LIVE CHAT too!  Beer n BBQ (Chicagoland)

We are BBQ Masters (if only in our own minds) and Tenders of grills - United in Smoke! We venture out to barbeque joints and rib shacks to search the best of barbecue. Briskets, links, shoulders, butts, ribs, sausage, hot links, ham, pulled pork, even smoked turkeys, sides...We smoke it all -- beef, chicken, pork, lamb, fish, cheese... We are Passionate--We will taste it all. All of this makes us very thirsty! We seek out lovely selections of beer and wine to quench us. We are Home Brewers – on a quest to discover the perfect batch...

Our membership includes both grilling/bar-be-Q aficionados, as well as the folk who just can't get enough "Q" to savor and chat about... (don't you know, there is a sport to bickering about who makes the best... whether it be ribs, shoulders, butts, briskets... what kind of sauce? dry rub? Styles: Memphis, Texas, Kansas City, Carolina, you know there are at least 3 or 4 other regions around the world that are sensational too)

Our main group of members are the FINGER LICKERS! (chow down, enjoy yourself - don't forget the stash of napkins) We go out wandering the city and suburbs looking for the already cooked bbq to eat and critique.

The second group is Our di e-hard BBQ "Champions" We are the gang who LOVES to cook, pick-out just the perfect wood for the project at hand... and bicker about which methods, techniques, equipment, soppin' basting sauces to use, and which sides to have available to pile on our plates to accompany the tasty eats... Exchange recipes and ideas on the art of barbeque, or be truly evil and keep them to yourself and just smile when people compliment you on your cooking.

WE OWN THE RIGHTS TO BRAG ABOUT IT! (smiles)

Meet with people who love BBQ to exchange recipes and ideas on the art of BBQ. We'll discuss tips, tricks, gear, gadgets, rigs, mods, brines, rubs--as well as a few debates:

Charcoal vs gas vs wood vs electric
Low and slow vs hot and fast
Lump vs briquette
Catsup vs mustard
Marinade vs inject

If you have friends who “like” bbq but just don't GET IT about the exceptional nature of the “Q”, then join up with us to explore it to new heights. If you are captivated by the flame the only thing more mystical and magical is what smoke will do to enhance your food.

We can chat online in the BBQ Discussion Groups about what BBQ cooking strategy works best at each event, discuss what the latest trends are in the BBQ judging world. We'll also spread the word about Chicago-area competitions, for the competitive among us. So whether you call it barbecue, barbeque, Bar-b-Q, roll up your sleeves (maybe even get a bib) and DIVE RIGHT IN!

Here is wishing you GREAT Q in your future.

Here's to beer: Meet with other local Beer drinkers to discuss the intricate delights of this favorite social lubricant. We'll be visiting the finest beer bars, brewpubs, and special events in the city and burbs. A fun group of people even BEFORE the beer starts flowing! We will discover the great places for micro-brews and craft beers. We will discuss the best ways to come up with the perfect batch.

The great news? Both BBQ and Beer are great year 'round, so whether we're cooking that Thanksgiving Turkey on the grill, brushing snow off the top of the grill 'cuz we JUST HAD to taste a little smoke flavor during the winter, and if we are weak of heart and not big on PROVING we are TOUGH CHICAGOANS, we can always get together at local bbq joints while the snow falls.

Let me finish by saying WE ARE SOME OF THE FRIENDLIEST PEOPLE WHO ATTEND MEETUP EVENTS!!! Yes, you will feel included , yes you will be encouraged to join into the conversations... Yes, you will be introduced around ...

Come join us!