Coffee And Brew Expo Will Be Held At Aurora's Fox Valley Mall

AURORA, IL — Get your ceramic cups and pints ready because an expo dedicated to brews of both kinds is coming to Aurora.

Fox Valley Mall in Aurora is hosting its Coffee and Brew Expo, which is set to take place in Center Park from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Event-goers will have the chance to sip local craft beers and specialty coffees while enjoying live music in the mall's indoor park.

Not only will the event — limited to people 21 and older — introduce attendees to local businesses from across the Chicagoland area, but also a fourth of the ticket proceeds will benefit Alive Center Aurora, a teen-led and -driven gathering place focused on empowering youth.

General admission to this weekend's event is $25 per person. Each ticket includes a koozie lanyard, a commemorative 5-ounce tasting glass, seven alcoholic drink tickets and unlimited access to espresso and coffee samples.

Here's a look at participating local businesses.

Coffee shops

• Soul Loco Artisan Roasters & Coffee Shop, Batavia
• Ninja Girl Coffee Company, Lockport
• Gigawatt Coffee Roasters, Bensenville
• Java Plus, Aurora
• Smugglers Coffee, Lowell, Indiana
• Endiro Coffee, Aurora
• Five & Hoek Coffee, Wheaton

Breweries

• Church Street Brewing Company, Itasca
• First Forest Brewing, Hodgkins
• Foreign Exchange Brewing Co., Aurora
• Metal Monkey Brewing, Romeoville
• Noon Whistle Brewing, Lombard
• Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead, Elburn
• Oswego Brewing Co., Oswego

Provisions aren't limited only to food. A la carte vendors Gillerson's Grubbery and Banana Pudding Twist will both be around serving tasty treats — for an extra cost.

Advanced tickets can be purchased through the Fox Valley Mall's website.