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Brewer's Choice
Home›Featured Post›Brewery Focus›Brewer's Choice›Brewer’s Choice: Old Irving Brewing’s Trevor Rose-Hamblin on discovering Pipeworks’ dortmunder, growing his own lager series, and a delightful cocktail-inspired sour from MORE Brewing

Brewer’s Choice: Old Irving Brewing’s Trevor Rose-Hamblin on discovering Pipeworks’ dortmunder, growing his own lager series, and a delightful cocktail-inspired sour from MORE Brewing

By Trent Modglin
June 27, 2023
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Trevor Rose-Hamblin
Director of brewing operations/co-founder at Old Irving Brewing Co.
4419 W. Montrose Ave. in Chicago, IL
OldIrvingBrewing.com

The last really good beer I drank was… in a non-traditional drinking establishment. Pipeworks Brewing was kind enough to allow me to wash kegs for a few hours since our keg washer was down. They have a small walk-in cooler where they will store rejects from the canning line, and other assortments of beer for the brewers. After a couple of hours of keg cleaning, I developed a mighty thirst, so I ventured into their beer cave and found that Pipeworks makes a dortmunder!

Due to the nature of the day’s work, this dortmunder hit all of the notes — from the cracker-like taste of the malt to the clean and refreshing noble hop bite at the end. It was the kind of beer that, just as you get to know one sip, you are already diving back in for another, larger pull. Stylistically, it was perfect, and I was so sad that I didn’t know it existed until that very moment. I will be seeking it out again.

What fellow Illinois breweries and specific beers have impressed you lately?

The one thing that has really impressed me with many Illinois breweries is their absolute grasp and adoration for classic styles. Especially at the breweries who are known for their hazy IPAs, barrel-aged stouts and massively fruited sours. MORE, Maplewood, Phase Three, Pipeworks, Mikerphone, Alarmist and Noon Whistle are just a few examples of breweries that, on top of their aforementioned strengths, are also putting out beautiful representations of European lagers, traditional seasonal ales, rauchbier and even ESBs and milds. I have had transcendent lager experiences at each of those breweries. A couple have even invested in horizontal lager tanks to keep with traditional lager brewing practices.

There is one beer that is not so traditional that broke my brain this year, though. It’s a rum barrel-aged, Zombie cocktail-inspired sour from David Ziebell at MORE Brewing. Its name is Lucky Bamboo, made with pineapple, passionfruit, lemon, lime and bitters. It was named after a Chinese restaurant from his youth that used to serve up the boozy Zombie tiki cocktail. He nailed the cocktail flavor, acidity, and even got the rum flavor perfectly represented. It was so well done, and you could tell he spent a lot of time dialing in those flavors to make sure it was just right. 

I have a massively talented group of truly down-to-earth, good people working with me at Old Irving these days. Their dedication to their craft knows no bounds.

What are you most proud of at Old Irving?

First, and foremost, my team. From the restaurant side to brewing, packaging, marketing and sales, my team is firing on all cylinders. I have a massively talented group of truly down-to-earth, good people working with me these days. Their dedication to their craft knows no bounds, and I couldn’t be more proud to work with them day in and day out.

Beer-wise, we are always looking to improve on our current beer lineups. We are extremely proud of our core brands like Beezer, Della, Scentinel and our new hoppy lager entry (to be re-named soon.) We put a lot of time and energy into our lager series: Sonne helles, Til Death pilsner, Oktoberfest, Lifesblood dark bock, Ursa Major Baltic porter and Goat Destroyer Maibock. These brands continue to be the ones we really fawn over. We are also expanding our barrel-aged program and are excited to show some new techniques in the next couple of years.

What do you have happening now and coming up that people should know about?

Released in July is our Cushy Island (sour ale) and Til Death pilsner, and we also have Migration (barrel-aged stout conditioned on coconut, cocoa nibs and vanilla — a collaboration with Phase Three Brewing) and Mechophant (barrel-aged barleywine collaboration with MORE Brewing).

Still out now is Sonne, our helles lager, which is a favorite of the brewers, as well as our Goat Destroyer Maibock and the Triple Beezer hazy triple IPA. Most importantly, our new production facility is under construction in the West Loop and should be in full operation in just a few short months!

TagsAlarmistBeezercraft beerDavid ZiebellDelladortmunderGoat Destroyer. MechophantIllinois breweriesIllinois BrewingIllinois craft beerLifesblood dark bockMaplewoodMikerphoneMore BrewingNoon WhistleOktoberfestOld Irving BrewingPhase ThreePipeworksScentinelSonne helles lagerTill Death pilsnerTrevor Rose-HamblinTriple BeezerUrsa Major Baltic porter
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About us

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
[email protected]

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

One of the nearly 400 locations around the state t One of the nearly 400 locations around the state that you can find a copy of Illinois Brewing is @alterbeer.obc 
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.
One of the nearly 400 locations around the state t One of the nearly 400 locations around the state that you can find a stack of Illinois Brewing is @noonwhistlebrewing in west suburban Lombard. Check out their Gummy series of hazy IPAs, solid daily specials, crispy pizzas and Pause sparkling water with THC
Inside Scoop: Upcoming events like the @streetzmob Inside Scoop: Upcoming events like the @streetzmobeatz artisan market at @tightheadbrew May 18, the @willcountybeerandbourbonfest May 31, Mayfestiversary with @begylebrewing and @dovetailbrewery May 24-25, @keggrovebrewco BBQ Smoke Show June 7 and more 

Read it all now at Illinoisbrewing.com
Illinois Brewing's Beer of the week: Lil’ Bison Illinois Brewing's Beer of the week: Lil’ Bison hefeweizen from @sturdyshelterbrewing in west suburban Batavia

Just in time for spring, this German classic is brewed with a Bavarian hefeweizen yeast and is bursting with that traditional banana/clove flavor. Links & Drinks is still happening throughout the western burbs too, so bring your putting stroke.
Our spring issue cover story — Read it now at Il Our spring issue cover story — Read it now at IllinoisBrewing.com

Brewery bites: Great craft beer is everywhere in Illinois, but here are a few dishes we’ve encountered at spots like @openoutcrybrewing @crustbrewing and @destihlbrewery @destihlrestaurant that are sure to get your stomach growling as well
Enjoying a trek around Lake Geneva today with my d Enjoying a trek around Lake Geneva today with my dad and cousin that included a burger and @newglarusbrewing Moon Man at Chuck’s and tasty Wisconsin craft beers at the one and only @owltavern from the likes of @topsyturvybrewery @lakefrontbrewery @duesterbecksbrewingco and @lowdailybeer
So glad the crispy chicken paillard we had on spec So glad the crispy chicken paillard we had on special at @mickey_finns recently made its way onto their regular menu in Libertyville. Such a great spot for dinner, catching the game or kicking back on the patio.
#IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer
A total of 94 craft breweries were pouring at the A total of 94 craft breweries were pouring at the annual #BeerUnderGlass festival from the @ilcraftbeer Guild last night, and believe me, we tried to hit them all. The rooftop terrace of the @harristheaterchicago in @millennium_park proved to be an ideal new location. What a way to kick off Illinois Craft Beer Week. #IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer #illinoisbeer #ilcraftbeerweek
Mark Duchow and Jim Riggs from @adamsstreetbrewery Mark Duchow and Jim Riggs from @adamsstreetbrewery inside the iconic @berghoffchicago just won another medal at the @worldbeercup (a silver for their Der Reisende in the Export Stout category), so it’s safe to say they know what they’re talking about when it comes to favorite local beers that stay true to a style. 

Check out our Brewer’s Choice Q&A from the spring issue where they share a fondness for @offcolorbrewing @doubleclutchbrewery @dovetailbrewery @alarmistbrewing and others, and catch them — along with 80 other Illinois breweries, at the Beer Under Glass festival from @ilcraftbeer this Friday in Chicago. 

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com
The @ilcraftbeer Beer Under Glass festival is sold The @ilcraftbeer Beer Under Glass festival is sold out, y’all. And that begs the question: Which brewery are you looking forward to visiting most this Friday? 

Share your thoughts below and let’s get a discussion going. #IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer
We had to head home from the @brewersassoc annual We had to head home from the @brewersassoc annual Craft Brewers Conference in Indy last week before the winners for the @worldbeercup were announced, but man, what a haul for Illinois. 

Congrats to the following breweries for bringing home a medal from one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world: 
@9thhourbrewing 
@adamsstreetbrewery 
@brothership_brewing 
@gobrewing 
@haymarketbeer 
@revbrewchicago 
@werkforcebrewing 
@whiteoakbrewing
Two of the nearly 400 locations across the state w Two of the nearly 400 locations across the state where you can find our spring issue are a pair of fun spots in Lake County — @blacklung_roundlakebeach and @harborbrewingco in Lake Villa. Keep an eye out for Black Lung’s new location in Grayslake late this summer, and the @hbclakefrontbiergarten is now open for the season at Winthrop Harbor on Lake Michigan

#IllinoisBrewing #craftbeer #visitlakecounty #DrinkIllinois #illinoisbeer
Spotlight on @engrainedbrewery — With an emphasi Spotlight on @engrainedbrewery — With an emphasis on utilizing local produce and livestock, as well as reducing our environmental footprint, this Springfield brewery boasts an “upscale casual” space, farm-to-table menu and wide-ranging beer selection

Read it all now at illinoisbrewing.com
The versatile and spacious @guggmanhausbrewing was The versatile and spacious @guggmanhausbrewing was definitely one of our favorite stops during the @brewersassoc annual Craft Brewers Conference this week in Indianapolis

#craftbeer #brewing #IllinoisBrewing #indianabeer #cbc2025
Promoting the magazine and spending a few days wit Promoting the magazine and spending a few days with good friends from @uniontownbrewingco at the annual @brewersassoc CBC, which draws the finest craft beer industry folks from around the country. Enjoyed events at Indy’s @taxmanbrewing @handlebarhangar and @saintjosephbrewery 

The future is bright for beer.
Illinois Brewing’s Beer of the Week: Holey Jeans Illinois Brewing’s Beer of the Week: Holey Jeans from @keggrovebrewco @keggrovemorris 

This crisp, easy-drinking blueberry American wheat ale is the flagship beer from the popular Keg Grove in Bloomington (now with a second location in Morris, IL). Owner Jeff Mroz and his crew originally brewed Holey Jeans for their wives, many of whom didn’t drink beer before, and it ended up spawning an entire fruited wheat series for the brewery. 

Fun fact: It’s named for a friend of theirs who purchased jeans with holes already in them, which they found hilarious.
For you whiskey/bourbon drinkers out there, may we For you whiskey/bourbon drinkers out there, may we highly suggest getting your hands on the @whiskeyacres cask-finished series that involves bourbon and rye aged a minimum of four years and then finished in maple syrup casks (among others). 

You’ll also find their barrels in use by a lot of quality Illinois breweries like @riverlandsbrewingcompany @pollyannabrewingcompany and @ikeandoakbrewing 

#IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer #illinoisbeer #bourbon #DeKalb
Kudos to @crustbrewing in Rosemont for their new v Kudos to @crustbrewing in Rosemont for their new venture, Crust Taproom, located at 3000 W. Irving Park on Chicago’s NW side. Great pizza, great vibes and ohhh… that Vienna lager
Rock solid craft brewery lineup this weekend for t Rock solid craft brewery lineup this weekend for the ninth annual @enjoylonggrove Craft Beer Festival. Live music, food vendors and some of the state’s finest craft beer on hand.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/long-grove-craft-beer-fest-tickets-1141146884049?aff=oddtdtcreator
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