Chicago, Illinois
Drink In Chicago — One Pour, One Cocktail, One Story at a Time
Guided brewery crawls, craft cocktail tours, and hands-on beer & cocktail lessons led personally by a Certified Cicerone and two-decade veteran of Chicago's bar and brewing scene. This is the city's drink culture, from someone who helped build it.
Chicago Brewery Crawl
Your Guide
Two Decades Behind Chicago's Bars & Brew Kettles
Chicago Beverage Experience is a one-person operation — which means when you book a tour, a tasting, or a lesson, you're learning directly from someone who has actually done the job, not a hired guide reading from a script.
- Served as Head Brewer at a Chicago craft beer brewery, overseeing recipe development and daily production.
- Opened and operated my own Chicago cocktail bars, from concept and menu development to nightly service.
- Certified Cicerone® — the beer world's equivalent of a sommelier certification.
- Led professional brewery tours and hosted structured beer & spirits tasting panels.
- Competed in international cocktail competitions and worked behind the bar at some of Chicago's best-regarded cocktail bars.
- Nearly 20 years total in Chicago's beer and cocktail industry — as a brewer, bar owner, bartender, and educator.
What I Offer
Tours, Tastings & Lessons
Every experience is guided personally — no rotating staff, no scripts. Pick the one that fits, or ask about a custom itinerary for your group or event.
Guided Walking Tours & Brewery Crawls
Explore Chicago's neighborhoods on foot with stops at some of the city's best breweries — history, brewing insight, and honest recommendations along the way.
From $70 · Details
Craft Cocktail Tours
A curated crawl through Chicago's craft cocktail scene, with stops at standout bars and a behind-the-bar perspective you won't get on your own.
Inquire
Craft Cocktail Lessons
Hands-on mixology instruction covering technique, balance, and building your own recipes — for beginners or aspiring home bartenders.
$300 for 3 hours · Details
Home Brewing Lessons & Classes
Learn to brew your own beer at home — ingredient selection, process, troubleshooting, and Cicerone-level knowledge of what makes beer taste the way it does.
Inquire
Private Event Bartending
Professional bartending for private parties and corporate events — custom menus, full service, and 20 years of hospitality experience behind the bar.
$90/hour · Details
Private Cocktail Lessons for Events
Turn any gathering into an interactive cocktail class — great for birthdays, showers, team outings, and holiday parties.
InquireWhy Book With Me
Not a Tour Guide. A Chicago Beverage Industry Veteran.
Plenty of tours are led by enthusiastic guides reciting facts. This one is led by someone who has brewed the beer, poured the cocktails, opened the bars, and judged the competitions — in this city, for two decades.
- Personal, small-group attention — every tour and lesson is led by me, directly.
- Real industry insight: brewing science, cocktail technique, and the stories behind Chicago's bars.
- Flexible booking for individuals, groups, corporate outings, and private events.
- Cicerone-level beer knowledge paired with award-caliber cocktail craft.
Before You Book
Questions, Answered
Everything guests ask before a crawl, a lesson, or an event. Anything else, call (312) 204-7200.
How long is a Chicago brewery crawl?
Crawls run about three hours and include three breweries, with sample drinks at each stop.
How many people can join?
Brewery crawls run with 4 to 12 guests. Cocktail lessons take up to 12 people. Larger groups can be arranged — call and ask.
Is transportation included?
No. Guests walk or rideshare between stops, and we meet at the first brewery. Neighborhood routes are chosen so the walking is short.
How much does it cost?
Brewery crawls start at $70 per person with sample drinks included. Cocktail and mixology lessons are $300 for three hours, up to 12 people. Private event bartending is $90 per hour with a three-hour minimum.
How far in advance should I book?
Please allow at least 24 hours. Tours, lessons, and events run any day of the week between 11am and 9pm.
Which parts of Chicago do you cover?
The Loop and River North, West Loop and Fulton Market, Logan Square, Wicker Park and Bucktown, Pilsen, Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Wrigleyville, Old Town, Ravenswood and Lincoln Square, and the South Loop.
Who leads the experience?
Every booking is led personally by the owner — a Certified Cicerone, 20-year Chicago beverage industry veteran, former head brewer, and former bar owner.
Do you host cocktail lessons at my home?
Yes. Lessons can happen at your place or mine, whichever suits the group.
Is there an age requirement?
Guests must be 21 or older for any experience involving alcohol.
How do I book?
Call (312) 204-7200, email chicagobeverageexperience@gmail.com, or send the contact form on this page.
Get In Touch
Let's Plan Your Chicago Beverage Experience
Have a date in mind, a group to plan for, or just a question? Reach out below, call, email, or send a message on social — whatever's easiest for you.
Other Ways to Reach Me
Email chicagobeverageexperience@gmail.com Call or Text (312) 204-7200Follow Along