Father's Day Pig Roast Tix On Sale Now!

Good day, beautiful people!

I have a dark and disturbing secret that emerges every spring like some perverse bud from a scarred and paper-skinned tree. I don't open up about this publicly too often for reasons that will soon be obvious, but, we're all friends here, right? This is a "safe space" as the kids seem to need these days, right? 

I trust you like a crooked doctor, so here it goes. Every Spring cycle of this incredible, extensible planet's journey I am filled with an insatiable desire to listen to the Grateful Dead. I know, I know. It's true and, while I'm not completely ashamed of it, it's not my proudest feature.

Now, let's be clear for one second: I skip all the Bobby Weir tracks. ALL of them. Well, all of them except "Burning Shore" and a periodic "Not Fade Away". I can't abide by Little Bobby Weir, I just can't. But Jerry Garcia? Jerry in his pre-heroine, mostly Pig Pen-era guitar sound, composition and vocal stylings, he's almost unmatchable in any genre. Emotional, soulful, heart-breaking and entirely unafraid to not resolve a guitar phrasing. The fuzzy old freak at his peak was a wholly American genius. Never mind what we've done to the valuation of the word "genius" in these post 9/11 days.

Don't believe me? Fine. Go find a live version of "Morning Dew" (the Europe '72 version will work just fine) or a "Stella Blue" from around '75 or '76 (try this one from the Orpheum Theatre in 1976) and, if you remain unmoved, we don't have to talk anymore.

Now, all of this is to say that I've found my annual warm-weather habit completely upended by the release of Marc Ribot's exquisite new solo release "Map of the Blue City". Marc Ribot is best known as Tom Waits' guitarist on such albums as "Rain Dogs", "Bone Machine" and "Frank's Wild Years", but he also has a hell of a pedigree in the early '80s New York art-rock scene. He even played guitar for Allen Ginsberg on one of Mr. Ginsberg's questionable attempts at musicality.

Ribot is a guitarist like no other. Mixing jazz, punk and classical latino stylings into a sound that reminds one of the better days of the 1970's while dumping us in a parallel world where there's no currency higher than raw human emotion. I can't get enough of this stuff. And, in case you're wondering, this has absolutely nothing to do with beer other than, perhaps, reminding us of one of the great side-effects of all the best inebriants: the art of conversation and the joy of sharing joys.

It's a beautiful day today. Why not put Marc Ribot's new album on your pocket surveillance device and ride your bike over to IBW Lodge #1 and enjoy a pop or two with friends new and strangers old? That's what I'm going to do just as soon as I finish my little tractate here. 
 


Tickets are now on sale for the 4th Annual Father's Day Pig Roast. Hit up the eventbrite page to secure your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fathers-day-pig-roast-tickets-1369211972869

Just like last year, we have 2 seatings to make this as easy as possible on all involved. 1pm and 2:30pm will get you a good-sized pulled pork sandwich, 2 sides and a beer or a glass of wine from our friends at WineStyles. If you're on the wagon or whatever, you can also purchase a ticket that is a little cheaper and gets you a soda.

Tickets are limited, so I would strongly suggest you pick up your seating now rather than waiting for the last minute. 

And, if you're buying these tickets for the Big Daddy in your life, why not get him the GREATEST FATHER'S DAY GIFT OF ALL TIME and purchase entry to our all grain brewing opportunity for Saturday, July 19th, BREW WITH THE BREWER? That's right, for an incredibly reasonable price you can come to IBW too early on a Saturday and make a batch of beer with our Head Brewer Brian Buckman. You'll get to help grain in and grain out, pitch yeast, add hops and you'll be able to pepper Bucky with no end of strange questions through out the day. For the price you also get Lunch, 2 "shift beers" at the end of the day and an IBW work shirt with your name embroidered on it.

Availability for this class is SUPER limited (12 people), so secure your spot now at https://www.ibw-chicago.com/cult-propoganda/saturday-july-19th-brew-with-the-brewer

This Sunday, June 8th we've got a very special event. We'll be screening "Charlie Louvin: Still Rattlin' the Devil's Cage" and we'll have the co-producer on hand for a Q&A. Here's a bit more info on the films:

"Charlie Louvin: Still Rattlin' the Devil's Cage celebrates the life and music of Country Music Hall of Fame legend Charlie Louvin. As one half of The Louvin Brothers in the 1950s, Charlie helped to create the close brother harmonies that were cited as inspiration by The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, and the Byrds. The film features interviews with Charlie, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Marty Stuart, and John McCrea from Cake"

We're putting a lot of effort into more FREE LIVE events at our little beer hovel and the past 2 weekends have been no exception. We've got bands performing all original music 6/14, 6/20, 6/27, 6/28. I'll send out another email with more details on that, but, long story short. Get ready for a full Summer scheduling of some of Chicago's better independent musical acts in Chicago's strangest brewery!

Oh, hey! Did I mention that GAY AGENDA is released? This year's batch is the best yet, I guarantee it! And you can also get your Gay Agenda shirts now after several years of us missing the mark on this merch monster. We've got t-shirts as well as men and women's tanks. Buy them here!

 I'm super excited for Summer 2025!! Come play with us FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER.....
 

You can see all of our events on our event calendar at https://www.ibw-chicago.com/events

You can see what's currently on tap at IBW LODGE #1 at https://www.ibw-chicago.com/whats-on-tap

Yoga & Sound Bath This Saturday w/ Oracle+Alchemy, Aeriz & Snackie Chan

GOOD PEOPLE OF EARTH!

This Saturday, May 3rd at 11am, we're VERY excited to offer our first venture into the sordid worlds of BREWERY YOGA!

We're teaming up with our friends at Oracle+Alchemy Yoga, Aeriz Cannabis and Snackie ChanVegan snacks for the perfect start to your first real Saturday morning of Spring in Chicago!

Jillian from O+A will lead you on a yoga session integrating 5 different styles of yoga. Once she's properly dusted you off and polished you up, she's going to dip you into the aural atmospheres of her COSMIC CRYSTAL BOWL SOUND BATH. Whaaat? 

$40 gets you the yoga session, the sound bath and one beer of your choice. Aeriz will be available to punch up your interstellar operations and the inimitable SNACKIE CHAN will have yummy treats for you to buy and chew on after your done yogaing.

If this goes well, we'll do a lot more of this. If it doesn't, I'll never talk to any of you again.

There is still space available, but it is limited so do us and yourself a favor and Please RSVP with your interest to info@ibw-chicago.com and plan to bring your own Yoga mat! DON'T MISS THIS!!

And, hey, while I've got your attention why don't you let me show you all of the delightful and fresh beer we've got available providing one of the quickest, easiest and most reliable escape routes from this troubled world that I know of.

 And that isn't even all of what we have here. I mean, come on! You've got everything from a 13% Chocolate and Peanut Butter Stout, to a Coffee version of Pazuzu, a dry-hopped Cream Ale, our Biere de Garde named for Michael Mann's first and awful film "The Keep", a sour, a farmhouse and one of our best Slushy Things that we swing.

All of this can be yours with only a minimal amount of paperwork! We can get you started on that paperwork Saturday or morning, or, hell, even today, RIGHT NOW, and then you could stay for Tuesday Trivia if you wanted. 

We're here for you, we want you to be ok and we're available to discuss it, mood dependent.
 

You can see all of our events on our event calendar at https://www.ibw-chicago.com/events

You can see what's currently on tap at IBW LODGE #1 at https://www.ibw-chicago.com/whats-on-tap

IBW Lodge #1 Is Here for You!


MR. MONK'S IS BACK IN ACTION!
ZORRO TACO TRUCK ON FRIDAY APRIL 25th!
TOTALLY '80's THEMED TEAM TRIVIA, APRIL 27th!
YOGA & SOUND BATH, SATURDAY MAY 3rd!!

Hiyo!

I hope you all are enjoying this fine, fine Friday.

I rode my bike to the shop for the first time in 2025 this morning and, I'm here to tell you, it's a freakinglife changer. And, holy moly, does this life need some changing. 

So, in service of that desired change, I started today with a lovely bike ride through the Forest Glenn Forest Preserve just south of the shop here. Nothing changes a dark and dreary mood, I tell you, like two wheels, some trees and a morning breeze.

And then, to keep slugging away at this grim situation, I thought I'd throw on some new, old music I hadn't indulged my brains in for a while. I'm in a dire need to re-warp this old and tattered brain from a hopeless outlook back into inspired derision, the kind they tear down old buildings and old times with. How about "Coalminers" from Uncle Tupelo's classic album "March 16-20 1992"?

Jay Farrar and Jeff Tweedy at an early career high, bringing brimstone and hellfire down onto the warty back of a crippled and corrupt government system? I'll take two please!

Ok, so now, with a good bike ride and some cantankerous local "No Depression" tuneage, all I needed to finish the trifecta was a little help get through the batch of JUNIOR ASTRONAUT JUICE we're making today, With that in mind, I thought it only wise to employ our fresh East Coast Cream Ale for ethical, spiritual and diurnal purposes. Yes, that's right, back from too long of a retirement... MR. MONK'S CREAM ALE. 

This is a particularly yummy batch, if I do say so myself. And I do! Come try some for yourself when you find the time, why don't ya?

And, speaking of which, we've got a few good reasons for making the heroes journey out here to IBW Lodge #1 aside from this delicious cream ale. 

Like next Friday, April 25th, we've got the ZORRO TACO TRUCK back slinging incredible hand-made tacos. Grab 3 tacos and 8 beers and start your weekend off correctly. ZORRO's will start service right around 5pm, just in time for your breakfast if you're a vampire.

And then, Sunday, April 27th @ 3pm THEMED TEAM TRIVIA is back with TOTALLY '80's TRIVIA. 

Bring your teams of up to 6 players and answer questions about the 1980's!!! Win beer! Win strange prizes! Impress EVERYONE! The game starts at 3pm sharp. Dress in costume for bonus points!!

AND THEN... Saturday May 3rd at 11am, I'm very excited for our first venture into the sordid worlds of BREWERY YOGA!

We're teaming up with our friends at Oracle+Alchemy Yoga, Aeriz Cannabis and Snackie Chan Vegan snacks for the perfect start to your Saturday morning.

Jillian from O+A will lead you on a yoga session integrating 5 different styles of yoga. Once she's properly dusted you off and polished you up, she's going to dip you into the aural atmospheres of her COSMIC CRYSTAL BOWL SOUND BATH. Whaaat? 

$40 gets you the yoga session, the sound bath and one beer of your choice. Aeriz will be available to punch up your interstellar operations and the inimitable SNACKIE CHAN will have yummy treats for you to buy and chew on after your done yogaing.

If this goes well, we'll do a lot more of this. If it doesn't, I'll never lift another finger again for any reason whatsoever!

Please RSVP with your interest to info@ibw-chicago.com and plan to bring your own Yoga mat! DON'T MISS THIS!!

Oh! I almost forgot!! If all these wonderful events (and also PLEASE don't forget Tuesday Trivia and Murder Bingo every Wednesday!) just aren't enough to drag your agoraphobic ass out to our charming little beer hovel, then how about the TRUTH that we just added a new, mean-spirited gunslinger to our cadre of charming chimps that try to pour beer behind our bar? 

Come by and meet EMILY. She has many names and wears even more hats. And, you know what? You probably already know her anyway. So, just come by and say "Hi!"

Emily is taking over our Saturday afternoon shifts and has promised to not charge anyone for anything while she's on shift as long as you tip her well. Come by and kick the tires on that proposal and see how far it gets you!

In all truthiness, Emily is the bees knees. She's been a friend and a regular from the get-go and now she's ready to bring her praeter natural super powers to the other side of the bar and punch up your Saturdays. Come make the most of it! And tip her well!!

Last thing and then I'm done. Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox and we here at IBW take that moderately serious. So, Forbes will be opening at the regular time of 2pm but might close shop early if the rest of you hippies are out celebrating some other pagan holiday and not haunting our establishment. So, I guess my point is, if you want to belly up at IBW this Sunday, do it before 6pm and then John won't close early. But, if all you monsters are out knee-deep in some kind of depraved fertility rite and don't come warm our seats here, well, I'm not sure I can promise you anything but more of this same Garmonbozia that seems to be every day's soup de jour anymore.  And nobody - NOBODY - likes du jour no more!

Go get 'em, le Tigre.

You can see all of our events on our event calendar athttps://www.ibw-chicago.com/events

You can see what's currently on tap at IBW LODGE #1 at https://www.ibw-chicago.com/whats-on-tap

St. Pat's & More This Weekend @ IBW Lodge #1!

Oh, hi, I didn't expect to see you here.

Sit on down, take a seat. It's cozy here by the light of the fire. I even brought some marshmallows.

Never mind what it is that's burning, a fire's always a lovely thing to share with a friend.

No, no, I know. Social Security smells a little funny when it burns, but, you know, you'll get used to it. Yeah, there you go. Who's cozy now? Who? Who?

Ahhhhh, friends. How ARE you? Do you have stretch marks around your eye holes like I do? And pucker prints on your pants? Man, this season of "Severance" is pretty nutty, eh?

So, yeah, we've got a few things we should be discussing in hushed tones. You know, events at ye olde Beer Hovel that some of you may or may not be that into. 

Really, we've got so many events, of so many different shapes and flavors, I have to believe there's something for almost everybody.

Read on if you will...

It's officially post-winter here at IBW as this Friday, March 14th, is not only a full lunar eclipse in Virgo, but, to celebrate, we've got the HAPPY LOBSTER FOOD TRUCK returning for its first of many stops here this foul year of 2025.

We open at 4pm on Friday and Lobster service starts around 5:30p. If you like lobster and you enjoy not being at home, this kind of is the thing for you.

And then, just when you thought it was safe to have a Sunday, it's the North Side St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday March 16th. As always, we'll be opening at 10am so you can really lean into your Irish the way we know you do. 

We'll be slinging pints of our Irish Stout, CLURICHAUN TRAP, plus all our other 8 faucets of beer and Slushies. Additionally, Mr. Monk will be providing his infamous CORNED BEEF ROLLS once again to keep your beer breakfast bellies full of something other than Jameson and beer.

The parade wraps up around noon and we'll keep that train running sideways pouring CLURICHAUN TRAP for you Stout heads and ECTO-SLUSHY for you freaks that need your beverage to be green one day a year. And, by 2pm, you'll be plenty obnoxious, so we've got CHUCK'S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA TRUCK showing up to throw a little delicious on that fire and keep you all manageable.

And then, for you intrepid lushes, we'll have ROBOT KARAOKE firing up about 5:30pm. Should be another helluva day where memories will be made and dignities lost. Come celebrate something about something for something and also DRINK with your troubled friends here at IBW.

We'll all need a bit of a breather after that, so, thank crickets that Monday all you have to do is go to work and get back to phoning it all in.

The following Sunday, March 23rd, we're very excited to be hosting a screening and discussion of Richard Metzger's (Disinformation Company) exciting new project MAGICK SHOW.

Featuring interviews with over 50 of today's most compelling practicing occultists, MAGICK SHOW is a beautifully produced and very entertaining stroll through the ins and outs, pasts and futures, what-is-yous and what-have-yous of today's most interesting brain change technologies.

Episode #1 has been released and we'll be hosting a FREE screening of this minor masterpiece and doing as much discussing about it as you fine, feathered freaks would like following.

We'll get started around 2:30pm and then why not just hang out, throw back some bubbly medicine and run your jaw on about your highest self with other like minded adventurers? As members of the Heaven's Gate cult used to say, "Just Do It!"

Ok, that's it for now. Stay cozy, be cool and don't fear the fire, it's only just your bullshit going up in flames.

You can see all of our events on our event calendar athttps://www.ibw-chicago.com/events

You can see what's currently on tap at IBW LODGE #1 at https://www.ibw-chicago.com/whats-on-tap