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Brewer's Choice
Home›Featured Post›Brewery Focus›Brewer's Choice›Brewer’s Choice: Illuminated Brew Works’ Brian Buckman on White Oak Brewing’s Casual Jesus saison, pushing the boundaries on unique marketing ideas, and what figures to be a wild anniversary party Sept. 21

Brewer’s Choice: Illuminated Brew Works’ Brian Buckman on White Oak Brewing’s Casual Jesus saison, pushing the boundaries on unique marketing ideas, and what figures to be a wild anniversary party Sept. 21

By Trent Modglin
September 16, 2024
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Brian Buckman
Illuminated Brew Works
6186 N. Northwest Hwy in Chicago
IBW-Chicago.com

The last really good beer you drank was… White Oak Brewing’s Casual Jesus saison. Light and refreshing with notes of lemon, banana, clove and some light black peppercorn on the back end. A Belgian-inspired rye saison that’s bold in its experimental stretch to flavor profile… right after my own heart.

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

Pipeworks Brewing’s Floor Quaker — a thiolized sour. I like my sours very tart, and this fits the bill. The thiolized yeast really punched up the fruit flavor on this one.

What are you most proud of at your brewery? 

We continue to push the boundaries on packaging and marketing. I’ve always had a strong aversion to dumb beer names/concepts that plumb misogyny or jokes that would make a 12-year-old blush and a 16-year-old roll their eyes. And there’s a lot of those.

Instead, we try to push people with concepts and Easter eggs that, if they are interested, they’ll need to go out and dig around into some fairly charged information to find. And, the hope is there, that maybe they’ll fall into something that truly blows their mind and changes their world view. Or, maybe, something that makes them laugh.

I’ve always had a strong aversion to dumb beer names/concepts that plumb misogyny or jokes that would make a 12-year-old blush and a 16-year-old roll their eyes.

For example, for the second year in a row, we did our collaboration with the Weird Studies podcast. Weird Studies is a great little podcast produced and hosted by a professor of Musicology out of Indiana University and a documentary filmmaker out of Ottawa. They talk about all the things that I love: weird fiction, film, the occult, consciousness, UFOs, etc. We make a black IPA with them with Comet and Zappa hops that is pretty good.

I did the four illustrations that are on the cans. Each 4-pack comes with one of each of the four different labels. They are made to look like the old Weird Tales magazines from the early/mid 20th Century. There’s a Cthulu one, a UFO one, and there’s one with two guys monkeying with some kind of machine that most certainly will alter the future for all of us, and then one of three good-for-nothing kids poking an alien corpse with a stick.

We also have a beer dropping next week that has a quote from Comparative Religion scholar extraordinaire, Jeffrey Kripal. It’s a mind-bending quote from an even more mind-bending book he co-authored with Whitely Strieber. The beer is called “Your Soul, A UFO”.

We’ve got a collaboration bock beer with the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick out of Cleveland. … We’re doing the release at our three-year anniversary party September 21. We’ve got a ton of vendors, live music, some tarot readers and some big ass puppets. Oh… and a dunk tank!”

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

We’ve got a collaboration bock beer with the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick out of Cleveland. The museum is a collection of Raymond Buckland’s (a fairly prominent and important player in mid-20th Century witchy circles) ritual gear and odds and ends, plus a whole ton of other stuff including a wand of Aleister Crowley’s, items from modern-day occultists and a killer Ouija Board collection. 🙂 They currently have an exhibit on a personal interest of mine, Radionics.

We’re doing the release at our three-year anniversary party on Saturday, September 21. We’ve got a ton of vendors (Sideshow Gallery, Bucket O Blood, Alchemy Arts, etc.), live music, some tarot readers and some big ass puppets. Oh… and a dunk tank! Steven Intermill and Toni Rotonda will be giving a 30-minute talk on the museum later in the afternoon, and then at night we’ve got three pretty great metal bands playing: Druuna, COMA and Become Death. It’s going to be epic. We might even do an impromptu procession to celebrate, led, of course, by the big puppets!

TagsAlchemy ArtsBecome DeathBrian BuckmanBucket O BloodBuckland Museum of Witchcraft & MagickCasual JesusCOMADruunaIllinois BrewingIlluminated Brew WorksJeffrey KripalPipeworks BrewingRaymond BucklandSideshow GalleryWeird Studies podcastWhite Oak Brewing
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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
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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

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
One of the nearly 400 locations across the state y One of the nearly 400 locations across the state you can grab a copy of Illinois Brewing is @hopdistrictbrewing in west suburban La Grange Park. Friendly staff, versatile space, community focused, great beer (try the 2 Week Vacation hazy IPA) and an underrated patio out back. 
#IllinoisBrewing #craftbeer #DrinkIllinois
With a nice variety of small-batch beer, a popular With a nice variety of small-batch beer, a popular communal patio, family vibes, and Megan Welch’s desire to keep her late husband’s dream alive, @macushlabeer is quite the destination in north suburban Glenview

Read the spotlight from the spring issue at illinoisbrewing.com
Want to see your name in print in breweries, festi Want to see your name in print in breweries, festivals and bottle shops across the state this summer? Our LAST CALL section for the upcoming summer issue is asking craft beer enthusiasts the following question: 

*** What is the most underrated spot for enjoying a cold beer outdoors this summer? 

Remember, we like details, so please don’t just answer “Brewery X’s patio.” Tell our readers why you like it and give a few reasons. And feel free to share if you have friends who know of a few alluring patios, beer gardens or festivals. Thanks in advance, and cheers!!
Afternoons like this were made for craft beer and Afternoons like this were made for craft beer and patios like @hairycowbrewing in Byron. Creative woodfires pizzas and views of the Rock River included.
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.

* 30+ Chicago craft breweries
* Live DJ
* Food trucks & local eats
* 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
Finally was able to stop by the @mastheadbrewing t Finally was able to stop by the @mastheadbrewing taproom in Cleveland last weekend. Especially enjoyed the In the Shadow of a Colossus barleywine, Estate Grown IPA and Zungenbrecher doppelbock. Very cool space, knowledgable staff and good vibes
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.
#IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer #illinoisbeer #beerfest
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
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