Education is the main focus at the 6th Annual Chicago Rum Festival

TheRumLab.com is proud to celebrate the 6th Annual Chicago Rum Festival (Previously the Midwest Rum Fest) on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at Venue SIX10 (610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL) in Chicago with more than 50 rum expressions poured, speaker programing, entertainment, and more. 

The USA is considered one of the most important countries in the entire rum industry. Before the American Revolution, rum was the most consumed spirit, and now experiencing a renaissance. The Rum Lab – program focused on becoming the Official Rum Expo throughout the Midwest. The RumLab team are the producers of the Taste of Rum Puerto Rico, the official national rum fest along with the California Rum Festival. Each event attracts hundreds of attendees ranging from, trade, rum aficionados, tourists and locals. 

Guests of the fest will learn about rum premiumization, its history and what’s new in 2020, including the popularity of the gold rum category. 

New this year, the fest features a Daiquiri Competition hosted and run by The Beverage Institute. Rum brands from around the world will be represented and international judges will choose the top blend. A to-be-announced bartender from Chicago’s famed Lost Lake will be creating daiquiris using the different rums to showcase the spirit’s versatility during the competition. 

The event is divided into three sessions from 2:00pm – 8:00pm.

• The Spirit Industry Session – consists of a 1.5-hour program (2:00-3:30 pm) offering industry professionals the opportunity to: network with brand representatives, attend training seminars, taste a wide variety of rums, and mingle with industry colleagues. Complimentary snacks and water will be available at each session. 2oz souvenir snifter cup included. Early Bird: $35.00 / Week of event: $45.00.
• VIP “GRAND TASTING” Session – consists of a 4-hour program (3:00-7:00 pm) offering attendees the opportunity to taste .25oz pours of neat rum, and attend educational brand seminars. 1 hour Early Access to event. Complimentary snacks and water will be available at each session. VIP souvenir snifter cup included.  Early Bird: $70.00 / Week of event: $90.00.
• General Admission “GRAND TASTING” Session – consists of a 3-hour program (4:00-7:00 pm) offering attendees the opportunity to taste .25oz pours of neat rum, and attend educational brand seminars. 1 hour Early Access to event. Complimentary snacks and water will be available at each session. 2oz souvenir snifter cup included.  Early Bird: $60.00 / Week of event: $80.00.

Seminar Line-Up 

• Let’s talk Sugar Cane & Terroir: Join Ben Jones, Chase Babcock & Ben Schaffer as they discuss Rum producers from the islands and continents go deep on the essential ingredient in every rum in the world – sugar cane: flavor and styles, agriculture, strains and species, changing climate impacts, definitions, sustainability and terroir
• Caribbean Elixirs: Join Kiowa Bryan and Zan Kong for a journey into various Caribbean drinking traditions. They will explore many island potions including the magical “healing” properties of indigenous tree barks, the ritual of Ti’Punch, and the “energy” of Jamaican tonic wine.  Expect to be laughing, singing and maybe even dancing “The Breadfruit” by the end of this “unconventional” discussion.
• West Indies Rum Distillery: Fermentation, Distillation, Blending and Ageing at West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados: 126 years packed in a 45min with panelists Don Benn & Adrienne Stoner.
• The Significance of Puerto Rican Rum For The Rum Category (Ver.2020) Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow : After the success of these seminars at the 2019 California Rum Festival 2019, Rums of Puerto Rico decided to take the education program on tour in 2020. Ramon Diaz (Global Brand Ambassador for Rums of PR) talks with key leaders in the rum industry about the importance of Puerto Rican Rum for the rum category (Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow).

About The Rum Lab

The Rum Lab is a creative and production agency focused on the rum industry. The company produces the Puerto Rico’s national rum fest – Taste of Rum Puerto Rico – in addition to the California Rum Festival, Midwest Rum Festival,, New York Rum Festival, and new this year, the debut of the Seattle Rum Festival. Events produced by The Rum Lab attract hundreds of guests including beverage trade professionals, rum aficionados, tourists and local consumers. Learn more at www.therumlab.com.

Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-rum-festival-2020-tickets-84194274341. For more information visit http://chicagorumfest.com.