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Home›Inside Scoop›Inside Scoop: Plenty of events like the College of Dupage “Business of Craft beer” seminar, Mikerphone’s Smells Like a Beer Fest, Oak Park Microbrew Review, Gurnee Legions of Craft Beer and Streetz Artz Alliance shows

Inside Scoop: Plenty of events like the College of Dupage “Business of Craft beer” seminar, Mikerphone’s Smells Like a Beer Fest, Oak Park Microbrew Review, Gurnee Legions of Craft Beer and Streetz Artz Alliance shows

By Trent Modglin
July 14, 2024
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The College of Dupage “Business of Craft beer” information seminar July 16

Join the College of DuPage and their popular Business of Craft Beer program at Pollyanna Brewing Company in Lemont for an exciting in-person event where you can learn all about the business side of craft beer. Whether you’re a seasoned brewer, just starting out or interested in learning more about working for a brewery, this session will cover key insights and tips to help you succeed in the craft beer industry. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to network with fellow beer enthusiasts and gain valuable knowledge to take your craft beer game to the next level.

Date: Tuesday, July 16 from 7-8 p.m.
Location: Pollyanna Brewing Company, 431 Talcott Avenue in Lemont, IL
More info: Cod.edu/craftbeer

Mikerphone Brewing’s Smells like a Beer Fest returns Aug. 3

You won’t want to miss Smells Like a Beer Fest 2024. Mikerphone Brewing has partnered with the village of Elk Grove to host this charity event on Saturday, Aug. 3 from noon-5 p.m. (VIP entrance at noon, general admission at 1 p.m.) Proceeds from the fest will benefit the Youth Committee Scholarship.

The annual event will feature more than 60 breweries, meaderies and distilleries offering up unlimited samples, as well as live music, food vendors, a dunk tank, Stern pinball machines, art vendors, a tattoo booth and more! Plus, making their debut will be Mikerphone’s 2024 barrel-aged Imperial Smells Like Bean Spirit variant beers. Food options include Biker Dude, Flyin’ Hawaiian, Private Sector Provisions and Tacos Las Manitas. Live music from Beer and Loathing and DJ Escrow. 

Date: Saturday, Aug. 3 from noon-5 p.m.
Location: Mikerphone Brewing, 121 Garlisch Dr. in Elk Grove Village, IL
Tickets: tinyurl.com/smellslikeabeerfest2024

The Oak Park Microbrew Review is Saturday, Aug. 17

Get ready for the annual Oak Park Microbrew Review, which will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024 in downtown Oak Park. This 17-year-strong beer festival features 70-plus breweries, offering a diverse range of more than 200 beers, ciders, seltzers and craft cocktails. Enjoy food from 10 local vendors, live music from 12 bands spanning three different stages, and explore local businesses. This event supports the environmental nonprofit Seven Generations Ahead, and it is the Midwest’s largest zero-waste craft beer fest. Visit SevenGenerationsAhead.org/opmbr for more information. Cheers to a day of craft brews and sustainable community support!

Date: Saturday, Aug. 17
Location: Downtown Oak Park
Tickets and more info: SevenGenerationsAhead.org/

Gurnee Legions of Craft Beer Fest —Sept. 14

The Gurnee American Legion Post 771 and the Friends of the Gurnee American Legion are excited to announce the return of the seventh annual Gurnee Legions of Craft Beer Festival. The group’s primary goal of this fest is to raise money for the Legion Post and various activities for local veterans and their families. The secondary goal is to showcase local breweries and present the great craft beer options Lake County and Northern Illinois have to offer. While there are many craft beer festivals in Illinois, what sets the Gurnee Legions of Craft Beer apart is that it directly benefits a veterans’ service organization. And you can’t beat that. 

Date: Saturday, Sept. 14
Time: Noon-4 p.m.
Location: Gurnee American Legion Post 771, 749 Milwaukee Ave., Gurnee, IL 60031
Tickets and more info: GurneeLegionsOfBeer.com

Streetz Artz Alliance upcoming shows

Each Street Artz Alliance market is free to attend, expertly curated and includes a variety of handmade artists to shop from while enjoying a craft beverage from the host brewery. For more information, join the Streetz Artz Alliance group on Facebook. 

July 14, 2024 — Flurry of Makers Market at Hailstorm Brewing in Tinley Park. Noon-5 p.m. Smash burgers will be served! Indoor and outdoor.

July 27, 2024 — Summerween Market at Soundgrowler Brewing in Tinley Park. Noon-5 p.m. If you’re a fan of tacos, you need to be here. Indoor and outdoor.

Aug. 10, 2024 — Join us for the first ever Summer Send Off Market at More Brewing in Villa Park from noon-5 p.m. We anticipate more than 30 local artists and makers in a perfectly curated mix setup in the parking lot along the side of the brewery and behind. 

Aug. 24, 2024 — Nik & Ivy Maker’s Market at Nik & Ivy Brewing in Lockport. Come celebrate this great brewery’s anniversary. Noon-5 p.m.  

Aug. 31, 2024 — Comics & Cosplay Market at Soundgrowler Brewing in Tinley Park. Noon-5 p.m. (subject to change). Come get your fill of tacos, comics and cosplay! Indoor and outdoor.

TagsGurnee American LegionGurnee Legions of Craft Beer FestivalHailstorm BrewingIllinois BrewingMikerphoneMore BrewingNik & IvySmells like a beer festSoundgrowler BrewingStreetz Artz AllianceSumerween Market
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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.

illinoisbrewing

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

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
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

Read the spotlight from our spring issue now at IllinoisBrewing.com
This is not an event to be missed from the @ilcraf This is not an event to be missed from the @ilcraftbeer Guild. Tomorrow, Friday, June 6 at @gallagherwaychi next to Wrigley Field. Not a bad backdrop, right?

30-plus Chicago breweries serving up some of their best stuff for just $30. Can’t beat it, and the weather looks awesome.
This Saturday, June 7 is the @keggrovebrewco annua This Saturday, June 7 is the @keggrovebrewco annual Summerfest + Pub Club Rotary’s BBQ Smoke Show 

Get ready for an unforgettable day of craft beer, mouthwatering BBQ and music. Summerfest includes plenty of live entertainment, food trucks, and craft beer from across Illinois. A portion of the proceeds will go toward providing supplies for local animal shelters, so every bite you take is for a great cause. Doors open at noon.

712 E. Empire Street in Bloomington. KegGroveBrewing.com
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