Illinois Brewery Running Series
5K Fun run events that start and end at some of the Best breweries in Illinois. BE ACTIVE. HAVE FUN. GIVE BACK. A Portion of proceeds support local nonprofits.
Join Us to Run, Walk, Or Volunteer
Participate however you like; run, jog, or walk! Families are always welcome, and kids under 10 run for free. Running strollers are always welcome and dogs are always allowed on our courses (but check if the brewery allows dogs inside!). All of our 5K events are untimed fun runs. No matter what, there will be a beer waiting at the finish line!
All single events are $30 (unless noted) and include one beer, collector’s glassware or seasonal swag item, and an invitation to enjoy the day’s scheduled festivities: live music, food, sponsor goodies, giveaways and more!
Volunteer for beer! We’re always looking for enthusiastic, beer-loving volunteers to help us put on these awesome 5K fun runs. Want a free beer without having to run/walk? Click here to sign up as a volunteer!
NEXT EVENT-Virtual Cheers & Literal Beers Challenge: April 5-May 2
Be Active
What is the Illinois Brewery Running Series?
The Illinois Brewery Running Series (as featured on ABC 7 Chicago) is about inspiring people to Be Active, Have Fun, and Give Back. We host untimed family-friendly 5K fun runs that start and end at some of the best breweries in Illinois.
Participants walk or run 3.1 miles, then drink beer! Everyone is invited to enjoy the day’s entertainment: live music, great food, giveaways and activities with partners and sponsors. Everyone receives a craft brew and a collector’s pint glass or seasonal swag item. 10% of our proceeds help support our nonprofit partners, the Chicago Parks Foundation and Chicago Run.
Be Active
The number of miles we’ve collectively traveled since 2016, 3.1-ish at a time.
2020 Illinois Brewery Running Series
Schedule
Winter 2020
FEBRUARY
29th at 11AM- LeapBEER Indoor Challenge at Whiner Beer Co. (Back of the Yards)
MARCH
7th at 6PM – Kick Off Party at Fleet Feet Lincoln Square-SOLD OUT
28th noon-8pm Virtual Kick Off Party
spring 2020
APRIL
25th at 11AM – Empirical Brewery (Ravenswood)-POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19
MAY
3rd at 10AM – Twisted Hippo (Albany Park/Ravenswood)-POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19
9th at 11AM- Temperance Beer Co. (Evanston)-POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19
31st at 11AM- On Tour Brewing Co. (West Town)
JUNE
3rd at 6:30 PM – Goose Island Beer Company (Fulton Market)
13th at 11AM – One Lake Brewing (Oak Park)
14th at 11:30AM – Revolution Brewing (Logan Square)
20th at 11AM- Pilot Project Brewing (Logan Square)
21st at 11AM- Marz Community Brewing (Bridgeport)
28th at 11AM- Spiteful Brewing (Ravenswood)
Summer 2020
JULY
12th at 11AM – Ballast Point Brewing (West Loop)
18th at 11AM – Lo-Rez Brewing (Pilsen)
19th at 11AM – Great Central Brewing Company (West Loop)
26th at 11AM- Door4 Brewing (Decatur, IL)
AUGUST
9th at 9:30AM – Maplewood Brewery (Logan Square)
15th at 10AM- Cruz Blanca Cerveceria (West Loop)
16th at 10:30AM- Off Color Brewing (Old Town)
23rd at 11AM-Two Brothers Roundhouse (Aurora, IL)
29th at 10AM-Elmhurst Brewing (Elmhurst, IL)
Fall 2020
SEPTEMBER
19th at 11AM- Whiner Beer Co. (Back of the Yards)
20th at 11AM- ERIS Brewery & Cider House (Old Irving Park)
26h at 11AM- Pollyanna Brewing (St. Charles, IL)
OCTOBER
3rd at 11AM- Alarmist Brewing (Sauganash)
4th at 11AM- Short Fuse Brewing Company (Schiller Woods, IL)
18th at 11AM-Flapjack Brewery (Berwyn, IL)
25th at 11AM-Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria & Brewery (Hyde Park)
*BOOs & BREWS Halloween Event!
DECEMBER
6th at 11AM – 0.5K Winter Beer Dash Between Spiteful Brewing and Empirical Brewery (Ravenswood)
Have Fun!
Beer and running are the mechanisms for bringing people together!
We welcome runners, walkers, joggers of all levels. Anyone who wants to get out and enjoy the community is invited to join in the fun! We value the experience of gathering like-minded folks together, and we think every finish line is worthy of a celebration. We support our fellow local businesses and encourage others to do the same. Our commitment to our local community and curiosity in what’s possible is what inspires us to grow!
Give Back
Giving back to our community and supporting great causes is part of who we are. 10% of our proceeds help support these non-profit organizations. To date, the Illinois Brewery Running Series has given back over $12,000 to local non-profits!
Chicago Parks Foundation’s mission is to build a stronger community dedicated to supporting and conserving our city’s parks.
Chicago Run’s mission is to promote the health and wellness of Chicago children through innovative, engaging, and sustainable youth running programs.
We also support other non-profits in the Chicagoland area. The list will keep growing!
Our Partners
Where are we running?
Use the map below to find an event near you!
LeapBEER
Empirical
Twisted Hippo
Temperance
On Tour
Goose Island
One Lake
Revolution
Pilot Project
Marz
Spiteful
Ballast Point
Lo-Rez
Great Central
Door 4
Maplewood
Cruz Blanca
Off Color
Two Brothers
Elmhurst
Whiner
ERIS
Pollyanna
Alarmist
Short Fuse
Flapjack
Jolly Pumpkin
0.5K Winter Beer Dash
Check Out the Fun
(in all types of weather)!
About Us
The Brewery Running Series started in Minneapolis in 2012 by Nate Herrington and Morgan Jappe. They wanted to combine their favorite things – being active, drinking beer, and supporting their community. Turns out, a few thousand other locals share those same interests! A few years and tens of thousands of beers and miles later, they decided to branch out.
The Illinois Brewery Running Series is locally owned and operated by Chicago residents Serena Pomerantz and Rob Hendler. They are the masterminds behind the Illinois schedule and at the helm of ensuring everyone has a great run/walk, delicious beer, and a fun experience!
2020 will be the FIFTH year Serena and Rob have been enjoying beer run fun in Illinois!
Our Team
Serena Pomerantz
Co-Founder
Serena is an avid runner and beer enthusiast in Chicago. Serena’s number one job at BRS is to make sure that everyone has FUN! When she’s not organizing events or running, she enjoys being active in the local theater scene in Chicago, reading (and discussing) Harry Potter, traveling around the world, and searching for the best slice of pizza in Chicago (she’s not having much luck as she is a native New Yorker!).
Rob Hendler
Co-Founder
Rob loves beer and loves running, though he runs more to breweries than for exercise. He is the designated Course Master for the Illinois Brewery Running Series and is here to make sure you don’t get lost and get back to the brewery safely to enjoy your beer! When not fitting all the Brewery Running Series supplies into his car, Rob can be seen at slam poetry events or home brewing with BRS friends!
Jenny Harrod
Jenny is a craft beer enthusiast and ensures drinking local is a key part of all travel! She likes to pair her crafted beverages with staying active – preferably outdoors and hiking mountains – but will settle for 5k’s in the concrete jungle of Chicago. She’s loved BRS since her first run at Declaration Brewing in Colorado in 2016 and is excited to share her passion and #beertography!
Connect
Because running and drinking is more fun with friends, follow us on social media for discounts, deals, and the latest news!
Contact us
Volunteer!
Our events couldn’t happen without you. We ask for 2.5-hours of your time in exchange for a beer, t-shirt, and swag item.