Bhavik Modi
Co-founder of Azadi Brewing Company
Brewing out of Pilot Project in Chicago, IL 

The last really good beer I drank was…

I just enjoyed the Czech-style pilsner from Dovetail Brewery recently with friends. I’ve traveled quite a bit to Europe, and this reminded me of some of the classic beers I had throughout Bavaria and Austria on a recent trip. I love how the Czech Saaz hops come through — crisp and easy drinking — and I definitely enjoyed a few more than one with dinner.

What fellow Illinois breweries and specific beers have impressed you lately? 

I am a huge fan of thoughtful design, and I love the Off Color Brewing brand on shelves. From the can design to the naming (Beer For…), it really stands out and makes an impression. To dodge rush-hour traffic coming from downtown, I visited their taproom called The Mousetrap and loved Eat Prey Mango. I’m always exploring new beers in the United States and India featuring mango, as it is India’s favorite fruit. I loved the additions of mango, passionfruit and pear in this farmhouse ale that made the presence of fruit apparent with a smooth finish. A new summer favorite for me. The taproom has a great indoor space, friendly staff and a wonderful outdoor seating environment that is perfect in advance of an improv show at the iO Theater or other venues nearby.

I am a huge fan of thoughtful design, and I love the Off Color Brewing brand on shelves. From the can design to the naming (Beer For…), it really stands out and makes an impression. … Their Eat Prey Mango became a new summer favorite for me.”

What are you most proud of at your brewery? 

I love how authentically Indian we have remained 30-plus beers into Azadi Brewing. We are a younger brewery in Illinois and take every opportunity we get to learn from the many talented brewers across the state, as well as support our local craft beer community in India. With so many breweries to choose from, we wanted to do something that introduced new customers to craft beer as well as introduced craft beer lovers to the culinary traditions and history of India through our beers.

With so many breweries to choose from, we wanted to do something that introduced new customers to craft beer as well as introduced craft beer lovers to the culinary traditions and history of India through our beers.”

All of our beers feature an authentically Indian name, can design (partnering with Illinois-based female Indian artists like Roshni Doshi and Jenny Vyas), and some background on what part of India inspired the beer. I think this focus, which we’ve learned from other brewers in Illinois, has helped us grow and navigate a changing market.

What do you have coming up that people should know about? 

We are releasing our third edition of Jaago — a chicory amber ale — that is inspired by south Indian filtered coffee (think of a frothy, espresso-style coffee served in steel glasses and with strong chicory notes). It is a uniquely Indian drink, perfect for the fall, and it’s our third year in a row releasing the beer. Each year we partner with Jenny Vyas, a Chicago-based south Asian fine artist, to do a unique beer label. The cans have become collectors’ items, and we love our authentically Indian interpretation of an amber ale.

Pilot Project