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  • Home
  • Inside Scoop
  • Feature Articles
  • IB Insiders
  • Interviews
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    • Brewery Listings
    • Brewery Spotlights
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    • Breweries in Bunches
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  • Magazine

  • Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Larry Bolton from Blind Pig Brewing in Champaign

  • Spotlight on Streetz Artz Alliance: It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination

  • Illinois Brewing Insider Hannah Gilmore, assistant taproom manager at Begyle Brewing

  • Inside Scoop: The highly anticipated Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB) returns to Chicago Nov. 13-14

  • Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with 93 Octane Brewery’s Sam Altaner

Brewery Focus

Home›Featured Post›Category: "Brewery Focus"
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    November 5, 2026
    108
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Larry Bolton from Blind Pig Brewing in Champaign

    Blind Pig Brewpub — Kitchen + Tap Larry Bolton Blind Big Brewing 301 N. Neil Street, Suite 101 Champaign, IL The last really good beer I ...
    Read More
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    October 13, 2026
    322
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with 93 Octane Brewery’s Sam Altaner

    Sam Altaner 93 Octane Brewery St. Charles and Elmhurst 93OctaneBrewery.com Q. The last really good beer I drank was… A. Dovetail Brewery’s helles lager is the ...
    Read More
  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    October 2, 2026
    446
    0

    Spotlight on White Oak Brewing in Normal

    White Oak Brewing 1801 Industrial Park Dr. in Normal WhiteOak.beer History in short: With its early beginnings as a homebrew shop dating back to 2011, White ...
    Read More
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    September 16, 2026
    474
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Joel Hatlin from Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville

    Joel Hatlin, head brewer Mickey Finn’s Brewery Libertyville, IL   Q: The last really good beer I drank was… A: Two that always do it for me: ...
    Read More
  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    September 8, 2026
    691
    0

    Spotlight on Pig Minds Brewing Co. in Machesney Park

    Pig Minds Brewing Co. 4080 Steele Dr. Machesney Park, IL PigMindsBrewing.com Monday-Wednesday: 3-8 p.m. Thursday: 3-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 12-9 p.m. Sunday: 12-8 p.m. What they’re known ...
    Read More
  • Juicy double-patty cheeseburger with lettuce, onions, pickles, and cheese on a sesame bun, with fries and a beer on the side.
    Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    August 11, 2026
    751
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with More Brewing Company’s David Ziebell

    David Ziebell Head brewer More Brewing Company Huntley, Villa Park and Bartlett, IL The last really good beer I drank was… If you mean strictly chronologically, ...
    Read More
  • Five brewery staff members in blue shirts posing with drinks behind a bar.
    Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    July 31, 2026
    810
    0

    Spotlight on Sew Hop’d Brewery in NW suburban Huntley

    Sew Hop’d Brewery 1 Union Special Plaza, Suite 113 Huntley, IL SewHopd.com History in short: The building was originally an old dairy production facility built in ...
    Read More
  • Crowd gathering outside Keg Grove Brewing Company with bicycles parked and people chatting on a sunny day.
    Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    July 23, 2026
    930
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Keg Grove Brewing Company’s Jeff Mroz

    Jeff Mroz Co-owner and brewer Keg Grove Brewing Company Bloomington and Morris, IL  The last really good beer I drank was…  Most recently, I was very ...
    Read More
  • Two smiling men stand at a wooden bar; one holds a World Beer Cup trophy, the other a beer magazine.“,
    Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    July 7, 2026
    1118
    0

    Spotlight on Adams Street Brewery in Chicago’s historic Berghoff restaurant

    Adams Street Brewery 17 W. Adams Street in Chicago AdamsStreetBrewery.com History in short: It’s hard to imagine a more historic restaurant in all of Illinois than ...
    Read More
  • Outdoor patio at Printer's Row Brewing with red umbrella tables on a sunny street corner, sidewalk seating visible
    Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    June 20, 2026
    652
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Printer’s Row Brewing’s Virgilio Mazzeo

    Virgilio Mazzeo Owner/head brewer Printer’s Row Brewing Chicago, IL The last really good beer I drank was… Sly Move, a Hazy IPA by Strangebird Brewery in ...
    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
Trent@IllinoisBrewing.com

Art director: Brian Hertel
Brian@IllinoisBrewing.com

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

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Stylish magazine, website and e-mail newsletter focused on the vibrant craft beer scene in Illinois. Sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild

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Nov 9

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It’s @fobab time this weekend, and the brewery list put together by the @ilcraftbeer looks better than ever. A few tickets remain to one of our favorite events anywhere. Get yours today at FoBAB.com

It’s @fobab time this weekend, and the brewery list put together by the @ilcraftbeer looks better than ever. A few tickets remain to one of our favorite events anywhere. Get yours today at FoBAB.com

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Nov 7

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From our current fall issue... Brewer’s Choice: Larry Bolton from @blindpigbrewery on developing a California connection, settling in for a @cruzblancachi farmhouse corn-brewed ale after @fobab and the release of four unique holiday beers at his @blindpigbrewpub Read the spotlight here: IllinoisBrewing.com

From our current fall issue...

Brewer’s Choice: Larry Bolton from @blindpigbrewery on developing a California connection, settling in for a @cruzblancachi farmhouse corn-brewed ale after @fobab and the release of four unique holiday beers at his @blindpigbrewpub

Read the spotlight here: IllinoisBrewing.com

16 1

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Nov 6

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When you’re at a midday business networking event and you run into an old friend from @halfacrebeer

When you’re at a midday business networking event and you run into an old friend from @halfacrebeer

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Nov 5

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From the Illinois Brewing Insider archives... Favorite breweries: "Breweries don’t become my favorites simply because they make good beer in a variety of styles (although those are two of the most important criteria), but because the people are fun and they make me feel welcome and comfortable there. My “home base” is @hailstormbrewing in Tinley Park, but other favorites in the general vicinity are @flipsidebrewing @imperialoakbrewing and @pollyannabrewingcompany Farther afield, I’m a big fan of @dovetailbrewery (because I’m a big fan of smoked beers), and you just can’t go wrong with @revbrewchicago I’m also unceasingly impressed by the @goldfingerbeer dedication to brewing world-class lager beer styles. And I wish @hopdistrictbrewing was closer to home." — @martynachel the founder and president of the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame Read more insight from Marty here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2026/08/22/illinois-brewing-insider-marty-nachel-founder-of-the-american-craft-beer-hall-of-fame/

From the Illinois Brewing Insider archives...

Favorite breweries: "Breweries don’t become my favorites simply because they make good beer in a variety of styles (although those are two of the most important criteria), but because the people are fun and they make me feel welcome and comfortable there. My “home base” is @hailstormbrewing in Tinley Park, but other favorites in the general vicinity are @flipsidebrewing @imperialoakbrewing and @pollyannabrewingcompany

Farther afield, I’m a big fan of @dovetailbrewery (because I’m a big fan of smoked beers), and you just can’t go wrong with @revbrewchicago

I’m also unceasingly impressed by the @goldfingerbeer dedication to brewing world-class lager beer styles. And I wish @hopdistrictbrewing was closer to home."

— @martynachel the founder and president of the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame

Read more insight from Marty here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2026/08/22/illinois-brewing-insider-marty-nachel-founder-of-the-american-craft-beer-hall-of-fame/

27 1

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Nov 2

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Replenishing our fall issue through the north side of Chicago and couldn’t be happier to see patrons at @hopbutcher and @burningbushbrewery enjoying the fresh air (and fresh craft beer) on Nov. 1

Replenishing our fall issue through the north side of Chicago and couldn’t be happier to see patrons at @hopbutcher and @burningbushbrewery enjoying the fresh air (and fresh craft beer) on Nov. 1

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Oct 30

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Soaking up the last of this near-summer weather with a @dovetailbrewery kolsch at @tinytappandcafe on the Chicago Riverwalk

Soaking up the last of this near-summer weather with a @dovetailbrewery kolsch at @tinytappandcafe on the Chicago Riverwalk

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Oct 28

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From our big fall issue that’s out now... Spotlight on @streetzartzalliance — It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination “Today, almost 15 years in, our goal remains pretty simple: find new talent, give artists opportunities to grow and succeed, support the breweries we work with, and build a real sense of community among our artists, vendors and patrons.” — Founder John Streetz Read the Q&A now at IllinoisBrewing.com

From our big fall issue that’s out now...

Spotlight on @streetzartzalliance — It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination

“Today, almost 15 years in, our goal remains pretty simple: find new talent, give artists opportunities to grow and succeed, support the breweries we work with, and build a real sense of community among our artists, vendors and patrons.” — Founder John Streetz

Read the Q&A now at IllinoisBrewing.com

53 3

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Oct 25

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Did you know that @kaisertigerchicago in Chicago’s West Loop has a free shuttle to all Blackhawks and Bulls games (and a lot of concerts)? We did. We also know they have great food, a huge patio and a stellar beer list with local Illinois brews from the likes of @arthistorybrewing @oldirvingbrewing @goldfingerbeer @midwestcoastbrewing @hopewellbrewing and more.

Did you know that @kaisertigerchicago in Chicago’s West Loop has a free shuttle to all Blackhawks and Bulls games (and a lot of concerts)? We did. We also know they have great food, a huge patio and a stellar beer list with local Illinois brews from the likes of @arthistorybrewing @oldirvingbrewing @goldfingerbeer @midwestcoastbrewing @hopewellbrewing and more.

15 1

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Oct 22

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Illinois Brewing Insider Hannah Gilmore — the assistant taproom manager at @begylebrewing — on great recent beers from @halfacrebeer @hopbutcher and @firestonewalker as well as her affection for the vibes at @longroomchicago and @thehopleaf … and family escapes to enjoy Maine’s impressive beer scene (we’re looking at you @mainebeerco @fogtownbrewing and @oronobrewingcompany Read the spotlight now at illinoisbrewing.com

Illinois Brewing Insider Hannah Gilmore — the assistant taproom manager at @begylebrewing — on great recent beers from @halfacrebeer @hopbutcher and @firestonewalker as well as her affection for the vibes at @longroomchicago and @thehopleaf … and family escapes to enjoy Maine’s impressive beer scene (we’re looking at you @mainebeerco @fogtownbrewing and @oronobrewingcompany

Read the spotlight now at illinoisbrewing.com

218 16

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Oct 20

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One of the most anticipated beer events in the country, @fobab (aka the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers) is where brewers show off their most ambitious, most imaginative creations and where drinkers get to explore the absolute edge of craft beer. Tickets for Nov. 13-14 are on sale now at FOBAB.com. Read more about this event in our Inside Scoop section at IllinoisBrewing.com

One of the most anticipated beer events in the country, @fobab (aka the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers) is where brewers show off their most ambitious, most imaginative creations and where drinkers get to explore the absolute edge of craft beer.

Tickets for Nov. 13-14 are on sale now at FOBAB.com. Read more about this event in our Inside Scoop section at IllinoisBrewing.com

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Oct 19

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Catching the Bears game at the versatile @doubleclutchbrewery in Evanston prior to the kid’s playoff baseball game down the street = a quality decision. Smoked turkey BLT, nice variety of brews, classic cars and three different rooms to enjoy.

Catching the Bears game at the versatile @doubleclutchbrewery in Evanston prior to the kid’s playoff baseball game down the street = a quality decision. Smoked turkey BLT, nice variety of brews, classic cars and three different rooms to enjoy.

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Oct 16

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Now this is a trend we can get behind — an imperial Oktoberfest. Nice little mid-October treat from Colorado’s @averybrewingcompany during a lunch meeting in Chicago today

Now this is a trend we can get behind — an imperial Oktoberfest. Nice little mid-October treat from Colorado’s @averybrewingcompany during a lunch meeting in Chicago today

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Oct 14

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The one and only Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers ( aka @fobab ) is only a month away and will include more than 250 barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads and perries. This massive event is always a highlight of the year, so get your tickets now.

The one and only Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers ( aka @fobab ) is only a month away and will include more than 250 barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads and perries. This massive event is always a highlight of the year, so get your tickets now.

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RECENT POSTS

Brewer's Choice

Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Larry Bolton from Blind Pig Brewing in Champaign

Blind Pig Brewpub — Kitchen + Tap Larry Bolton Blind Big Brewing 301 N. Neil Street, Suite 101 Champaign, IL The last really good beer I drank was… Thanks to ...

  • Spotlight on Streetz Artz Alliance: It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination

    By Trent Modglin
    October 28, 2026
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