Uppers & Downers Chef's Beer Dinner @ Thalia Hall

Now in its fourth year, Uppers & Downers festival of coffee, beer, and coffee-beer is growing into a week long citywide festival with a series of companion events surrounding the big day. Perhaps one of the most exciting is the Charity Beer Dinner hosted inside Thalia Hall on Friday night. Top Chicago culinary talent paired with compelling and uncommon brewers from across the nation will make for a singular evening of beer focused dining. In an effort to give back to the Pilsen community, all profit will be shared with the Pilsen Food Pantry.

Welcome drinks - Burial Brewing Co. & Powers Irish Whiskey

Jason Hammel (Chef-Owner, Lula Cafe) - Prairie Artisan Ales

Andres Padilla (Culinary Director, Frontera Group) - Cruz Blanca Brewery

Kevin Hickey (Chef-Owner, Duck Inn) - 4 Hands Brewing Co.

Michael Galen (Executive Chef, Dusek’s Board & Beer) - Brewery Bhavana

Mindy Segal (Chef-Owner, Hot Chocolate) - Guinness

Menu:

Winter Citrus Salad - charred fennel vinaigrette, furikake, tender greens

Octopus Pibil Taco - Achiote-marinaded Gullo Spanish octopus, silky black beans (with squid ink), inky tortilla, pickled onions, habanero salsa. 

Duck Breast - umeboshi, parsnip, green strawberries 

Berkshire Pork Belly - Lengua baked beans, green coriander, fennel jam

Tres Leches - dark muscavado sugar cake, vanilla halava ganache, sour milk chocolate tres leches