Marketing idea of the week: The Lodi Tap House Christmas in July Advent Calendar

If we’re going to be having Christmases in July, it is only fair that it has its own beer advent calendar. I mean, of course! The big brains at the Lodi Tap House in Chicago hatched this idea five years ago, and this is their biggest one yet. The Lodi Tap House Craft Beer Advent Calendar this year features 24 of Illinois’ finest craft breweries from across the state.

“We’re very excited to bring back our craft beer and cider advent calendars this year. We started the advent calendar to capture the spirit and passion people have for craft beer to help celebrate the holiday season. There are more than 300 microbreweries in Illinois and we are proud to partner with 24 across the state to highlight and showcase all the different varieties of beer enjoyed and created. It’s a great way to celebrate each other, small businesses, the holidays, and the creativity of new and exciting beers that have never been featured before,” said Luke Goucher, Co-Owner of Lodi Tap House and Illinois Crafted Hospitality. 

All of the surprise beers featured in the advent calendar were made exclusively as limited-edition beers that can ONLY be purchased through the Lodi Tap House advent calendar. 

There are 13 new breweries featured this year, 8 returning breweries from 2023 and 3 breweries returning from the “vault” of years past. The featured breweries in the 2024 beer advent calendar include: 

• Around the Bend Beer Company (Chicago)
• Dutchbag Brewing Company (Chicago)
• Foreign Exchange Brewing Company (Aurora)
• Hailstorm Brewing Company (Tinley Park)
• Keg Grove Brewing Company (Bloomington)
• Kinslahger Brewing Company (Oak Park)
• Lena Brewing Company (Lena)
• Mikerphone Brewing (Elk Grove Village)
• More Brewing Company (Huntley)
• Nik & Ivy Brewing Company (Lockport)
• Noon Whistle Brewing (Naperville)
• Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead (Elburn)
• Old Irving Brewing Company (Chicago)
• Pig Minds Brewing Company (Machesney Park)
• Pipeworks Brewing Company (Chicago)
• Pollyanna Brewing Company (Lemont)
• Ravinia Brewing Company (Chicago)
• Reserve Artisan Ales (Galesburg)
• Riverlands Brewing Company (St. Charles)
• Roaring Table Brewing Company (Lake Zurich)
• Solemn Oath Brewery (Naperville)
• Tangled Roots Brewing Company (Ottawa)
• Will County Brewing Company (Shorewood)
• White Oak Brewing (Normal)

As a perk for buying early, customers could have secured the calendar at the discounted price of $89.99. The $10 delivery fee will also be waived and customers will select a purchase delivery location for pickup in front of local breweries throughout the state of Illinois, close to their home starting on November 1.

Additionally, Lodi is offering the seasonal favorite, Obscurity Brewing’s Island of Misfit beers, as an $11.99 4-pack add on. A cider/mead version of the advent calendar is also available for pre-order. The price of the advent calendars will increase to $94.99 August 1.