By Trent Modglin

Mikerphone adding a Park Ridge location in early 2026

In case you hadn’t heard: Mikerphone is on its way home to NW suburban Park Ridge, where Mike Pallen started home brewing from his house back in 2010. He opened Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village in 2017, and in the eight years since, it’s steadily become one of the state’s most popular breweries, claiming five medals in the U.S. Open Beer Championship and three more at FoBAB, the prestigious Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers, along the way.

While participating in last summer’s Market After Dark event in Park Ridge, Pallen credits Alderman Fred Sanchez for introducing him to Mayor Marty Maloney and getting the ball rolling closer to home.

“We weren’t extensively looking around here at the time,” Pallen admits. “We had opportunities for expansion in other cities like Des Plaines, and we were focused on the Milwaukee suburbs for a while, but I believe everything happens for a reason, and things weren’t aligned like we wanted elsewhere quite like they were here.”

My house is two minutes from this location, and it all started 15 years ago with me brewing in my basement. So it felt serendipitous to come home like this.”  — Mike Pallen

Why you should be excited: Pallen is teaming up with Brennan’s Burgers, a pop-up owned by a Park Ridge couple who happens to get their supplies from Devon Avenue Meats, just two doors down from the new Mikerphone location (800 W. Devon Ave.). How’s that for a community focus?

Brennan’s Gourmet Burger Shack will offer a handful of specialty burgers, cheese curds, fries and grilled cheese, and root beer floats, a slushy machine and a few ice cream creations will be available as well.

As for drinks, the goal is an all-inclusive concept with signature cocktails, wine, seltzers and plenty of fresh beer. Expect 12 taps that offer a combination of Mikerphone’s flagship brews and plenty of rotating small-batch and seasonal options. Even two or three that will be exclusive to just the new Park Ridge taproom.

Brewery perspective: “My house is two minutes from this location, and it all started 15 years ago with me brewing in my basement. So it felt serendipitous to come home like this. … We were all prepared to defend our plan and blueprints in case people had concerns with a brewery moving in, but instead it’s been nothing but great energy and positivity. We are so excited about our second home and eager to bring what we do best to our hometown. Things definitely feel like they’ve come full circle.”

— Mike Pallen

Brother Chimp Brewing expands to St. Charles

In case you hadn’t heard: The old D&G Brewing space (303 N. 4th Street) in St. Charles now belongs to Brother Chimp Brewing, as Steve Newman is expanding his North Aurora operation into the thriving western suburb, home to a handful of other top-notch craft breweries like Riverlands Brewing, 93 Octane and Alter Brewing. The highly anticipated grand opening is this weekend, Oct. 17-19.

Why you should be excited: Despite launching his brewery the day before the Covid shutdown in 2020, Newman has steadily grown Brother Chimp into one of the more recognizable breweries in the west burbs, winning the gold medal at the 2024 World Beer Cup for its Vienna lager and recently being voted Best Microbrewery in Kane County in the Shaw Media Readers’ Choice Awards.

While it’s great to expand our distribution and get more cans out there, I’m still a big believer in the taproom experience and fresh draft beer.” — Steve Newman

The goal in St. Charles is to recreate the warm, inviting atmosphere they’ve built in North Aurora. They’ve worked hard to brighten up the old D&G space and will offer a 14-tap system with select cocktails, wines and seltzers. Food trucks and original live music will be the norm too.

Brewery perspective: “I think being able to bring our beer and our vibe to more people is the biggest thing, and the opportunity for a second taproom is what drives me. While it’s great to expand our distribution and get more cans out there, I’m still a big believer in the taproom experience and fresh draft beer.”

— Steve Newman

Black Lung Brewing opens Grayslake location

In case you hadn’t heard: In August, Black Lung Brewing took over the old Light the Lamp Brewery space in north suburban Grayslake (2 S. Lake Street). Black Lung will continue to operate its unique lakefront location in Fox Lake, but they will be closing the original Round Lake Beach spot when the lease is done in June. A farewell party “you won’t want to miss” will happen next spring.

Why you should be excited: All the brewing equipment is being moved over to Grayslake this fall, but with 20 draft lines to fill until then, expect some stellar guest beers from the likes of Pipeworks, Illuminated Brew Works and More Brewing Company for the time being.

Black Lung regulars will appreciate the familiarity with the new space, including a huge mural, pinball and video games. Also, Light the Lamp’s former sous chef, who Black Lung hired two years ago to man their Fox Lake kitchen, has reinvented the menu in Grayslake with upscale bar food like smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, cheese curds, Bavarian pretzels and salads.

Brewery perspective: “Two blocks away from this Grayslake location is where I started brewing in my garage, and my friends who were out walking their dogs would pop in and want to try what I was making. I started thinking about opening my own brewery while sitting right here at the end of the bar at Light the Lamp. … Everyone in Grayslake has always been so supportive, and I’m excited to bring my beer back to where it all started back in 2016.”

— Josh Grubbs

93 Octane Brewing takes over old Elmhurst Brewing location

In case you hadn’t heard: 93 Octane, the popular brewery from St. Charles, purchased the former Elmhurst Brewing space (171 N. Addison Ave.) this summer and, after an efficient five-week remodel, they opened to much fanfare in August. In anticipation of such an expansion, 93 Octane acquired a 6,000-square foot, 20-barrel brewing facility in Warrenville a year and a half ago.

The 93 Octane menu is something to behold — they get their meat from Harven Farms (think brisket, wagyu steaks and burgers), offer a Friday fish fry with fresh walleye, make their own sauces in house, and are open for weekend brunch.

Why you should be excited: Lots of reasons, actually. The remodel is sharp, with a new back bar, revamped seating and decor, and a brand-new 20-draft system. And the menu is something to behold — they get their meat from Harven Farms in Indiana (think brisket, wagyu steaks and burgers), offer a Friday fish fry with fresh walleye, make their own sauces in house, and are open for weekend brunch starting at 10 a.m. with fun items like Detroit-style breakfast pizzas and fried-to-order donuts.

Brewery perspective: “We had been looking for a second location for a taproom in a downtown location a little further east than St. Charles, where we could showcase our beers and food. We’re excited, and I think it’s going to be a real cool experience for us in this community. … The support has been great, and we’re 15 minutes away from Chicago, which is awesome to open up a whole new opportunity to serve new customers.”

— Mario Spina, owner and CEO

Other notable brewery expansion news…

The outstanding Analytical Brewing in Lexington, Illinois is opening a second location in Peoria soon, further adding to a suddenly nice collection of beer makers in the state’s eighth-largest city. Be on the lookout for a spotlight on the new location in our upcoming winter issue.

Also, Pilot Project Brewing, the successful brewing incubator in Chicago’s Logan Square — with a massive venue in Milwaukee as well — opened a beautiful new location in Wrigleyville late this summer in the old Hotel Zachary, about a block south of the Cubs’ historic home (3473 N. Clark), complete with a spacious patio and rooftop.