Brewery Focus
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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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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, ... -
Spotlight on Emancipation Brewing Company: This Bloomington-area brewery, located in a charming former dairy barn on the family farm, churns out a serious variety of quality craft beer
Emancipation Brewing Co. 13113 North 2500 East Road Fairbury, IL EmancipationBrewingCo.com Thursday: 4-9 p.m. Friday: 3-10 p.m. Saturday: Noon-10 p.m. Sunday: 1-5 p.m. History in short: ... -
Brewer’s Choice: Sketchbook Brewing’s Jay Dogen on Art History and Goldfinger setting the bar for lagers, discovering the Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver, and being proud of Sketchbook’s winter warmer and American stout
Jay Dogen Assistant brewer at Sketchbook Brewing in Skokie, IL SketchbookBrewing.com The last really good beer I drank was… out in Denver for the Great American ... -
Spotlight on One Lake Brewing: 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
One Lake Brewing 1 Lake Street in Oak Park, IL OneLakeBrewing.com Wednesday: 4-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday: 4-10 p.m. Saturday: 11-10 p.m. Sunday: 11-8 p.m. History ... -
Brewer’s Choice: Crust Brewing’s Rob Hunter on his education in quality lagers, being impressed by Double Clutch Brewing, and his initial foray into barrel-aging
Rob Hunter Head brewer at Crust Brewing in Rosemont, IL CrustBrewing.com The last really good beer I drank was… Crystal Lake Brewing’s Oktoberfest. Ryan Clooney, the ... -
Spotlight on Unpossible Mead: Nestled near Route 66 in Dwight, Brian Galbreath is not afraid to “play with weird stuff” on his way to making award-winning meads, and ciders are up next
Unpossible Mead 111 E Chippewa Street Dwight, IL UnpossibleMead.com Saturday: 2-8 p.m. Sunday: 1-5 p.m. History in short: Brian Galbreath, admittedly “lazy by nature,” used to ...