this year, it had to be relocated to the larger venue in Rosemont.
"We started doing this to tell the customers we have something besides regular beers," Glunz said.
He was talking about unique craft concoctions from Unibroue, Flying Dog Brewery and the New Holland Brewing Company, to name just a few.
These are beers with complex character and elegant corked bottles and all-natural ingredients. Beers, by and large, for more refined and adventurous palates.
Glunz noted that one manufacturer's potion goes for nearly $500 a barrel.
But it's not all fancy fare. He said Schlitz and Pabst Blue Ribbon are making comebacks.
"I think it's the kids," Glunz said. "They don't want to drink the beer their father drinks, but Grandpa's pretty cool."