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Illinois Brewing

  • Home
  • Inside Scoop
  • Feature Articles
  • IB Insiders
  • Interviews
  • Brewery Focus
    • Brewery Listings
    • Brewery Spotlights
    • Brewer’s Choice
    • Breweries in Bunches
  • Last Call
  • Magazine

  • Inside Scoop: Maplewood’s new kitchen, Beer Night at the Pistol Shrimp baseball game July 10, Lake Effect’s taproom, Streetz Artz Alliance upcoming shows, Tinley Park Ale Trail trolley and more

  • Brewer’s Choice: Burning Bush Brewery’s Scott McElhenie

  • Last Call: What’s the best meal you’ve had recently at an Illinois brewery?

  • Spotlight on Suncatcher Brewing

  • Brewer’s Choice: Goldfinger Brewing’s Tom Beckmann

Brewery Focus

Home›Featured Post›Category: "Brewery Focus"
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    June 28, 2025
    188
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    Brewer’s Choice: Burning Bush Brewery’s Scott McElhenie

    Russian River Brewing Brewer’s Choice Scott McElhenie Head brewer at Burning Bush Brewery in Chicago The last really good beer I drank was… Happy Hops IPA ...
    Read More
  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    June 21, 2025
    183
    0

    Spotlight on Suncatcher Brewing

    Suncatcher Brewing 2849 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL SuncatcherBrewing.com Sunday-Monday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday 11a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. History in short: The brainstorming for ...
    Read More
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    June 6, 2025
    480
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Goldfinger Brewing’s Tom Beckmann

    Tom Beckmann Goldfinger Brewing Company Downers Grove, IL GoldfingerBrewing.com The last really good beer I drank was… The American Zoigl brewed by Schilling Beer Co. out ...
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  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    June 3, 2025
    467
    0

    Spotlight on Macushla Brewing in north suburban Glenview

    Macushla Brewing 1516 E. Lake Ave. Glenview, IL MacushlaBeer.com Tuesday-Thursday 3-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday 12-11 p.m. Sunday 12-6 p.m.  History in short: Back in 2015, Megan and ...
    Read More
  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    May 3, 2025
    558
    0

    Brewery spotlight on Springfield’s Engrained Brewing Company

    Spotlight on Engrained Brewing Company: With an emphasis on utilizing local produce and livestock, as well as reducing our environmental footprint, this Springfield brewery boasts an ...
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  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    April 20, 2025
    680
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    Brewer’s Choice: BBGB Brewery’s Bob Salzman

    BBGB Brewery and Hardware Gastropub patio BBGB Brewery’s Bob Salzman on the gorgeous patio to enjoy his beers at Hardware Gastropub, the helles lager from Weihenstephaner ...
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  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    April 14, 2025
    1061
    0

    Spotlight on Solemn Oath Brewery

    Spotlight on Solemn Oath Brewery: Going strong after 13 years — with locations in Naperville and Chicago — this perennial favorite has always focused on a ...
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  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    March 27, 2025
    901
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    Brewer’s Choice: Adams Street Brewery’s Mark Duchow and Jim Riggs on great recent beers from Off Color, Double Clutch and Dovetail, raking in 17 awards in 2024, and tapping a pair of favorite stouts this spring

    Adams Street Brewery inside the historic Berghoff restaurant 17 W. Adams in Chicago AdamsStreetBrewery.com The last really good beer I drank was… Jim: Typically, I would ...
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  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    March 6, 2025
    1187
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    Brewer’s choice: Hand of Fate Brewing’s Mike Allison on the kellerbier from Anvil & Forge, being a fan of all things White Oak, and his own cream ale developing a cult following

    Hand of Fate Brewing’s game night Mike Allison Owner and head brewer Hand of Fate Brewing Company Co. Petersburg, IL The last really good beer I ...
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  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    February 25, 2025
    798
    0

    Spotlight on Old Irving Brewing Company: This award-winning favorite on Chicago’s NW side boasts a welcoming vibe and a seriously scrumptious menu. And did we mention they’re expanding?

    Old Irving Brewing Co. 4419 W. Montrose Ave. in Chicago OldIrvingBrewing.com Monday-Thursday: Noon-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday: Noon-midnight Sunday: Noon-10 p.m. History in short: Like so many others, ...
    Read More
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About us

Sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, Illinois Brewing is printed and distributed quarterly (early January, April, July and October) to more than 250 breweries across the state as well as more than 100 craft beer-focused bars, restaurants and stores. Each member of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s IMBIBE club also receives the magazine in the mail. 

Publisher/owner: Trent Modglin
[email protected]

Art director: Brian Hertel
[email protected]

Illinois Brewing's magazine, website and email newsletter are property of Venture Forth Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023.

illinoisbrewing

Stylish magazine, website and e-mail newsletter focused on the vibrant craft beer scene in Illinois. Sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild
It’s official… Imagine us having to keep this It’s official… Imagine us having to keep this little secret for most of the last year, especially when the second location will be walking distance from our house. Congrats Mike and the talented crew at @mikerphonebrewing … we can’t wait to be your first customer. Look for a Q&A about this fun expansion in the fall issue of Illinois Brewing
The Inside Scoop from our big summer issue: The @m The Inside Scoop from our big summer issue: The @maplewoodbrew new kitchen, Beer Night at the @pistolshrimpbaseball game July 10, @lakeeffectbrewing new long-awaited taproom, Streetz Artz Alliance @streetzmobeatz upcoming shows, the Tinley Park Ale Trail trolley, @stcalliance Brew Tour, @opmicrobrew festival and more Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com
From our Brewer’s Choice section in new summer i From our Brewer’s Choice section in new summer issue: Q: What do you have coming up that people should know about? @burningbushbrewery head brewer Scott McElhenie: We recently brewed Da Pope, an American mild ale, in honor of the new pope, Pope Leo XIV, who is a Chicago native. People immediately loved the name, but were surprised to realize how much they also enjoyed the beer. We workshopped Da Pope as a lighter-bodied option that still offers notes more commonly found in darker styles to give some variety over the summer. It makes me laugh a little every time somebody says, “It’s actually good!” as if we would make a beer that didn’t taste good just for a cheesy name. Read the spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com
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The Streetz Artz Alliance Summer Art Bazaar return The Streetz Artz Alliance Summer Art Bazaar returns to Tinley Park’s @flipsidebrewing this Sunday, July 6 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The event with @streetzmobeatz will showcase 16 talented local artists in an intimate and vibrant setting inside the brewery’s taproom, perfectly paired with house-made smash burgers and fresh craft beer. Shoppers can expect a wide and unique range of offerings — from handcrafted hot sauces, crocheted creatures, and original artwork to houseplants, tarot readings, skincare products, handmade jewelry, coffee, candles and even giant cookies.
Oh yes. The expansion continues. Oh yes. The expansion continues.
From our new summer issue... Brewer’s Choice: @b From our new summer issue... Brewer’s Choice: @burningbushbrewery head brewer Scott McElhenie on @russianriverbrewingofficial living up to the hype, the @sturdyshelterbrewing sensational Paddlewheel porter, and naming a popular new beer after the Pope Leo XIV “I just had a couple beers from Sturdy Shelter Brewing that really impressed me. … I have had a few porters in my life, but the Paddlewheel Porter was extraordinarily well crafted. The vanilla is well balanced with the darker malts so that you aren’t left with an overwhelming sweetness in the beer.” Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com
If you haven’t tried the menu at @industryales i If you haven’t tried the menu at @industryales in downtown Chicago yet, prepare to be blown away. Be on the lookout for our Breweries in Bunches feature on the four Loop breweries in our new summer issue.
Well, we thought we were doing a decent job with t Well, we thought we were doing a decent job with the magazine, but it seems Illinois Brewing is so entertaining, it can even distract people from enjoying the likes of Malibu Beach and Joshua Tree National Park in California.
From @oldirvingbrewing burgers and the @uneannee c From @oldirvingbrewing burgers and the @uneannee cave monster sandwich to @crustbrewing fish tacos and @morebrewing Indian dishes, we asked readers and industry professionals: What’s the best meal you’ve had recently at an Illinois brewery? Read the Last Call section now at IllinoisBrewing.com
Quick family vacation to Southern California and c Quick family vacation to Southern California and coming away impressed with the San Diego craft beer scene. Favorites so far include: @moderntimesbeer Orderville hazy IPA (winner so far), @latitude33brew Brewing’s blood orange IPA, @seekbeerco That Adds Up hazy IPA, @coronadobrewing Weekend Vibes IPA, @emboldenbeerco Industry blonde ale and @burgeonbeer Carlsbad Crush pale ale.
Read our spotlight on @suncatcherbrewing — who h Read our spotlight on @suncatcherbrewing — who happens to be hosting a Summer Solstice party today. “Suncatcher is all about going back to the beers I was stoked and inspired by when I was first learning about beer as a younger person… and keeping that feeling going.” — Co-owner Matt Gallagher Read the feature now at IllinoisBrewing.com
From the archives: Spotlight on @onelakebrewing — Located in a gorgeously renovated 1920s bank in Oak Park, this brewery from a pair of friends focuses on beer that’s true to the region it’s from and fostering a community vibe. And did we mention they have an awesome rooftop? “We try to brew beer that’s true to the region it came from. We bring in ingredients from all over the world and use them in their purest form. … We even adjust the water chemistry too, in order to mimic the environment of the local brewers.” — Shawn Stevens Read the brewery spotlight at IllinoisBrewing.com
Double hazy IPA from @mikerphonebrewing on the pat Double hazy IPA from @mikerphonebrewing on the patio while playing a “candy Monopoly” my kid created on his own? Not a bad way to spend a summer evening.
Had a great time at the annual @illinoisbrewing go Had a great time at the annual @illinoisbrewing golf scramble earlier this week — with a tasty variety of beers from the likes of @hopbutcher @midwestcoastbrewing @blindcornerbeer @werkforcebrewing @reserveartisanales @alterbeer and more. Also swung by for an interview with @brotherchimpbrewing for a feature in the summer issue. Now that’s a day.
Thanks to @maplewoodbrew for the invite earlier th Thanks to @maplewoodbrew for the invite earlier this week to get a sneak peek of their new kitchen and expanded taproom in Logan Square. Stellar smash burger, Pillowy Mellows NEIPA and In Dark Trees dark Czech lager. And a bottle of their finest bourbon to go. Look for more on Maplewood in the upcoming summer issue
Fun event alert: The fourth annual STC Six collabo Fun event alert: The fourth annual STC Six collaboration launch party is happening on Wednesday, June 18 at 5 p.m. at Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling in downtown St. Charles. The STC Six is made up of the following St. Charles breweries: @93octanebrewery @alterbeer.stc @brokenbrix_cidery @pollyannabrewingcompany @riverlandsbrewingcompany and D&G. The breweries invite everyone to join in on the celebration for a great cause with the first opportunity to taste the new beer — a West Coast pilsner with notes of citrus, tropical fruit and a touch of pine. This year’s collaboration supports the important mission of Support Over Stigma, a nonprofit helping veterans and first responders. For every beer and limited-edition glassware sold, $1 will be donated to the cause. Can’t make it to the event but want to contribute? You can visit any of the participating breweries to try the beer and purchase limited-edition glassware. More information: STCSix.com
Nice patio session catching up with old friends la Nice patio session catching up with old friends last night at @halfacrebeer on Chicago’s far north side. Really dug the Nebula Double Daisy Cutter hazy IPA, Persephone pomegranate kolsch and Second Setting imperial IPA. New supply of Illinois Brewing is there now too. Summer issue out soon.
Brewer’s Choice: Tom Beckmann @twbeckmann from @ Brewer’s Choice: Tom Beckmann @twbeckmann from @goldfingerbeer on tasty recent brews from @iswasbrewing and @suncatcherbrewing … the growth of his brewery and their fifth annual Lagerversary coming up July 18-20 Read the spotlight from our spring issue now at IllinoisBrewing.com
This is not an event to be missed from the @ilcraf This is not an event to be missed from the @ilcraftbeer Guild. Tomorrow, Friday, June 6 at @gallagherwaychi next to Wrigley Field. Not a bad backdrop, right? 30-plus Chicago breweries serving up some of their best stuff for just $30. Can’t beat it, and the weather looks awesome.
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Inside Scoop

Inside Scoop: Maplewood’s new kitchen, Beer Night at the Pistol Shrimp baseball game July 10, ...

Maplewood Brewery’s new smash burger Maplewood Brewery & Distillery unveils new kitchen and expanded lounge at their Chicago taproom A new lounge and kitchen were officially opened for business in ...

  • Brewer’s Choice: Burning Bush Brewery’s Scott McElhenie

    By Trent Modglin
    June 28, 2025
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