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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
  • Last Call: What was your favorite craft beer experience of the summer?

  • Spotlight on White Oak Brewing in Normal

  • Illinois Brewing Insider Brian Noonan, host of the Crafty Brewers podcast

  • Inside Scoop: Phase Three and Pollyanna expanding to Chicago, Will Run for Beer 5K Oct. 24, Streetz Artz Alliance shows, FoBAB Nov. 13-14, Geneva Lights and Flights and more

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

IB Insiders

Home›Featured Post›Category: "IB Insiders" (Page 4)
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    December 17, 2023
    2596
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    Illinois Brewing Insider: Beer on the Wall’s Josh Sissman on an appreciation for Alarmist, Hop Butcher and Hopleaf, quality family time on the Une Année patio, and exploring the artistry from Alpha Brewing in St. Louis

    Josh Sissman Manager Beer on the Wall in Park Ridge, IL (with additional locations in Arlington Heights & Elmhurst) WeHaveGreatBeer.com Favorite breweries: Some of my favorites are ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    November 14, 2023
    2585
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Bubblehouse Brewing’s Evan Nimke on lagers by Art History and Goldfinger, the friendly vibes at The Beer and Now and Freedom Brothers in the west burbs, and their own grodziskie collaboration with Brother Chimp

    Evan Nimke Taproom manager and marketing director Bubblehouse Brewing Company in Lisle, IL Favorite breweries: Obviously, I’m partial to Bubblehouse Brewing in Lisle, as I work ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    October 27, 2023
    3131
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Chicagoland Brews Cruise owner Kirk Kilker on the passion shown by Alter Brewing and Whiskey Hill, appreciating the grodziskie style, and the Sidecar Supper Club in Batavia

    Kirk Kilker Owner, Chicagoland Brews Cruise ChicagolandBrewsCruise.com Favorite breweries: I am blessed to have a number of great breweries near my home. Three of my favorites are ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    October 21, 2023
    2922
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Timothy Ficken from Midwest Coast Brewing on the lagers and hefeweizens and Dovetail and Metropolitan, the return of his own Friendsgiving spiced strong ale, and hidden gem bars like Tuman’s Tap

    Timothy Ficken Brewery manager at Midwest Coast Brewing in Chicago’s West Loop MidwestCoastBrewing.com Favorite breweries: The first one I always think of is Hopewell. Everything they ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    August 14, 2023
    2974
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insiders: The Midwest Brew Review guys on Maplewood and Art History doing great things, the charm of New Glarus, and how Horse Thief Hollow’s award-winning pilsner is ideal for summer

    Insiders: Matt Psenicka, Billy Nauss, Brian Nauss Midwest Brew Review on You Tube Favorite breweries: Growing up and living around Downers Grove, we’ve had the pleasure of ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    July 15, 2023
    3253
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider Eric Farrell from Bottle Theory in Elmhurst on Hop Butcher’s small-batch offerings, Goldfinger’s stellar Mexican lager and his own easy-drinking collaboration with Riverlands

    Eric Farrell Owner of Bottle Theory Taproom and Bottle Shop 542 Spring Rd in Elmhurst, IL BottleTheoryTaproom.com Favorite breweries: This feels like a loaded question. Illinois ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    June 13, 2023
    3814
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Beermiscuous co-manager Phil Vasquez on becoming a Lukr tap fanatic, his love of a good ESB (especially Art History’s) and how Half Acre’s new lime lager will be a summer staple

    Phil Vaquez, co-manager at Beermiscuous in Highwood, IL 552 Sheridan Road in Highwood 2812 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago Beermiscuous.com Favorite breweries: The upside of my ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    May 6, 2023
    3820
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider Samantha Lee, co-owner of Hopewell Brewing, on collaborating with Goldfinger, her own Outside Voice session IPA, and the quality BBQ and beer list at Green Street Smoked Meats

    Samantha Lee Co-owner of Hopewell Brewing 2760 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago HopewellBrewing.com Favorite Illinois breweries: I live in Logan Square, and we make it over ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    April 15, 2023
    3531
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insiders Romeo & Brewliet on the excitement surrounding Phase Three’s second location, partying with (and learning from) Chaos Brew Club, and the impressive tap selection at Church Street

    Beer blogging couple Romeo & Brewliet RomeoAndBrewliet.com Instagram: @romeoandbrewliet Favorite breweries: (Romeo) Starting with the hardest question of all I see. Well, that’s tough. My handful would ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    March 1, 2023
    3394
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider Cesar Marron on his own Common Culture oatmeal stout, drinking Belgians at Hopleaf and spending a day on Metropolitan’s patio

    Metropolitan Brewing’s patio in Chicago Cesar Marron Head brewer and managing partner Sketchbook Brewing Company in Evanston and Skokie, IL SketchbookBrewing.com Drinking tendencies: Genuinely speaking I ...
    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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Oct 6

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Last Call from our big fall issue: From the @greattastemw in Madison and the @milkmoneybrewing Summerfest to concerts in Rosemont’s @parkwaybankpark and chilling on the patio at @halfacrebeer and @sturdyshelterbrewing we asked readers for their favorite craft beer experiences of the summer 

Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com

Last Call from our big fall issue: From the @greattastemw in Madison and the @milkmoneybrewing Summerfest to concerts in Rosemont’s @parkwaybankpark and chilling on the patio at @halfacrebeer and @sturdyshelterbrewing we asked readers for their favorite craft beer experiences of the summer

Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com

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Oct 3

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Oktoberfest is off and running at @uneannee Brewery in Niles. All day today and Sunday. Weather is perfect, the beer is cold, and the vibes are festive

Oktoberfest is off and running at @uneannee Brewery in Niles. All day today and Sunday. Weather is perfect, the beer is cold, and the vibes are festive

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Oct 2

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Spotlight on @whiteoakbrewing 

This expanding brewery in Normal, Illinois is known for its wide range of beers — from award-winning BA stouts and English-style ales on cask to hazy IPAs — as well some friendly taproom vibes and unique events

Read the feature from our fall issue now at IllinoisBrewing.com

Spotlight on @whiteoakbrewing

This expanding brewery in Normal, Illinois is known for its wide range of beers — from award-winning BA stouts and English-style ales on cask to hazy IPAs — as well some friendly taproom vibes and unique events

Read the feature from our fall issue now at IllinoisBrewing.com

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Sep 29

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A rare laid-back weekend included some great yard/garage work beers from the likes of @sketchbookbrew @whiteoakbrewing @keggrovebrewco @destihlbrewery @solemnoathbeer @hiddenhandbeer and @adamsstreetbrewery

A rare laid-back weekend included some great yard/garage work beers from the likes of @sketchbookbrew @whiteoakbrewing @keggrovebrewco @destihlbrewery @solemnoathbeer @hiddenhandbeer and @adamsstreetbrewery

18 1

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Sep 26

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A fun and festive Saturday (today, Sept. 26) is lined up from 12-6 p.m. in Rosemont’s @parkwaybankpark 

Expect live authentic music from Paloma, German dancing by the Society of Danube Swabians Youth Group, plenty of fun competitions, and even live wood carving. The star of the show, however, might just be Crustoberfest, the signature Oktoberfest brew from @crustbrewing 

The Parkway Bank Park venues will be selling food and drinks, dishing up their own fun twist on German cuisine (as well as some of their regular favorites). There will be picnic tables set up, but feel free to bring your own chairs or blankets. Parking for Rosetoberfest is available at the Parkway Bank Park parking garage and is free with validation from any of the park’s venues.

A fun and festive Saturday (today, Sept. 26) is lined up from 12-6 p.m. in Rosemont’s @parkwaybankpark

Expect live authentic music from Paloma, German dancing by the Society of Danube Swabians Youth Group, plenty of fun competitions, and even live wood carving. The star of the show, however, might just be Crustoberfest, the signature Oktoberfest brew from @crustbrewing

The Parkway Bank Park venues will be selling food and drinks, dishing up their own fun twist on German cuisine (as well as some of their regular favorites). There will be picnic tables set up, but feel free to bring your own chairs or blankets. Parking for Rosetoberfest is available at the Parkway Bank Park parking garage and is free with validation from any of the park’s venues.

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Sep 25

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From our big fall issue...

Illinois Brewing Insider @briannoonan — host of the @craftybrewerspod — on the enjoyment of having @brothership_brewing and @black_horizon_brewing so close to home, the English pub ale at @pollyannabrewingcompany and Das Nuts at @imperialoakbrewing as well as the hidden gem in Homewood that is Lassen’s Tap, and discovering the laid-back @syndicatebrewingco in Colorado

“During their Oak-toberfest celebration (THIS WEEKEND!), Imperial Oak has a special tapping of Das Nuts, where they infuse their Das Boot Oktoberfest with toasted pecans, almonds, peanuts and macadamia nuts. If I could only drink one Oktoberfest beer, this would be it.”

Read the spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com

From our big fall issue...

Illinois Brewing Insider @briannoonan — host of the @craftybrewerspod — on the enjoyment of having @brothership_brewing and @black_horizon_brewing so close to home, the English pub ale at @pollyannabrewingcompany and Das Nuts at @imperialoakbrewing as well as the hidden gem in Homewood that is Lassen’s Tap, and discovering the laid-back @syndicatebrewingco in Colorado

“During their Oak-toberfest celebration (THIS WEEKEND!), Imperial Oak has a special tapping of Das Nuts, where they infuse their Das Boot Oktoberfest with toasted pecans, almonds, peanuts and macadamia nuts. If I could only drink one Oktoberfest beer, this would be it.”

Read the spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com

18 1

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Sep 24

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It’s a busy weekend for Oktoberfest events around the area, and plenty of fun is in the works at @chaosbrewclub in Chicago and @imperialoakbrewing in Willow Springs. 

Read all about these two popular festivals and more in our Oktoberfest Inside Scoop section from the new fall issue at IllinoisBrewing.com

It’s a busy weekend for Oktoberfest events around the area, and plenty of fun is in the works at @chaosbrewclub in Chicago and @imperialoakbrewing in Willow Springs.

Read all about these two popular festivals and more in our Oktoberfest Inside Scoop section from the new fall issue at IllinoisBrewing.com

6 1

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Sep 24

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Read the loaded Inside Scoop section from our new fall issue, which includes info on @phasethreebrew and @pollyannabrewingcompany expanding to Chicago, the @lgnsofcraftbeer in Gurnee Oct. 3, the @willrunforbeerchicago 5K on the lakefront Oct. 24, upcoming @streetzartzalliance shows at local breweries, the return of @fobab (aka the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers) in Chicago Nov. 13-14, the @genevaparkdistrict Lights and Flights Craft Beer Festival Dec. 12, a handful of great brewery deals and more 

Read it all in the Inside Scoop section at IllinoisBrewing.com

Read the loaded Inside Scoop section from our new fall issue, which includes info on @phasethreebrew and @pollyannabrewingcompany expanding to Chicago, the @lgnsofcraftbeer in Gurnee Oct. 3, the @willrunforbeerchicago 5K on the lakefront Oct. 24, upcoming @streetzartzalliance shows at local breweries, the return of @fobab (aka the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers) in Chicago Nov. 13-14, the @genevaparkdistrict Lights and Flights Craft Beer Festival Dec. 12, a handful of great brewery deals and more

Read it all in the Inside Scoop section at IllinoisBrewing.com

12 0

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Sep 22

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Did you know the historic @berghoffchicago restaurant  in the heart of the Loop celebrates Oktoberfest all the way through Oct. 18? Celebrate the season with classic German dishes, drink specials, beer brewed in-house by the award-winning @adamsstreetbrewery — as well as live music every Thursday through Sunday from 4:30–7:30 p.m. 17 W. Adams Street in Chicago. TheBerghoff.com

Did you know the historic @berghoffchicago restaurant in the heart of the Loop celebrates Oktoberfest all the way through Oct. 18? Celebrate the season with classic German dishes, drink specials, beer brewed in-house by the award-winning @adamsstreetbrewery — as well as live music every Thursday through Sunday from 4:30–7:30 p.m. 17 W. Adams Street in Chicago. TheBerghoff.com

12 1

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Sep 19

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When @destihlbrewery is pouring samples of six of their favorites at @wehavegreatbeerpr on a Friday night, it marks the start of a good weekend

When @destihlbrewery is pouring samples of six of their favorites at @wehavegreatbeerpr on a Friday night, it marks the start of a good weekend

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Sep 18

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The Oktoberfest fun continues across the state, with @sketchbookbrew in Skokie and Evanston and @goebberts_ Pumpkin Farm in Pingree Grove among the venues hosting some great craft-beer focused events this weekend. 

Check out our Inside Scoop from the new fall issue for details or read about all the fall events at IllinoisBrewing.com

The Oktoberfest fun continues across the state, with @sketchbookbrew in Skokie and Evanston and @goebberts_ Pumpkin Farm in Pingree Grove among the venues hosting some great craft-beer focused events this weekend.

Check out our Inside Scoop from the new fall issue for details or read about all the fall events at IllinoisBrewing.com

38 2

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Sep 14

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From our new fall issue...

Q&A with @pollyannabrewingcompany co-founder, president and CEO Ryan Weidner on acquiring the former @alarmistbrewing space and expanding (with a fifth location) to Chicago’s NW side

“One of our goals is to honor what made Alarmist special while ensuring the brand continues to thrive for both longtime supporters and new customers alike.” 

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com

From our new fall issue...

Q&A with @pollyannabrewingcompany co-founder, president and CEO Ryan Weidner on acquiring the former @alarmistbrewing space and expanding (with a fifth location) to Chicago’s NW side

“One of our goals is to honor what made Alarmist special while ensuring the brand continues to thrive for both longtime supporters and new customers alike.”

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com

18 0

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Sep 12

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Two of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations are happening today at @revbrewchicago in Chicago and @doubleclutchbrewery in Evanston. Swing by on Saturday for plenty of festive fun (and fresh beer, of course). 

Read more about both of these events and much more in our Inside Scoop section of the new fall issue at IllinoisBrewing.com

Two of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations are happening today at @revbrewchicago in Chicago and @doubleclutchbrewery in Evanston. Swing by on Saturday for plenty of festive fun (and fresh beer, of course).

Read more about both of these events and much more in our Inside Scoop section of the new fall issue at IllinoisBrewing.com

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Last Call

Last Call: What was your favorite craft beer experience of the summer?

Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison, WI The question: What was your favorite craft beer experience of the summer? That’s easy for me. It’s always the Great Taste of ...
  • Spotlight on White Oak Brewing in Normal

    By Trent Modglin
    October 2, 2026
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