Forgottonia Brewing
324 N. Lafayette Street
Macomb, IL
ForgottoniaBrewing.com

Wednesday-Thursday: 4-9 p.m.
Friday: 4-11 p.m.
Saturday: 12-11 p.m.
Sunday: 2-6 p.m.

History in short: Forgottonia, which is coming up on its five-year anniversary, is named after a 16-county section of west central Illinois that, back in the 1960s and early 70s, staged a protest over a lack of state and federal investment in highways and other infrastructure, which eventually led to a type of satirical political secession movement. 

Head brewer and partner Sean West, who moved to Macomb from North Carolina 17 years ago when his partner got a teaching job at Western Illinois University, found something was missing in his adopted hometown. 

“It was the only area I’d lived in with no brewery, and it seemed strange to have a small college town with no brewery,” West tells us. “I started home brewing back in 1998. This wasn’t my dream necessarily, but once my partner made full professor, I knew we were setting up shop (in Macomb) and it was something I wanted to take a longer look at.”

The space: This is a naturally bright, clean and friendly brewery and taproom located directly across from the historic downtown area of Macomb and the Amtrak station. A long bar wraps around the brewing area, and there is ample seating spread throughout the main room. 

The patio and beer garden are plenty popular in the warmer months, but they do offer natural gas heaters outside for those looking to brave the elements while enjoying a brew. 

Interesting notes: Macomb happens to be the birthplace of Monopoly, so city officials are currently turning the whole town square into a Monopoly-themed destination that, while not an exact replica, is a pretty fun representation of the classic board game. 

The brewing team at Forgottonia also works with the agricultural department from Western Illinois University to utilize ginger and turmeric as cover crops during winter months in an effort to help local farmers. 

“I find it fascinating to learn all the new techniques and tricks, and as a result, we have a fairly eclectic draft board with a lot of local ingredients.”  — Sean West

What we’re eating and drinking: “I love the brewery that specializes in one thing, but I drink across the board, so it’s hard for me not to want to branch out,” West says. “I find it fascinating to learn all the new techniques and tricks, and as a result, we have a fairly eclectic draft board with a lot of local ingredients. We use tons of Midwest and Illinois hops in almost everything.”

West says he appreciates the recent lager resurgence, and always has a few IPAs on draft as well as a sour and a local ingredient or two — anything from popcorn or honey to Calhoun County peaches and even paw paws. 

The Prairie White IPA uses Midwest hops and local ginger, and Friends in Lomax places, a dark lager, has become a favorite. Also worth noting is their Beer for Good collaboration, which uses proceeds to help support a different nonprofit from the “Forgottonia” region every quarter.

While the brewery doesn’t serve food, they do offer snacks and food trucks as often as possible and encourage delivery from nearby restaurants. 

On the horizon: West brewed a couple of West Coast pilsners last year, and that style remains on his radar, as does a cold pale ale. “We’re looking for more hop flavor and fruit forward with some bitterness, but lighter and more clear in the glass,” he adds.

We’re not competing with other businesses, we’re competing with people’s phones and televisions. Our real goal is to make great beer and get people face to face with each other and hang out. That’s what we’re passionate about.”

Forgottonia continues to put a heavy emphasis on live music, Bingo, trivia and other events. A bring-your-own vinyl night happens on Wednesdays, when you get to play a side of your favorite record. “That’s my one night to be a customer and have fun,” West says with a chuckle. “It’s my time to remind myself why we’re putting in all the hard work. It’s a great weekly event.”

From the brewery: “I think like a lot of places, we’re trying to be that third space in the community — a place to meet with friends and family and get away from your screens for a minute. We’re not competing with other businesses, we’re competing with people’s phones and televisions. Our real goal is to make great beer and get people face to face with each other and hang out. That’s what we’re passionate about.” — Partner and head brewer Sean West