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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

  • Illinois Brewing Insider Paul McCann, head of production at Uné Année Brewery

  • Underrated brewery patios and beer gardens that are perfect for a cold beer this summer

  • Inside Scoop: Oak Park Microbrew Review, Streetz Artz Alliance summer shows, Buffalo Creek Brewing Sausage Fest, Maplewood Public House and Burning Bush Brewery’s cocktail bar, a Belgian beer competition in St. Charles, brewery deals and more

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

  • Illinois Brewing Insider: Homebrewer Chris Baynes

IB Insiders

Home›Featured Post›Category: "IB Insiders"
  • Outdoor patio with people dining near a mural of a large black bird on a brick wall, string lights overhead, and wooden barrels.
    IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    July 3, 2026
    190
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider Paul McCann, head of production at Uné Année Brewery

    Uné Année Brewery in Niles Paul McCann Head of Production at Uné Année Brewery in Niles Favorite breweries: My favorite brewery would have to be New ...
    Read More
  • Crowded indoor beer hall with people gathered around communal tables, drinks in hand, under red decorative netting and hanging lights.
    IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    June 13, 2026
    419
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Homebrewer Chris Baynes

    Revolution Brewing Chris Baynes Home brewer and beer enthusiast Favorite breweries: I’m a Chicago kid, born and raised, so the breweries that I tend to go ...
    Read More
  • Group of people seated at a long brewery table watching a football game on a large wall TV, with beer taps and brewing tanks nearby.
    IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    May 11, 2026
    488
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Jim Koblish, owner and head brewer at Hop District Community Brewing Co.

    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 ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    April 3, 2026
    534
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider Don Hardy, founder of the popular Chicago Area Microbreweries Facebook group

    Whiskey Hill Brewing Co. Don Hardy Founder of the Chicago Area Microbreweries group on Facebook Favorite breweries: With running a Facebook group with almost 20,000 members, ...
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  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    March 10, 2026
    456
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Steve Judge

    Steve Judge Co-director of the Park Ridge Market After Dark Favorite breweries: Illinois has no shortage of great breweries, but a few standouts rise to the ...
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  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    January 26, 2026
    942
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Rachel Morrison from Beer Adjacent

    Midwest Coast Brewing in Chicago Rachel Morrison BeerAdjacent.com @beeradjacent Favorite breweries: This question feels illegal, but I’ll share my current stomping grounds since inquiring minds want to ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    December 29, 2025
    1146
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Bubblehouse Brewing’s Jon Miller

    Jon Miller Brewer/Owner Bubblehouse Brewing Company 2121 Ogden Ave. in Lisle Favorite breweries: We are fortunate to have an abundance of amazing breweries in the great state ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    December 14, 2025
    975
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Amanda Steinbraker from Church Street Brewing

    Amanda Steinbraker Church Street Brewing Itasca, IL Favorite breweries: Besides Church Street Brewing Co., I love my lager friends! Close to home we love Roaring Table ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    November 5, 2025
    1201
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Navigator Taproom’s Tim Enarson

    Tim Enarson Co-owner of Navigator Taproom 2211 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago NavigatorTaproom.com Favorite breweries: I really like the breweries in and around Logan Square that have ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    October 2, 2025
    1166
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Homewood Brewing Company’s Cam Horn

    Homewood Brewing Company Cam Horn Director of Brewing Operations Homewood Brewing Company Homewood, IL Favorite breweries: I’m a brewer’s brewer who’s been doing traditional beers for ...
    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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Jul 5

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Day No. 6 of smuggling Illinois beers into the northwoods of Wisconsin features the award-winning 13.5 Polotmavy Pivo from @adamsstreetbrewery inside the historic @berghoffchicago in the Loop. It’s a traditional amber Czech lager with hints of caramel and toasted bread. Look for more on Adams Street in our summer issue out now

Day No. 6 of smuggling Illinois beers into the northwoods of Wisconsin features the award-winning 13.5 Polotmavy Pivo from @adamsstreetbrewery inside the historic @berghoffchicago in the Loop. It’s a traditional amber Czech lager with hints of caramel and toasted bread. Look for more on Adams Street in our summer issue out now ...

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Jul 3

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From our big summer issue that’s out now... Illinois Brewing Insider Paul McCann, the head of production at @uneannee / @hubbards_cave on their own Summer’s Cauldron IPA, the @halfacrebeer impressive barrel-aging program, the @goldfingerbeer lager lineup, a beautiful day spent at @monkishbrewing in California, and the hidden gem in Chicago that is @laschets Inn Read the spotlight now: IllinoisBrewing.com

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

Illinois Brewing Insider Paul McCann, the head of production at @uneannee / @hubbards_cave on their own Summer’s Cauldron IPA, the @halfacrebeer impressive barrel-aging program, the @goldfingerbeer lager lineup, a beautiful day spent at @monkishbrewing in California, and the hidden gem in Chicago that is @laschets Inn

Read the spotlight now: IllinoisBrewing.com ...

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Jul 2

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Perhaps due to the impressive interior or the vast food menu, the sneaky large patio at Rosemont’s @crustbrewing — with seating for about 100 — somehow gets overlooked a bit. But it definitely shouldn’t. For us, it’s a serious summer destination, especially during the free Thursday concert series and fireworks shows in the summer at @parkwaybankpark Classic German-style beers take center stage here under the direction of head brewer Rob Hunter. The Pacific Standard pale ale, which carries a solid malt presence balanced by hints of citrus and pine, is a personal favorite. And don’t forget to try the new Blue Berrymore cream ale that’s brewed with loads of fresh blueberry puree and a touch of Lemondrop hops and dried lemon peel. Talk about a perfect summer pint. Read more from our feature article on a handful of the state’s underrated brewery patios and beer gardens at IllinoisBrewing.com

Perhaps due to the impressive interior or the vast food menu, the sneaky large patio at Rosemont’s @crustbrewing — with seating for about 100 — somehow gets overlooked a bit. But it definitely shouldn’t. For us, it’s a serious summer destination, especially during the free Thursday concert series and fireworks shows in the summer at @parkwaybankpark

Classic German-style beers take center stage here under the direction of head brewer Rob Hunter. The Pacific Standard pale ale, which carries a solid malt presence balanced by hints of citrus and pine, is a personal favorite. And don’t forget to try the new Blue Berrymore cream ale that’s brewed with loads of fresh blueberry puree and a touch of Lemondrop hops and dried lemon peel. Talk about a perfect summer pint.

Read more from our feature article on a handful of the state’s underrated brewery patios and beer gardens at IllinoisBrewing.com ...

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Jul 1

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Day 4 of smuggling Illinois beers into Wisconsin’s northwoods includes an annual 2-hour canoe trip and cracking a Walk the Plank imperial red ale from @black_horizon_brewing

Day 4 of smuggling Illinois beers into Wisconsin’s northwoods includes an annual 2-hour canoe trip and cracking a Walk the Plank imperial red ale from @black_horizon_brewing ...

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Jun 30

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Day 3 of smuggling Illinois beers into Wisconsin’s northwoods includes a long pontoon ride with a @revbrewchicago Sun Crusher summer ale and One Hop Citra IPA from @uneannee and @hubbards_cave

Day 3 of smuggling Illinois beers into Wisconsin’s northwoods includes a long pontoon ride with a @revbrewchicago Sun Crusher summer ale and One Hop Citra IPA from @uneannee and @hubbards_cave ...

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Jun 29

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From the archives... Last Call: What was your favorite beer experience of the summer? "There is something truly incredible about the @greattastemw in Madison. I have traveled the world attending beer fests, and nothing compares to the Great Taste. It’s the location. It’s the breweries. It’s the attendees. It’s the people that host it. We have such an amazing time." — Mike Pallen, @mikerphonebrewing Read the Last Call feature from last fall here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2025/11/17/last-call-what-was-your-favorite-beer-experience-from-this-past-summer/

From the archives...
Last Call: What was your favorite beer experience of the summer?

"There is something truly incredible about the @greattastemw in Madison. I have traveled the world attending beer fests, and nothing compares to the Great Taste. It’s the location. It’s the breweries. It’s the attendees. It’s the people that host it. We have such an amazing time." — Mike Pallen, @mikerphonebrewing

Read the Last Call feature from last fall here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2025/11/17/last-call-what-was-your-favorite-beer-experience-from-this-past-summer/ ...

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Jun 29

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To quote my 82-year-old dad (who's about six weeks out of major surgery) not more than 10 minutes after we arrived: "You brought some of your good beer up here, didn't you?" ... Well, yes Dad. I certainly did. Day one of our annual escape to the family cabin in the northwoods of Wisconsin, and we're enjoying a great Mexican lager from our friends at @uniontownbrewingco in Ashland, Ohio, as well as an @erischicago E-Phoria cider and a Future Saints hazy pale ale from @solemnoathbeer and @hiddenhandbeer Not a bad start to vacation.

To quote my 82-year-old dad (who`s about six weeks out of major surgery) not more than 10 minutes after we arrived: "You brought some of your good beer up here, didn`t you?" ... Well, yes Dad. I certainly did.

Day one of our annual escape to the family cabin in the northwoods of Wisconsin, and we`re enjoying a great Mexican lager from our friends at @uniontownbrewingco in Ashland, Ohio, as well as an @erischicago E-Phoria cider and a Future Saints hazy pale ale from @solemnoathbeer and @hiddenhandbeer

Not a bad start to vacation. ...

11 2

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Jun 28

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It’s summer, a cold craft beer is calling, and we’ve got a few of the state’s more underrated patios and beer gardens the state worth checking out. Check out the feature from our big summer issue here: IllinoisBrewing.com

It’s summer, a cold craft beer is calling, and we’ve got a few of the state’s more underrated patios and beer gardens the state worth checking out.

Check out the feature from our big summer issue here: IllinoisBrewing.com ...

17 0

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Jun 26

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Beer of the Week Cherry Chopper �5.0% ABV �@keggrovebrewco @keggrovemorris @whiteoakbrewing @analyticalbrewing @analyticalbrewingpeoria and @evergreenfarm1858 This wonderful collaboration between four fantastic central Illinois breweries is a deliciously tart cherry golden ale to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the USA. It’s basically like summer in a glass, and currently available at all six taprooms.

Beer of the Week

Cherry Chopper
�5.0% ABV
�@keggrovebrewco @keggrovemorris @whiteoakbrewing @analyticalbrewing @analyticalbrewingpeoria and @evergreenfarm1858

This wonderful collaboration between four fantastic central Illinois breweries is a deliciously tart cherry golden ale to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the USA. It’s basically like summer in a glass, and currently available at all six taprooms. ...

10 0

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Jun 26

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You asked for more frequent Kölsch service at @roaringtable — and they delivered. Look for plenty of kolsch being poured at their Lake Zurich taproom this Saturday, June 27 from 3-7 p.m. to go with delicious pours of Summertime in a Glass and a special German-inspired menu.

You asked for more frequent Kölsch service at @roaringtable — and they delivered. Look for plenty of kolsch being poured at their Lake Zurich taproom this Saturday, June 27 from 3-7 p.m. to go with delicious pours of Summertime in a Glass and a special German-inspired menu. ...

25 0

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Jun 26

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Save the date: Ravenswood on Tap July 18-19 @maltrowchicago is one of the most prolific craft brewing communities in the country — and it’s right here in the @ravenswood_chi neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. Each year, the community celebrates this cultural ferment with Ravenswood On Tap, a two-day outdoor festival that is all about local. Enjoy beers from Malt Row breweries — @begylebrewing @hopbutcher @halfacrebeer @iswasbrewing@spitefulbrewing @demobrewery @dovetailbrewery and @cultivatebyforbiddenroot — along with @kovaldistillery cocktails, special tappings, live music, delicious street food, local artisans, games and more. Location: Ravenswood and Berteau Avenues in the Ravenswood Corridor. Date and time: Saturday, July 18 (Noon-10 p.m.) and Sunday, July 19 (Noon-8 p.m.). More info: RavenswoodChicago.org Read more about this and more events in our new summer issue and online at IllinoisBrewing.com

Save the date: Ravenswood on Tap July 18-19

@maltrowchicago is one of the most prolific craft brewing communities in the country — and it’s right here in the @ravenswood_chi neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. Each year, the community celebrates this cultural ferment with Ravenswood On Tap, a two-day outdoor festival that is all about local. Enjoy beers from Malt Row breweries — @begylebrewing @hopbutcher @halfacrebeer @iswasbrewing@spitefulbrewing @demobrewery @dovetailbrewery and @cultivatebyforbiddenroot — along with @kovaldistillery cocktails, special tappings, live music, delicious street food, local artisans, games and more.

Location: Ravenswood and Berteau Avenues in the Ravenswood Corridor.
Date and time: Saturday, July 18 (Noon-10 p.m.) and Sunday, July 19 (Noon-8 p.m.).
More info: RavenswoodChicago.org

Read more about this and more events in our new summer issue and online at IllinoisBrewing.com ...

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Jun 25

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It's shaping up to be a beautiful weekend... perfect for a few beers on the patio at @sketchbookbrew in Skoke, where we recently enjoyed their 2026 version of Freedomish called Respect Existence or Expect Resistance (fruited wheat ale with dragon fruit and Andean blackberries, blueberries and raspberries) and a stellar new double NEIPA called Phantasm of the Hopera.

It`s shaping up to be a beautiful weekend... perfect for a few beers on the patio at @sketchbookbrew in Skoke, where we recently enjoyed their 2026 version of Freedomish called Respect Existence or Expect Resistance (fruited wheat ale with dragon fruit and Andean blackberries, blueberries and raspberries) and a stellar new double NEIPA called Phantasm of the Hopera. ...

16 0

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Jun 24

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Sadly, the great @@illuminatedbrewworks in Chicago's Norwood Park is closing its doors this weekend, but they've got a lot of fun things planned for the rest of the week and some great beer to sell before that. Like their unique Malort barrel-aged stout going for $30 per 750 ML bottle. Swing in this week to say goodbye, hoist a few pints and grab some favorites to go.

Sadly, the great @@illuminatedbrewworks in Chicago`s Norwood Park is closing its doors this weekend, but they`ve got a lot of fun things planned for the rest of the week and some great beer to sell before that. Like their unique Malort barrel-aged stout going for $30 per 750 ML bottle. Swing in this week to say goodbye, hoist a few pints and grab some favorites to go. ...

16 0
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IB Insiders

Illinois Brewing Insider Paul McCann, head of production at Uné Année Brewery

Uné Année Brewery in Niles Paul McCann Head of Production at Uné Année Brewery in Niles Favorite breweries: My favorite brewery would have to be New Glarus when all is ...
  • Exterior view of Crust Brewing, a brick building with large windows, and a crowded outdoor patio of diners along a railing.

    Underrated brewery patios and beer gardens that are perfect for a cold beer this summer

    By Trent Modglin
    June 27, 2026
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