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Home›Featured Post›Brewery Focus›Brewery Spotlights›Spotlight on Door 4 Brewing Co. — This Decatur favorite offers a wide variety of beer styles, axe throwing, a popular stage, and even its own food truck

Spotlight on Door 4 Brewing Co. — This Decatur favorite offers a wide variety of beer styles, axe throwing, a popular stage, and even its own food truck

By Trent Modglin
January 30, 2023
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Door 4 Brewing Co.
1214 W. Cerro Gordo Street

Decatur, IL 62522
Door4Brewing.com

Monday: 3-9 p.m.
Thursday: 3-9 p.m.
Friday: 3-10 p.m.
Saturday: 1-10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

History in short: Located in Decatur in central Illinois, Door 4, which celebrated its fifth anniversary in December, was founded “with an approach to foster creativity, fun, and excitement around craft beer.” Sounds good, no? 

The space: The industrial Door 4 is located inside the fourth door on the lower level of the Marquis Beverage Campus.

A large mural in the taproom features some of the history and local landmarks of Decatur, as well as Door 4. There’s also a rotating art wall that showcases pieces from local artists.

Door 4’s own food truck offers a variety of hand-crafted food selections and has made the taproom a popular destination for Sunday brunch. Bonus: Entertain yourself with some video-gaming options, board games or indoor axe throwing as well. And let’s not forget the massive garage doors and spacious patio to utilize during warmer months. 

Door 4’s own food truck offers a variety of hand-crafted food selections and has made the taproom a popular destination for Sunday brunch.

Interesting note: Door 4 makes the most of their in-house stage, which has showcased countless comedians and musicians, as well as open-mic nights on Thursdays hosted by their head brewer. They also regularly host festivals, fundraisers, family days, business presentations, raffles, Bingo, trivia nights, tasting parties, private events and more.

What we’re drinking: The taproom features 36 handles (and a lot of guest taps), as well as a selection of spirits, wines and slushies. Chris Krunkle is a smooth and malty Munich dunkel, and the newly released Jet Ski Rental is a highly rated imperial hazy IPA. Door 4’s I Came Here on Purpose IPA carries notes of prickly pear, mango muffins, cantaloupe and tangerine jelly beans. Lots going on there, and we love it. Don’t sleep on the toasty Boarding Group A stout that’s perfect for a blustery winter night. 

Door 4 makes the most of their in-house stage, which has showcased countless comedians and musicians, as well as open-mic nights on Thursdays hosted by their head brewer.

On the horizon: For now, Door 4 is focusing on lagers and IPAs, but they brew a wide variety of styles, including a cream ale, which has become a popular regional style, and expansion is coming soon. “We’ve done collaborations this year with White Oak and Blind Pig here in central Illinois, and I really hope to expand that more next year,” says head brewer Justin Curtis. 

From the brewery: “I hadn’t been planning on hopping right back into the brewing industry when we moved here from North Carolina in the summer of 2021. It was a super saturated industry (in N.C.), and it didn’t offer the opportunity to really make your own mark on anything. But what I saw here was immediately different. A community and, beyond that, a whole region that deserved more fresh craft beer options. So, when I saw that Door 4 was looking to fill the position, it really spoke to me.” — Door 4 head brewer Justin Curtis

TagsBlind PigBoarding Group AChris Krunklecraft beerDecatur breweryDoor 4 BrewingIllinois BrewingIllinois craft breweriesJustin CurtisWhite Oak Brewing
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Sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, Illinois Brewing is printed and distributed quarterly (early January, April, July and October) to more than 250 breweries across the state as well as more than 100 craft beer-focused bars, restaurants and stores. Each member of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s IMBIBE club also receives the magazine in the mail. 

Publisher/owner: Trent Modglin
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Art director: Brian Hertel
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Illinois Brewing's magazine, website and email newsletter are property of Venture Forth Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023.

Illinois Brewing magazine

illinoisbrewing

Stylish magazine, website and e-mail newsletter focused on the vibrant craft beer scene in Illinois. Sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild

Fun event alert: The fourth annual STC Six collabo Fun event alert: The fourth annual STC Six collaboration launch party is happening on Wednesday, June 18 at 5 p.m. at Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling in downtown St. Charles. 

The STC Six is made up of the following St. Charles breweries: @93octanebrewery @alterbeer.stc @brokenbrix_cidery @pollyannabrewingcompany @riverlandsbrewingcompany and D&G. The breweries invite everyone to join in on the celebration for a great cause with the first opportunity to taste the new beer — a West Coast pilsner with notes of citrus, tropical fruit and a touch of pine. 

This year’s collaboration supports the important mission of Support Over Stigma, a nonprofit helping veterans and first responders. For every beer and limited-edition glassware sold, $1 will be donated to the cause. Can’t make it to the event but want to contribute? You can visit any of the participating breweries to try the beer and purchase limited-edition glassware.

More information: STCSix.com
Nice patio session catching up with old friends la Nice patio session catching up with old friends last night at @halfacrebeer on Chicago’s far north side. Really dug the Nebula Double Daisy Cutter hazy IPA, Persephone pomegranate kolsch and Second Setting imperial IPA. New supply of Illinois Brewing is there now too. Summer issue out soon.
Brewer’s Choice: Tom Beckmann @twbeckmann from @ Brewer’s Choice: Tom Beckmann @twbeckmann from @goldfingerbeer on tasty recent brews from @iswasbrewing and @suncatcherbrewing … the growth of his brewery and their fifth annual Lagerversary coming up July 18-20

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712 E. Empire Street in Bloomington. KegGroveBrewing.com
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What better backdrop for sampling great local craf What better backdrop for sampling great local craft beer than in @gallagherwaychi next to iconic Wrigley Field? Friday Night Flights is back on Friday, June 6, and it’s a fantastic deal for such a unique event.

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* Just $30 in advance ($35 at the door)

Tasting session 1:  5–7 PM
Tasting session 2:  8–10 PM

Hosted by the @ilcraftbeer Educational Foundation, every ticket supports scholarships and education for the Illinois brewing community. 

Tickets on sale now at linktr.ee/illinoisbeer
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If you find yourself around the near NW suburbs th If you find yourself around the near NW suburbs this Sunday, May 25, head on over to the annual Main Street Craft Beer Festival in Park Ridge. The eighth annual event — hosted by @wehavegreatbeerpr and @theharpandfiddle — will be held from 12-9 p.m. in the Park Ridge farmers’ market lot. With food, live music, a kid zone and, most importantly, 100+ craft beers available from breweries like @hopbutcher @dovetailbrewery @phasethreebrew and @morebrewing … it’s a pretty solid way to kick off summer.
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It’s a gorgeous venue with private event space and great food and @alterbeer brews
Dropping off the cousin at O’Hare today reminded Dropping off the cousin at O’Hare today reminded us that one great spot for a beer and delicious food before departure (or while awaiting an arrival) is @crustbrewing in Rosemont’s @parkwaybankpark 

Great venue to catch Rosemont’s Rockin’ in the Park concert series every Thursday in the summer too. 

Today’s offerings: The I Know Joe hefeweizen and the delightful Blueberry Crusher, a light-bodied cream ale with a hint of lemon and lots of real blueberries.
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