Beer tasting and ugly sweater contest at Hawthorne’s Backyard

Put on grandma’s embroidered Christmas sweater and skip over to Hawthorne’s Backyard’s beer tasting from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. For $10, sample 15 three-ounce samples from 10 different breweries. Vote for your favorite — the winning beer goes on tap. Half of the proceeds go to Special Olympics. Cash and prizes for ugliest sweater.

Hawthorne’s Backyard is at 1200 W. Hawthorne Lane, West Chicago. (630) 293-6700 or hawthornesbackyard.com.

Fiamme’s holiday cocktails

Get in the holiday spirit with new holiday spirits at Fiamme’s Pizzeria Napoletana. They include the dark cherry Manhattan, with a spice-soaked cherry, Vanilla Crown Royal, bitters and Sweet Vermouth for $10. Or the candy cane martini made with Peppermint Vodka, Peppermint Schnapps and Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur in a candy cane-rimmed martini glass for $12.

Fiamme Pizzeria Napoletana is at 19 N. Washington St., Naperville. (630) 470-9441 or fiammepizza.com.

Miller’s Ale House’s breakfast beer

Beer. It’s what’s for breakfast at Miller’s Ale House. Well, maybe not exactly. But beer with breakfast flavors is a thing. Like Blue Moon Brewing Company’s Cappuccino Oatmeal Stout — a stout brewed with oats, cocoa and decaffeinated coffee. It’s available at Miller’s Ale House for $5.95 per pint.

Miller’s Ale House is at 455 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard. (630) 241-3371 or millers alehouse.com.

— Sara Hooker