From our big fall issue: What was your favorite beer experience of the summer? 

“The Great Taste of the Midwest festival in August. It was the best weather we’ve had in 10-plus years up there. There’s just so much great beer in the Midwest to celebrate, and it has a somewhat local feel to it. The caliber of breweries that show up — and what they bring — is fantastic. So well run too. That had to be the highlight for sure.

— Jason Martens, head brewer at Mickey Finn’s Brewery 

“Will County Brewing Company is a fantastic stop to enjoy a craft beer. The staff is great, and the selection covers all your tastes. Whenever there, you must have at least one Bamm-Bamm loves Pebbles. It still gets me every time how much it tastes like Fruity Pebbles cereal.”

— Jerry Emmert, Zorn Compressor & Equipment

There’s just so much great beer in the Midwest to celebrate, and the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison has a somewhat local feel to it. The caliber of breweries that show up — and what they bring — is fantastic.”

“I would say the Great Taste of the Midwest or the Oak Park Microbrew Review. Both great festivals. It’s nice to have the Great Taste so close in Madison, Wisconsin, as it’s a nice showcase of all the great beer being made around the Midwest. Everyone is on their A game there, bringing limited releases and casks and top-flight stuff, which adds to the fun.

— Chris Hopkins, Lunar Brewing

“My son’s first legal beer at 21 was this summer, and he asked to go to Crystal Lake Brewing. He had a flight of like 10 beers, and it was great to see him appreciate craft beer. CLB has done a great job outside with their space, and I feel like Norm from Cheers when I walk in there. It’s always very welcoming”

— Jim M.

“With our son turning 21 in June, he started drinking the Bufflehead brown ale at Kishwaukee Brewing. And now he drinks most of our brown ales at home. At least he appreciates good beer — instead of Busch Light. And as a beer connoisseur, I appreciate when some of the younger kids can venture out and drink some of the better beer that’s out there.”

— Nikole B.

“I was in grad school in Chicago this summer, and so it was to fun break away from what I was used to and find a few new places to call home — like Other Half Brewing in the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport and Marz Brewing. I knew of Marz already, but their lagers — I just knew they would be quality and I knew I would love them. Marzujsko, their Croatian-style lager, was my go-to there.”

— Spencer Kibbler, bartender at Kishwaukee Brewing

“Printer’s Row Brewing, located in Chicago’s Jefferson Park, has the best block parties, and I attended their anniversary party in June. They released a double IPA to commemorate the occasion, and they also had their outstanding Bookbinder blonde ale available. They had activities for kids and a local restaurant selling tacos. A great day supporting local on the northwest side of Chicago!”

— Jessica Anne Murphy

Spiteful Brewing Company in Chicago

“My wife and I stopped at Spiteful Brewing in the Andersonville neighborhood on Chicago’s north side. It is a really nice space (indoor and outdoor) that is cozied into a neighborhood and brews outstanding beers. I especially enjoyed their lagers and pilsner.”

— Frank Melch, senior sales manager at Zorn Compressor & Equipment

My friends and I explored five breweries in Bloomington-Normal on a Saturday in July as part of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s passport program. We got to enjoy some old favorites, and try some new brews.”

“My friends and I explored five breweries in Bloomington-Normal (Lil Beaver, Destihl, Keg Grove, White Oak Brewing and Casper Brewing Company) on a Saturday in July as part of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s passport program. We got to enjoy some old favorites, and try some new brews.”

— Stephanie Swieca 

“I was able to take a day trip up to Portland, Maine and visit a small sample of the craft breweries there. The variety of outstanding IPAs at Bissell Brothers and Belleflower Brewing topped my list. The outdoor space at Rising Tide Brewing with tents, tables and outdoor games was a big hit for the family as well.”

— Ben Ault

Riverlands Brewing Company in St. Charles

“My favorite beer experience this summer had to have been the brewery crawl in the west suburbs for my husband’s 50th birthday in August. We started at Art History Brewing for flights, stopped in for a drink at Sturdy Shelter, met up with friends at Riverlands Brewing Company (Jeremy was awesome and saved us the pavilion for our big group!), then ended our night at Alter Brewing. It was a perfect summer night with friends and some amazing  beer!”

— Tina Overton

“It was a fantastic year for the Grayslake Craft Beer Festival. Probably the best year ever for variety and quality. I was really surprised how many awesome meaderies came out including Pips and Standard. Weather held up, and entertainment was great too.”

— Nader Kardoush, owner of The Beer Bazaar

I really enjoyed Friday Night Flights at Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville this year. The atmosphere was welcoming and chill, and they had such a great brewery selection. The views and location didn’t hurt either!”
— Romeo & Brewliet

“This is tough because we’ve done so many cool events this year. My favorite had to be when Brewliet and I guested on the Drunk with Buds podcast and Warrior Wrestling live at Revolution Brewing, and then attended the Trouble is Brewing event a few weeks later. I’d never seen a wrestling event live before, but I was definitely into it! Revolution knows how to put on a show.”

— Romeo, of the Romeo & Brewliet team on Instagram

“I really enjoyed Friday Night Flights at Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville this year. The atmosphere was welcoming and chill, and they had such a great brewery selection. The views and location didn’t hurt either! You’ll catch us there again next year for sure.”

— Brewliet, of the Romeo & Brewliet team on Instagram