More cheers for beer

My fellow craft beer buds, you don't want to miss these events:

Doesn't the thought of a Stouts & Porters Tasting make your mouth water?! They may still have a few seats left for tonight's event at Bluebird, which includes a dozen global beers from St. Amroise Oatmeal Stout (Montreal) to Two Brothers Northwind Imperial Stout (Warrenville, Ill.). Twenty-five bucks also gets you brats and snacks. Reservations required. 7:30pm.

Sheffield’s beer school is in session, this time pairing suds with slices from Ian's Pizza. Their wacky mac 'n' cheese pizza, plus those topped with S'Mores, BBQ chicken and a salad (?!) will be artfully complemented with selections from beer expert Phil Kuhl. $25. Reservations required. Wednesday.

Or for a less-structured event Wednesday, head to West Loop hang The Beer Bistro for $2 cans of Hamm’s, PBR, Schlitz, Old Style or Point. OK, so those aren't nowhere near craft beers, but they'll perfectly pair with the beer-battered chicken fingers, BLT Club or one of their specialty pizzas. Happens every week.

Annual schmoozefest Wine, Beer & Art Party, hosted by 20/30 Club of Chicago, happens at Mars Gallery (1139 W. Fulton Market). Get ready for a well-picked selection of beer and wine. All proceeds benefit Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, Horizons For Youth, HFS Chicago Scholars and MGR Foundation. 7-11pm Feb. 27. $35 in advance; $40 at door.

The Publican premieres the Monthly Beer Dinner Series on March 1 with the debut of Executive Chef Paul Kahan's Banana 7-Inch, a banana beer he created with Three Floyds. The four-course dinner is served family style, and reservations are highly recommended. $45 for dinner (additional $20 for beer pairings). 5-10pm.

And a special Unibroue Beer Dinner occurs at C-House with commentary by the brewer's own culinary attaché Jim Javenkoski. He'll guide guests through the five-course menu paired with the Belgian-inspired ales. Just tell us when the suckling pig arrives piping hot with the White Ale with Fruit and Spices. That's 6-8pm March 5. $40 (reservations required).