First-Ever 'Craft Spirits Week' Debuts in October

(Photo: Koval Distilleries)

This is insanely cool and finally an opportunity to showcase some of the best!

As the Independent Spirits Expo hits Chicago for the second year in a row in early October, the first-ever Chicago Craft Spirits Week will debut as well.

Spearheaded by local distillers FEW, Koval and North Shore, the week-long festivities will include a number of tasting events, seminars and dinners that will showcase craft distilleries in the Midwest, country and beyond. The week culminates with open houses at each of the distilleries.

Just a taste of what you'll get:

There's Nothing Wrong With Sticky Fingers: 'Rib-a-Que' Returns To Wicker Park

It's supposed to be chilly, windy and rainy Saturday, but I found something to warm you down to the bones: the fifth-annual Rib-a-Que Smoke-Out, going down at Moonshine in Wicker Park.

It's the spectacular competition where amateur cooks go up against seasoned pros for the title of Smoke-out Champion and the coveted Gilded Grill trophy.

For $25 ($35 at the door), you'll get to sample ribs from all 16 contestants, which includes the likes of Joe's on Weed Street, Boundary, Moonshine and Ja' Grill. SmallBar and Socca return to defend their titles (they won the people's choice and judges' vote, respectively, in 2011).