By Trent Modglin

Links Taproom & Brewery set to take over On Tour Brewing space in Chicago’s West Town this summer

Links Taproom, a popular craft beer and sausage bar that operated for six years in Chicago’s Wicker Park before closing amidst the Covid pandemic, is set to return this summer and reopen as Links Taproom & Brewery, taking over the On Tour Brewing space (1725 W. Hubbard Street) in Chicago’s red-hot West Town neighborhood.

Links owner Mike Quinlan remembers his love affair with craft beer starting years ago when his friend, who attended the University of Montana, would regularly bring back some unique beers from the West Coast that opened a new world of possibilities. Bert Grant’s Perfect Porter from Yakima Brewing was one, in particular, he recalls as a game changer, along with treks to the local Jewel to snag the Goose Island seasonal varieties as soon as they’d hit the shelves.

Quinlan, who had initial talks with On Tour owner Mark Legenzaas as far back as the summer of 2023, initially was interested in opening a kitchen inside of the brewery. But when Legenzaas mentioned last fall that he was ready to move on from the business, Quinlan jumped at the chance to fully revive the Links’ brand… and even add to it.

What to expect? A comfortable vibe, huge bar and patio for starters. An opening in July would be the best-case scenario, early fall being the worst case, depending on licensing, permits, etc.

It’s unbelievable the strength of the brand and the loyalty people have shown. … Making people happy with this announcement makes me feel good, knowing we’re about to create a special place again.” — Links Taproom & Brewery owner Mike Quinlan

Look for many of the same tasty items Links Taproom was known for to make their return, including loaded burgers, cheese curds, homemade dips and specialty sausages. And their famous “Buried Alive fries” with crumbled chorizo, giardiniera, cheese and green onion. Crispy lake perch with potato pancakes too. For beer, try a whopping 42 total draft lines of American craft beer, six of which will be from their own tanks. Specialty cocktails, Malört on tap and charity events as well.

And let’s not forget the streaming of Phish concerts, a staple of the old Links location. Quinlan’s last count is 265 shows attended and counting, after all.

“It’s unbelievable the strength of the brand and the loyalty people have shown,” Quinlan told us over beers recently. “It’s one of the things I’m most proud of. When we haven’t been open in five years, but we still have that core group of people wondering what we’re doing next. … Making people happy with this announcement makes me feel good, knowing we’re about to create a special place again.”

Links Taproom & Brewery will be located at 1725 W. Hubbard in Chicago. LinksTaproom.com

Pilot Project expands to Wrigleyville, adding third location

Lots of big swings happen inside Wrigley Field, and now another one is happening just outside, as Pilot Project Brewing expands to Wrigleyville this spring with an expected late April or early May opening date. This marks the brewing incubator and taproom’s third location, following a successful 10-barrel brewpub in Chicago’s Logan Square and massive 70,000 square-foot production facility and taproom in downtown Milwaukee.

The expansion to Wrigleyville marks the brewing incubator and taproom’s third location, following a successful 10-barrel brewpub in Chicago’s Logan Square and 70,000 square-foot production facility and taproom in Milwaukee.

Located just two blocks south of the stadium, patrons can expect a mix of craft beer (as many as two dozen options), cocktails and American street food to be complemented by a 3,500-square-foot patio, basement cocktail lounge and — try to contain your excitement, Cubs fans — eventually a rooftop deck.

3473 N. Clark. PilotProjectBrewing.com

Pollyanna Brewery in St. Charles

Experience the St. Charles Brew Tour

Nestled in along the Fox River in the far west suburbs, St. Charles is a thriving community of shops, restaurants, events and — yep, craft breweries. Home to six renowned breweries (Alter Brewing & Kitchen, Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling, 93 Octane Brewery, Riverlands Brewing Company, Broken Brix and D & G Brewing Company), St. Charles now offers a year-round, self-guided brew tour, making it easy to experience the charming taprooms and well-crafted beers at each one.

Bonus: Check in at all six breweries using the Travel St. Charles app to earn an exclusive St. Charles Brew Tour shirt. Get started today at StCalliance.org/brewtour

Illinois Craft Beer Week returns May 9-16; BUG has a new home May 9

Get excited, because Illinois Craft Beer Week is back May 9-16. That means a full week filled with a dynamic lineup of festivals, events and specials to engage craft beer enthusiasts throughout the state.

Beer Under Glass (BUG), the cornerstone event for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, will be kicking off the week in grand style on Friday, May 9, hosted this year under the towering glass of Chicago’s iconic skyline — on the acclaimed Millennium Park Harris Theater rooftop terrace.

This one-of-a-kind evening will feature beer samples from more than 100 Illinois craft breweries, most of whom will be available to chat and answer questions as they’re pouring beer. General admission and VIP tickets are on sale now.

Visit IllinoisBeer.com for more information.

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery adds new kitchen, expanded taproom

As if they’re award-winning beer and spirits weren’t enough, food is making a comeback at Maplewood Brewery & Distillery this spring with the unveiling of a brand-new kitchen and food menu featuring Eastern European and Polish comfort food alongside reimagined American and Chicago classics. In addition, Maplewood expanded its taproom this winter, and additional patio seating is happening as well. 2717 N. Maplewood in Chicago. MaplewoodBrew.com

Check out the new Drinking with Lincoln tour throughout south central Illinois

In 1915, the Illinois General Assembly directed the State Historical Library to mark the routes that Abraham Lincoln traveled from Kentucky and Indiana into Illinois. Copper-colored signs were placed along the trail in the 1950s to promote auto tourism in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.

Kendra Wright, owner of the historic Red Rooster Inn and Red Rooster Brew Werks and Distillery, along with her husband, John, remembered those signs when she started thinking about a drinking trail in south central Illinois. Thus, the Drinking with Lincoln trail was born.

The trail stretches from Hand of Fate Brewing in Petersburg (near the Lincoln site of New Salem) and runs through Springfield, Hillsboro and Vandalia. People can get a passport at any of the participating craft breweries or distilleries along the way. When finished, they can present the passport at the Red Rooster for the opportunity to buy an exclusive t-shirt. For more information, check out DrinkingWithLincoln.com

Red Rooster Brew Werks & Distillery