Illinois Brewing Insider Fred Sanchez on a love of Hubbard’s Cave barrel-aged offerings, Mikerphone’s orange-vanilla milkshake IPA and Mambo Italian pilsner, Haymarket’s Chicago Tavern Beer, the rotating selection and vibe at Harp & Fiddle and Beer on the Wall in Park Ridge, and taking a break from California wine country to hit up Firestone Walker

Fred Sanchez
Co-director of the Park Ridge Market After Dark festival

Favorite breweries: I really like the beers at Une Année/Hubbard’s Cave. I think they do such a nice job with their barrel-aged beers and some of the flavors, especially the peanut butter and s’mores, etc. It’s really hard to get it right with peanut butter stouts, but they nailed it. I’m not a huge sour guy, but they’ve turned me onto them. They make it fun with the different varieties.

I also really like going to Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village and snagging their CrushCrushCrush milkshake IPA that’s made with orange peel and vanilla. It’s refreshing and different. And they’re another one that does barrel-aged stouts so well.

And Haymarket Pub & Brewery when I’m working downtown because it’s easy to walk to and a great spot for a beer before hopping on the train home. Relief Peacher (IPA with fresh peach juice) was a fun one last summer I’m looking forward to having again.

Hop Butcher’s hazy IPAs are so good, and I’m a fan of Short Fuse Brewing and Pipeworks as well.

I like going to Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village and snagging their CrushCrushCrush milkshake IPA that’s made with orange peel and vanilla. It’s refreshing and different. And they’re another one that does barrel-aged stouts so well.

Drinking tendencies: It absolutely depends on the season. I’m hitting all the barrel-aged goodness when it’s cold out. I remember when you used to wait at Goose Island the day after Thanksgiving, but now there are so many great options out there. As it gets warmer, I tend to pivot away from the heavier beers and look for something crisp and lighter.

Recent beers that have caught your eye: The bourbon barrel-aged barleywine from Hop Butcher called Resplendence. It’s aged for three years in Old Rip Van Winkle barrels, and it was delicious. Werk Force Brewing Co. has Stupid Sticky Fingers, and Pollyanna Brewing’s Fun Size milk stout with peanut butter, chocolate and toasted marshmallow was pretty awesome.

I’m not a big sour guy, but Hailstorm Brewing’s key lime cheesecake sour called Forklift Training was outstanding. … Michelle and Katy at Eris Brewery & Cider House really pump out some tasty ciders too. Their Pepper Jam series is always fun.

What are you looking forward to enjoying on draft this spring/summer: Mambo Italiano is an easy-drinking Italian pilsner from Mikerphone that always hits the mark. Haymarket’s Chicago Tavern Beer too. So nice and easy to kick back and have several of both of those when it’s hot out. And the Hailstorm Brewing‘s key lime cheesecake sour called Forklift Training. I had it last year at Sausagefest at Haymarket, and I will be on the hunt for that. I’m not a big sour guy, but that was outstanding. Michelle and Katy at Eris Brewery & Cider House really pump out some tasty ciders too. Their Pepper Jam series is always fun.

Favorite beer bar: I like what they’ve been doing at Harp & Fiddle and Beer on the Wall in Park Ridge. They both do a great job with their ever-changing tap lists. You can find a lot of unique beers at both spots, and they’re super comfortable to hang out at.

Harp & Fiddle and Beer on the Wall in Park Ridge both do a great job with their ever-changing tap lists. You can find a lot of unique beers at both spots, and they’re super comfortable to hang out at.

Secret beer spot: The Booze Caboose in the Ogilvie train station in Chicago has a really good selection, and they change it up constantly, making it easy to grab yourself a solid craft beer to relax with on the train ride home. And now they have a full bar and some seating too, when before it was just a little stand out in the middle of the concourse.

Best brewery you’ve hit on vacation: We went out to Paso Robles, California and hit Firestone Walker Brewing Company. They have an impressive facility and such a cool taproom, and their barrel-aged program was outstanding. It was a nice respite from all the wine we’d been drinking on the trip.

Firestone Walker patio