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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
  • Brewery spotlight on Springfield’s Engrained Brewing Company

  • Brewer’s Choice: BBGB Brewery’s Bob Salzman

  • Spotlight on Solemn Oath Brewery

  • Inside Scoop: Illinois Craft Beer Week, Beer Under Glass, Summer Passport program, Pint Day and more

  • Illinois Brewing Insider: Fred Sanchez on Hubbard’s Cave barrel-aged offerings, Mikerphone’s orange-vanilla IPA and Beer on the Wall’s selection

Interviews

Home›Featured Post›Category: "Interviews"
  • Interviews
    By Trent Modglin
    April 15, 2024
    1719
    0

    Q&A with Dan Ochwat and Jessica Sedgwick — This Chicago couple co-authored “Beer Hiking Chicago and Beyond,” a new guidebook made up of a curated collection of 30 family-friendly beer hikes

    By Trent Modglin Beer Hiking Chicago and Beyond is available for pre-sale online via Amazon, Target and more.  Q: What was it that initially led you ...
    Read More
  • Interviews
    By Trent Modglin
    December 14, 2023
    1115
    0

    Q&A with Beckie O’Connor about the long-awaited official grand opening of The Vogt House by Banging Gavel Brews in Tinley Park

    The Vogt House by Banging Gavel Brews 17400 Oak Park Ave in Tinley Park BanginGavel.com Banging Gavel can finally see the light! The preservation project of ...
    Read More
  • Interviews
    By Trent Modglin
    September 11, 2023
    1315
    0

    Q&A with Rob Hunter: We sat down with Crust Brewing’s head brewer to discuss his brewing background, a history of Oktoberfest beer, and getting things rolling in Rosemont

    The following Q&A is part of our special digital Oktoberfest issue of Illinois Brewing, with tons of added seasonal content and events. Check it out here.  ...
    Read More
  • Interviews
    By Trent Modglin
    September 30, 2022
    1556
    0

    The Tap List: Beer on the Wall owner Ryan Tracy chats about humble beginnings, selling individual cans and which Illinois breweries have caught his eye

    By Trent Modglin Beer on the Wall locations: 106 Main Street Park Ridge, IL 60068 2 N. Dunton Ave. ​Arlington Heights, IL 60005 105 N. York ...
    Read More
  • Interviews
    By Trent Modglin
    September 9, 2022
    1600
    0

    Q&A with Ray Stout: The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s new executive director chats about the industry surviving Covid, the state’s impressive array of beer, and local breweries having each other’s backs

    Q: You’ve been on the job for a little over nine months now. How have you enjoyed meeting the Guild’s members and getting settled in your ...
    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.

Illinois Brewing magazine

illinoisbrewing

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

The versatile and spacious @guggmanhausbrewing was The versatile and spacious @guggmanhausbrewing was definitely one of our favorite stops during the @brewersassoc annual Craft Brewers Conference this week in Indianapolis

#craftbeer #brewing #IllinoisBrewing #indianabeer #cbc2025
Promoting the magazine and spending a few days wit Promoting the magazine and spending a few days with good friends from @uniontownbrewingco at the annual @brewersassoc CBC, which draws the finest craft beer industry folks from around the country. Enjoyed events at Indy’s @taxmanbrewing @handlebarhangar and @saintjosephbrewery 

The future is bright for beer.
Illinois Brewing’s Beer of the Week: Holey Jeans Illinois Brewing’s Beer of the Week: Holey Jeans from @keggrovebrewco @keggrovemorris 

This crisp, easy-drinking blueberry American wheat ale is the flagship beer from the popular Keg Grove in Bloomington (now with a second location in Morris, IL). Owner Jeff Mroz and his crew originally brewed Holey Jeans for their wives, many of whom didn’t drink beer before, and it ended up spawning an entire fruited wheat series for the brewery. 

Fun fact: It’s named for a friend of theirs who purchased jeans with holes already in them, which they found hilarious.
For you whiskey/bourbon drinkers out there, may we For you whiskey/bourbon drinkers out there, may we highly suggest getting your hands on the @whiskeyacres cask-finished series that involves bourbon and rye aged a minimum of four years and then finished in maple syrup casks (among others). 

You’ll also find their barrels in use by a lot of quality Illinois breweries like @riverlandsbrewingcompany @pollyannabrewingcompany and @ikeandoakbrewing 

#IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer #illinoisbeer #bourbon #DeKalb
Kudos to @crustbrewing in Rosemont for their new v Kudos to @crustbrewing in Rosemont for their new venture, Crust Taproom, located at 3000 W. Irving Park on Chicago’s NW side. Great pizza, great vibes and ohhh… that Vienna lager
Rock solid craft brewery lineup this weekend for t Rock solid craft brewery lineup this weekend for the ninth annual @enjoylonggrove Craft Beer Festival. Live music, food vendors and some of the state’s finest craft beer on hand.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/long-grove-craft-beer-fest-tickets-1141146884049?aff=oddtdtcreator
Once again this year, @ilcraftbeerweek from @ilcra Once again this year, @ilcraftbeerweek from @ilcraftbeer opens with their cornerstone event — Beer Under Glass (aka BUG) on Friday, May 9 — but this year it’s shifting to the gorgeous rooftop of the Harris Theater overlooking Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. 

Guests will go on a statewide craft beer adventure, mingling with brewers from their favorite craft beer spots, sampling timeless favorites, and discovering new treasures. For more information and tickets to Beer Under Glass, head to Illinoisbeer.org/ICBW
Brewer’s Choice: Bob Salzman from @bbgb_beer and Brewer’s Choice: Bob Salzman from @bbgb_beer and @hardwaregastropub on the gorgeous patio to enjoy his beers, the @weihenstephan_official helles lager and the stylistically perfect cask ales from @arthistorybrewing 

“From mild English ales to very dark beers, the cask ales at @arthistorybrewing are always spot-on stylistically and deliciously creamy and smooth. I appreciate beers that are crafted with an eye to historical accuracy and served appropriately, and they seem to always do it right.”

Read the spotlight from our spring issue now at illinoisbrewing.com
Loved hanging out at the @sewhopdbrewery Mug Club Loved hanging out at the @sewhopdbrewery Mug Club party on Monday in Huntley. The Hey, Hey Hazy IPA, tacos from Del Toro and live music from Michael Patterson were top notch. Didn’t win the raffle, but there’s always next time.
From our big spring issue... Spotlight on @solemn From our big spring issue...

Spotlight on @solemnoathbeer (and @hiddenhandbeer ): Going strong after 13 years — with locations in Naperville and Chicago — this perennial favorite has always focused on a diverse beer lineup, European-like community experiences, and a belief that the brand is an “unfinished idea”

Read the feature now at illinoisbrewing.com
Made a run down to the old neighborhood in Chicago Made a run down to the old neighborhood in Chicago to get some swings in with the kid before settling in for the back 9 of The Masters/Rory roller coaster with a @hopewellbrewing Ride or Die pale ale and @maplewoodbrew Crushinator session IPA
Read @ilcraftbeer executive director Ray Stout’s Read @ilcraftbeer executive director Ray Stout’s column from our spring issue 

@ilcraftbeerweek runs May 9-16: Busy times for enjoying good brews with Beer Under Glass, the Summer Passport program, Pint Day and more 

https://illinoisbrewing.com/2025/04/09/inside-scoop-illinois-craft-beer-week-beer-under-glass-summer-passport-program-pint-day-and-more/
From our spring issue — Illinois Brewing Insider From our spring issue — Illinois Brewing Insider Fred Sanchez on a love of @hubbards_cave barrel-aged offerings, @mikerphonebrewing orange-vanilla milkshake IPA and Mambo Italian pilsner, @haymarketbeer Chicago Tavern Beer, the rotating selection and vibe at @theharpandfiddle and @wehavegreatbeerpr and taking a break from California wine country to hit up @firestonewalker 

Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com

#IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #CraftBeer #illinoisbeer
Yes, the content of our spring issue is just that Yes, the content of our spring issue is just that good. Go ahead, try to put it down
Sometimes, when out replenishing your spring issue Sometimes, when out replenishing your spring issue, passing on some of the quality craft beer this state is known for turns out to be a fruitless endeavor. And we’re OK with that

#IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #craftbeer #illinoisbeer
Very excited about this move for @liquidlovebrewin Very excited about this move for @liquidlovebrewing and a nice addition for @brewyards in north suburban Wheeling
Experience the St. Charles Brew Tour through the @ Experience the St. Charles Brew Tour through the @stcalliance 

Nestled in along the Fox River in the far west suburbs, St. Charles is a thriving community of shops, restaurants, events and — yep, craft breweries. Home to six renowned breweries — @alterbeer.stc @93octanebrewery @pollyannabrewingcompany @riverlandsbrewingcompany @brokenbrix_cidery and @dandgbrewing — St. Charles now offers a year-round, self-guided brew tour, making it easy to experience the charming taprooms and well-crafted beers at each one.

Get started today at StCalliance.org/brewtour
Get the Inside Scoop from our new spring issue: @l Get the Inside Scoop from our new spring issue: @linkstaproom & Brewery opening in Chicago this summer, @pilotprojectbrewing adding Wrigleyville location, Beer Under Glass kicks off @ilcraftbeerweek May 9, the @stcalliance Brew Tour, @maplewoodbrew adding a kitchen and much more

Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com

#IllinoisBrewing #craftbeer #DrinkIllinois #illinoisbeer
A dozen Illinois breweries have been working on so A dozen Illinois breweries have been working on something special: 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 is starting April 7th! 

Each brewery has been tasked with designing and building a unique mini golf hole. Combined, they will form a custom 12-hole mini golf course across the greater Chicagoland area. All you have to do is show up and play, post your score and you’ll be entered to win sweet prizes.

Visit all 12 and get entered into the grand prize drawing for even more cool stuff. At the end, players will have the chance to vote for their favorite hole and the brewery will be crowned “Hole Designer of the Year”

For more info, check out: bubblehousebrewing.com/links 

Participating Breweries:
@arthistorybrewing @brotherchimpbrewing @blindcornerbeer @bubblehousebrewing @churchstbrew @mikerphonebrewing @noonwhistlebrewing x 2 @skeletonkeybrewery @solemnoathbeer @soundgrowler @sturdyshelterbrewing
Did you hear? There’s a new venue for the Beer U Did you hear? There’s a new venue for the Beer Under Glass festival from the @ilcraftbeer Guild this year. Yep, on Friday, May 9, you’ll have 200+ beers to sample from across the state — all atop the beautiful @harristheaterchicago rooftop terrace at 205 E. Randolph in Chicago. 

BUG — which kicks off @ilcraftbeerweek — runs 5:30-8:30 p.m. (VIP entry is at 4:30). 
Tickets on sale now at IllinoisBeer.org
General Admission | $55
VIP Early Entry | $65
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Brewery Spotlights

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 “upscale casual” space, farm-to-table ...
  • Brewer’s Choice: BBGB Brewery’s Bob Salzman

    By Trent Modglin
    April 20, 2025
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