Beer Me, Edwardsville

Sweet old Edwardsville, how you've changed. Some of us who grew up among your shaded lanes and who daydreamed of leaving at first opportunity now find ourselves wishing for return. You're still small enough to offer plentiful green space, quiet serenity and a low crime rate; you're also worldly enough to boast a good state university branch, a superb live-music venue (the Wildey Theatre), highly touted restaurants and a microbrewery. It's the latter asset, Global Brew Tap House & Lounge, that hosts the Edwardsville Spring Beer Festival on the grounds of Edwardsville City Park (Route 159 at South Buchanan Street, Edwardsville, Illinois) today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine. Participating craft breweries include locals such as Civil Life and Urban Chestnut Brewing, as well as national companies Victory Brewing and Dogfish Head; in fact, more than twenty breweries will have their trailers parked, and edibles will be available from foodie luminary Cleveland-Heath, along with other fine establishments. The festival is free and open to all ages, but you must be 21 to purchase beer. Proceeds from beer sales benefit the Boy Scouts. For more information call 618-307-5858 or visit www.globalbrewtaps.com.
Sat., April 26, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 2014