Very bad news for beer lovers. The Real Ale Festival, by far Chicagos biggest and best annual beer event, will not be held this year. Last year it was held in an old foundry at Finkl Steel, Chicagos little specialty steel mill. It was a great event in a nearly perfect location. They served something like 150 true cask-conditioned ales over three days. This year it was scheduled for March 4-6 but unfortunately the City of Chicago is unable to grant a license for the same event at the same location. Its really a shame, Ive been looking forward to the Festival since last year. They promise to hold one next year, somewhere. (I have no connection with the Festival, other than being a satisfied attendee for many years.)