Hop District Community Brewing Co.

Jim Koblish
Owner/head brewer
Hop District Community Brewing Co.
La Grange Park, IL
HopDistrictBrewing.com

Favorite breweries: I’ve always liked Maplewood Brewery because I can always find their beer in a lot of places, and it’s always consistent and high quality. Big fan of Skeleton Key Brewery and Bubblehouse Brewing Company too. The people there make the experience… even more than what you’re drinking.

Drinking tendencies: I am a very seasonal drinker, as a lot of people are. Definitely a German pilsner is a go-to style, but in the winter time, it’s more oatmeal stouts and brown ales. In the summer time, more sours and lighter lagers.

Maplewood Brewing Company in Chicago and Glen Ellyn

Recent beers that have caught your eye: I’ve been on a German pilsner kick lately, so I would say Kayak from Riverlands Brewing in St. Charles and Gravitace (a golden-colored lager brewed with Czech pilsner malt) from Art History Brewing in Geneva have such a clean character and crisp finish. I like a German pils that has more of a floral note on the nose rather than a spicy, earthy kick to it, and both of them do. They have a sweet breadiness to them that I really like.

I’ve been on a German pilsner kick lately, and Kayak from Riverlands Brewing in St. Charles and Gravitace (a golden-colored lager brewed with Czech pilsner malt) from Art History Brewing in Geneva have such a clean character and crisp finish.

What are you looking forward to enjoying on draft this spring/summer: Our Strawberry Your Enemies at Hop District, which is a strawberry gose we make every year toward the start of summer. It’s bright pink in color, we use real strawberry purée, and it’s available only on draft. The balance between the lemon-lime acidity and the sweet strawberry hits just right. The finish is very quenching from the pink Himalayan salt. If you went and chugged a strawberry Gatorade on the hottest summer day, that’s what it’s like. It’s just awesome. But if I’m out for a dinner on the patio somewhere, my simple guilty pleasure is just crushing Modelos.

Orange & Brew in Downers Grove

Favorite beer bar: Orange & Brew, the bottle shop and taproom in Downers Grove, is easy to get to because it’s right by the train stop, and the selection is always superb. The bartenders are chill, and it’s an easy-going place. I feel like I’m always in a room full of friends, where complete strangers are striking up conversations.

The Little Owl Social Club is one of those places that just feels like a city bar. There’s always a solid beer selection that’s rotating constantly and super locally focused. And they just happen to have the best fried chicken sandwich anywhere.

Best brewery you’ve hit on vacation: Point Ybel Brewing Company in Fort Myers has always been a favorite with good beers and a great atmosphere. It has this small, cozy, chill vibe that just feels like Florida. It’s one of the first places my wife and I started hanging out back in the day, too. Fort Myers Brewing Company is solid as well.

Secret beer spot: I’ll go with the Little Owl Social Pub in Brookfield. It’s a tiny little spot over by the train station in Brookfield. It’s one of those places that just feels like a city bar. There’s always a solid beer selection that’s rotating constantly and super locally focused. And they just happen to have the best fried chicken sandwich anywhere. It’s called The Truman Show, and it’s covered in maple syrup, bacon and a fried egg.

Little Owl Social Club