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Home›Featured Post›IB Insiders›Illinois Brewing Insider Mike Zoller on a love of Dovetail’s Czech dark lager, Chicago’s best barrel-aged options and the experience that is Treehouse Brewing Company

Illinois Brewing Insider Mike Zoller on a love of Dovetail’s Czech dark lager, Chicago’s best barrel-aged options and the experience that is Treehouse Brewing Company

By Trent Modglin
February 1, 2023
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Mike Zoller
Chicago, IL
Midwest Editor at PorchDrinking.com

Twitter: @mikezoller
Instagram: @chicagobeer

Favorite breweries: I think it’s always changing based on current preferences, but recently I find myself drinking a lot Revolution, Dovetail, Off Color, Cruz Blanca, Hop Butcher and Hopewell. But I don’t think there’s a brewery out there that if someone asked me to go I would say no.

Drinking tendencies: There’s always going to be seasonality. Like right now I’m drinking more barrel-aged stouts than usual, even though I’m a big advocate for Big Beer Summer and drinking high-ABV beers even when it’s hot outside. I also love this time of year for Czech dark lagers and other dark beers that are lower in ABV but full of flavor. I’m embarrassed to say how much of Dovetail‘s Czech dark lager I’ve bought this year. Year round though, I find myself searching for helles lagers, oatmeal stouts, pilsners, kolsches and West Coast IPAs.

Cruz Blanca’s Rey Cuvee, Goose Island’s two-year barleywine and Revolution’s VSO Dark Mode are three barrel-aged beers that I thought they absolutely nailed.

Recent beers that have caught your eye: I had a Schwarzbier from Half Acre that I thought was excellent. It was light and roasty at the same time — delicious. Obviously, I’ve had a lot of barrel-aged beer, and Cruz Blanca‘s Rey Cuvee, Goose Island‘s two-year barleywine and Revolution‘s VSO Dark Mode are three barrel-aged beers that I thought they absolutely nailed.

What are you looking forward to having on draft this winter: I’ll continue to drink some barrel-aged beer when I find it on draft. At some point, you get overwhelmed with all the releases, and honestly, they add up in cost so you can’t buy every single one… even though you want to. But going to the brewery or a tap takeover where you can get several five-ounce pours is the best way to try them all.

I’ve also been drinking a lot of dunkels lately. I had one from Dovetail and one from Riverlands that I thought were so well done. I really like that style as well, and it’s great to sip at the bar while it’s snowing outside.

The Beer Temple

Favorite beer bars in Illinois: With a new baby this year I haven’t been able to get out as much as usual, but when I do go out to a beer bar, you’ll find me at one of three places in Chicago usually: Beermiscuous, Bitter Pops or The Beer Temple.

Secret beer spot: I think a tap list that doesn’t get a lot of attention in the city is at a gastropub called Centennial. It’s been awhile since I’ve been there — I used to live pretty much down the street — but it was opened by a co-worker’s husband, so I’ve been going since they’ve been open and they always have a great tap list. They have a lot of local beer but also taps from around the country, especially Michigan. Their food is also insanely good, and they will have the right beer to pair with whichever entrée you get.

A tap list that doesn’t get a lot of attention in Chicago is at a gastropub called Centennial. … Their food is also insanely good, and they will have the right beer to pair with whichever entrée you get.

Best brewery you’ve hit on vacation: This is a tough one. The first that comes to mind is Maui Brewing Co. because it’s right by the airport. After being on that long flight, it’s great to go right to the brewery and sip beer knowing you’re in Hawaii. Their beer is very good, and don’t sleep on their food.

I also went to Treehouse Brewing Company before they had multiple locations, and it’s worth going to experience the waiting in line, ordering on a small slip of paper, and being lucky enough to be there on a day when they were doing draft pours. I think they still have the best hazy beers in the country.

Finally, one that isn’t a far drive from Chicago is New Glarus in Wisconsin. Drinking a Moon Man or Spotted Cow directly from the source was on my craft-beer bucket list. You can also get your fill of R&D beers, which is a big plus.

Treehouse Brewing Company

TagsBeer TempleBeermiscuousBitter PopsCentennial ChicagoCruz BlancaDovetail BreweryHalf Acre BreweryHop ButcherHopewell BrewingMaui Brewing Co.Mike ZollerNew GlarusOff Color BreweryPorch DrinkingRevolution BrewingRevolution VSO Dark ModeRiverlands BrewingTreehouse Brewing Company
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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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Illinois Brewing's magazine, website and email newsletter are property of Venture Forth Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023.

illinoisbrewing

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

From our big summer issue... Spotlight on @brother From our big summer issue...
Spotlight on @brotherchimpbrewing — This @worldbeercup gold medal winner in North Aurora boasts a diverse beer menu, welcoming gathering space, and no shortage of fun events

Read the feature here now at IllinoisBrewing.com
From the Inside Scoop section of our summer issue: From the Inside Scoop section of our summer issue: The long-awaited taproom for @lakeeffectbrewing is finally a reality in Chicago’s Logan Square, and the patio is a good one. Grab a copy of Illinois Brewing while you’re there, and a tasty Watermelon Wheat
The talented team at @phasethreebrew knocked one o The talented team at @phasethreebrew knocked one out of the park with this big, bold version of Tonal Range, an 8% Northeast Double IPA. Seen here enjoyed alongside the Led Zeppelin cover band Kashmir. 
#IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #Zeppelin
It’s official… Imagine us having to keep this It’s official…
Imagine us having to keep this little secret for most of the last year, especially when the second location will be walking distance from our house. Congrats Mike and the talented crew at @mikerphonebrewing … we can’t wait to be your first customer. Look for a Q&A about this fun expansion in the fall issue of Illinois Brewing
The Inside Scoop from our big summer issue: The @m The Inside Scoop from our big summer issue: The @maplewoodbrew new kitchen, Beer Night at the @pistolshrimpbaseball game July 10, @lakeeffectbrewing new long-awaited taproom, Streetz Artz Alliance @streetzmobeatz upcoming shows, the Tinley Park Ale Trail trolley, @stcalliance Brew Tour, @opmicrobrew festival and more

Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com
From our Brewer’s Choice section in new summer i From our Brewer’s Choice section in new summer issue: 

Q: What do you have coming up that people should know about?

@burningbushbrewery head brewer Scott McElhenie: We recently brewed Da Pope, an American mild ale, in honor of the new pope, Pope Leo XIV, who is a Chicago native. People immediately loved the name, but were surprised to realize how much they also enjoyed the beer. We workshopped Da Pope as a lighter-bodied option that still offers notes more commonly found in darker styles to give some variety over the summer. It makes me laugh a little every time somebody says, “It’s actually good!” as if we would make a beer that didn’t taste good just for a cheesy name.

Read the spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com
Instagram post 18399803860117341 Instagram post 18399803860117341
The Streetz Artz Alliance Summer Art Bazaar return The Streetz Artz Alliance Summer Art Bazaar returns to Tinley Park’s @flipsidebrewing this Sunday, July 6 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

The event with @streetzmobeatz will showcase 16 talented local artists in an intimate and vibrant setting inside the brewery’s taproom, perfectly paired with house-made smash burgers and fresh craft beer.

Shoppers can expect a wide and unique range of offerings — from handcrafted hot sauces, crocheted creatures, and original artwork to houseplants, tarot readings, skincare products, handmade jewelry, coffee, candles and even giant cookies.
Oh yes. The expansion continues. Oh yes. The expansion continues.
From our new summer issue... Brewer’s Choice: @b From our new summer issue...
Brewer’s Choice: @burningbushbrewery head brewer Scott McElhenie on @russianriverbrewingofficial living up to the hype, the @sturdyshelterbrewing sensational Paddlewheel porter, and naming a popular new beer after the Pope Leo XIV

“I just had a couple beers from Sturdy Shelter Brewing that really impressed me. … I have had a few porters in my life, but the Paddlewheel Porter was extraordinarily well crafted. The vanilla is well balanced with the darker malts so that you aren’t left with an overwhelming sweetness in the beer.”

Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com
If you haven’t tried the menu at @industryales i If you haven’t tried the menu at @industryales in downtown Chicago yet, prepare to be blown away. 

Be on the lookout for our Breweries in Bunches feature on the four Loop breweries in our new summer issue.
Well, we thought we were doing a decent job with t Well, we thought we were doing a decent job with the magazine, but it seems Illinois Brewing is so entertaining, it can even distract people from enjoying the likes of Malibu Beach and Joshua Tree National Park in California.
From @oldirvingbrewing burgers and the @uneannee c From @oldirvingbrewing burgers and the @uneannee cave monster sandwich to @crustbrewing fish tacos and @morebrewing Indian dishes, we asked readers and industry professionals: What’s the best meal you’ve had recently at an Illinois brewery?

Read the Last Call section now at IllinoisBrewing.com
Quick family vacation to Southern California and c Quick family vacation to Southern California and coming away impressed with the San Diego craft beer scene. Favorites so far include: @moderntimesbeer Orderville hazy IPA (winner so far), @latitude33brew Brewing’s blood orange IPA, @seekbeerco That Adds Up hazy IPA, @coronadobrewing Weekend Vibes IPA, @emboldenbeerco Industry blonde ale and @burgeonbeer Carlsbad Crush pale ale.
Read our spotlight on @suncatcherbrewing — who h Read our spotlight on @suncatcherbrewing — who happens to be hosting a Summer Solstice party today.

“Suncatcher is all about going back to the beers I was stoked and inspired by when I was first learning about beer as a younger person… and keeping that feeling going.” — Co-owner Matt Gallagher

Read the feature now at IllinoisBrewing.com
From the archives: Spotlight on @onelakebrewing — Located in a gorgeously renovated 1920s bank in Oak Park, this brewery from a pair of friends focuses on beer that’s true to the region it’s from and fostering a community vibe. And did we mention they have an awesome rooftop? 

“We try to brew beer that’s true to the region it came from. We bring in ingredients from all over the world and use them in their purest form. … We even adjust the water chemistry too, in order to mimic the environment of the local brewers.” — Shawn Stevens

Read the brewery spotlight at IllinoisBrewing.com
Double hazy IPA from @mikerphonebrewing on the pat Double hazy IPA from @mikerphonebrewing on the patio while playing a “candy Monopoly” my kid created on his own? 

Not a bad way to spend a summer evening.
Had a great time at the annual @illinoisbrewing go Had a great time at the annual @illinoisbrewing golf scramble earlier this week — with a tasty variety of beers from the likes of @hopbutcher @midwestcoastbrewing @blindcornerbeer @werkforcebrewing @reserveartisanales @alterbeer and more.

Also swung by for an interview with @brotherchimpbrewing for a feature in the summer issue. Now that’s a day.
Thanks to @maplewoodbrew for the invite earlier th Thanks to @maplewoodbrew for the invite earlier this week to get a sneak peek of their new kitchen and expanded taproom in Logan Square. Stellar smash burger, Pillowy Mellows NEIPA and In Dark Trees dark Czech lager. And a bottle of their finest bourbon to go. Look for more on Maplewood in the upcoming summer issue
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
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