Prairie Street Brewing in Rockford, IL 

Todd McLester
Owner, Hairy Cow Brewing Company in Byron, IL 

Favorite breweries: Northern Illinois has a lot of good breweries that are worth a drive. One of my favorites is Prairie Street Brewing in Rockford. I’m a bit biased because we’ve known the brewers and owners for years, and they really helped us when we decided to build Hairy Cow. I used to haul away their spent grain to feed my animals. I mentioned to head brewer Steve Lenox one day that I was thinking about building a brewery in Byron. Immediately, Steve asked me if I needed a consultant, and he meant free. We are in year six at Hairy Cow Brewing, and the Prairie Street guys — Reed Sjostrom, Steve, Dave and Skippy, are still there for us. They also have an amazing space. The building is old, renovated and beautiful. And, like HCB, it’s right on the Rock River. Their beer and food are great too.

We are in year six at Hairy Cow Brewing, and the Prairie Street Brewing guys are still there for us. They also have an amazing space. The building is old, renovated and beautiful right on the Rock River. Their beer and food are great too.

Drinking tendencies: I like to sample and am a big fan of flights. It can be a flight of four or 10 and I’m in. I really can’t remember the last time I sat and drank a full pint of beer. Even at HCB, I will grab a 10-ounce tulip glass, add a few ounces of something, then go back to the taps and try something else. I enjoy variety and love to see what other breweries are serving — from pilsners and cream ales to imperial stouts, although recently I have gravitated toward lagers that are light and crispy.

Recent beers that have caught your eye: Mexican lagers. Our Hairy Cow Brewing team, Jon Lambert and Alex Ortiz, first brewed a Mexican lager (called Mr. M.) last year that is fantastic, so I have been on a kick to try that style wherever we travel. The folks at Lena Brewing also have Malibrew coconut porter on tap I would like to try. That’s a style that is tough to get just right, without the coconut tasting artificial or overpowering, and I’ve heard good things about Lena’s. 

What are you looking forward to enjoying on draft this fall: Autumn is the season for Marzens, and I’m all for it. The whole season is fun because brewers everywhere spend months preparing their special Oktoberfest offering, tweaking recipes, brewing and counting the days, and most know exactly which day that beer will be released. I think it’s pretty cool and something to look forward to each year. Plus, it’s an excuse (as if we need one) to visit other breweries. I noticed that Kishwaukee Brewing Company in Woodstock has a Marzen on year round now, and Loro Lima Mexican lager is on their tap lineup, so a road trip is in order.

I noticed that Kishwaukee Brewing Company in Woodstock has a Marzen on year round now, and Loro Lima Mexican lager is on their tap lineup, so a road trip is in order.

Tavern. on Clark in Rockford

Favorite beer bar in Illinois: When it’s refreshments we’re after, we usually head to Tavern on Clark in Rockford for great food and drinks and a supper club vibe. Also on the list in Rockford are Benny’s Bar & Lounge at Franchesco’s and Alchemy at Aldeen. Both have good food and cocktails, a necessity because my fiancée is not a beer drinker. Yes, she hooked up with me, a brewery owner, years ago and will not even sample beer.

Best brewery you’ve hit on vacation: This is a tough one because I have been traveling a lot and there are a lot of great breweries that are special for different reasons. Some are in a beautiful location, some have a cool vibe, some are unique spaces, and some just have great beer and food. Dos Sirenos Brewing in San Antonio has good beer and food. Kuenstler Brewing, also in San Antonio, has delicious German food, which is something you don’t find in many breweries. 

Map Brewing in Bozeman, Montana is one of my favorites because it checks several boxes — the space has a nice vibe, the food and beer are good, and it is in a beautiful, scenic spot.

Western Montana also has some excellent breweries. Map Brewing in Bozeman is one of my favorites because it checks several boxes — the space has a nice vibe, the food and beer are good, and it is in a beautiful, scenic spot. South Dakota, where I spend a lot of time, is also home to some outstanding beer makers. In the Rapid City area, you have Lost Cabin Beer Co., Cohort Craft Brewery, Zymurcracy Beer Company, Hay Camp Brewing and others.

A bit farther west are Sturgis Brewing, Sawyer Brewing Co. and Spearfish Brewing in Spearfish, South Dakota.  I guess that didn’t really answer the question, but I will add this: My favorite brewery outside of Illinois will be Hairy Cow Brewing Company in Box Elder, S.D., coming spring of 2025!

Secret beer spot: Sitting by a firepit at home or by the camper. I pick up beer on my travels (just to support other breweries, of course) and thoroughly enjoy sampling a few while lounging and enjoying the outdoors. A quiet evening by the campfire with good beer, my dog, and some good company. That is living.

Map Brewing Co. in Bozeman, Montana