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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

  • Spotlight on Brother Chimp Brewing in North Aurora

  • Inside Scoop: This summer, make it a point to get out and enjoy all the great craft breweries Illinois has to offer

  • Inside Scoop: Maplewood’s new kitchen, Beer Night at the Pistol Shrimp baseball game July 10, Lake Effect’s taproom, Streetz Artz Alliance upcoming shows, Tinley Park Ale Trail trolley and more

  • Brewer’s Choice: Burning Bush Brewery’s Scott McElhenie

  • Last Call: What’s the best meal you’ve had recently at an Illinois brewery?

Inside Scoop

Home›Category: "Inside Scoop"
  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    July 15, 2025
    5
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    Inside Scoop: This summer, make it a point to get out and enjoy all the great craft breweries Illinois has to offer

    By Ray Stout Executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild In towns big and small, from Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods to rural Main Streets, Illinois craft ...
    Read More
  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    July 7, 2025
    159
    0

    Inside Scoop: Maplewood’s new kitchen, Beer Night at the Pistol Shrimp baseball game July 10, Lake Effect’s taproom, Streetz Artz Alliance upcoming shows, Tinley Park Ale Trail trolley and more

    Maplewood Brewery’s new smash burger Maplewood Brewery & Distillery unveils new kitchen and expanded lounge at their Chicago taproom A new lounge and kitchen were officially ...
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  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    May 16, 2025
    430
    0

    Inside Scoop: Upcoming events like the Will County Craft Beer & Bourbon Fest, Streetz Artz Alliance artisan markets, Keg Grove’s BBQ Smoke Show and more

    Will County Craft Beer and Bourbon Fest May 31 Tickets for the fourth annual Will County Beer & Bourbon Fest, proudly presented by Blue Ribbon Products, ...
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  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    April 9, 2025
    586
    0

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

    Illinois Craft Beer Week runs May 9-16: Busy times for enjoying good brews with Beer Under Glass, the Summer Passport program, Pint Day and more By ...
    Read More
  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    April 2, 2025
    1267
    0

    Inside Scoop: Links Taproom & Brewery opening in Chicago this summer, Pilot Project adding Wrigleyville location, Beer Under Glass kicks off Craft Beer Week May 9, St. Charles Brew Tour, and much more

    By Trent Modglin Links Taproom & Brewery set to take over On Tour Brewing space in Chicago’s West Town this summer Links Taproom, a popular craft ...
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  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    February 5, 2025
    554
    0

    Inside Scoop: Brews on Blvd beer festival Feb. 8, Westmont Winter Beer Festival Feb. 15, Diversey House opens, Lake County February Flavor Festival and Illinois brewery deals not to be missed

    Brews on Blvd craft beer festival BREWS ON BLVD at Hollywood Blvd Cinema is Feb. 8 Snag your tickets now for BREWS ON BLVD, the ninth ...
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  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    January 31, 2025
    614
    0

    Inside Scoop: Illinois craft brewers are embracing the future of hemp-infused beverages

    By Ray Stout Executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild In recent years, intoxicating hemp beverages — drinks infused with Delta-8 and Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ...
    Read More
  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    January 3, 2025
    592
    0

    Inside Scoop: Lake County’s February Flavor Festival, Westmont Winter Beer Festival, Suncatcher Brewing opens in Chicago, expansion for Crust Brewing and Middle Brow, and more

    Mickey Finn’s in Libertyville is part of the Lake County Flavor Festival Lake County February Flavor Festival You’re not going to want to miss the second ...
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  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    November 3, 2024
    736
    0

    Inside Scoop: FoBAB, the esteemed Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer, returns to Chicago Nov. 22-23

    By Ray Stout Executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Get ready for an unforgettable experience at this year’s Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer ...
    Read More
  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    September 12, 2024
    972
    0

    Inside Scoop: Upcoming Oktoberfest brewery events across Chicagoland, Will Run for Beer 5K, Midwest Coast’s 5-year anniversary party and more

    The following is a paid promotional opportunity from the fall issue of Illinois Brewing, which is out now and available at more than 400 locations across ...
    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.

illinoisbrewing

Stylish magazine, website and e-mail newsletter focused on the vibrant craft beer scene in Illinois. Sponsored by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild
From the Inside Scoop section of our summer issue: From the Inside Scoop section of our summer issue: The long-awaited taproom for @lakeeffectbrewing is finally a reality in Chicago’s Logan Square, and the patio is a good one. Grab a copy of Illinois Brewing while you’re there, and a tasty Watermelon Wheat
The talented team at @phasethreebrew knocked one o The talented team at @phasethreebrew knocked one out of the park with this big, bold version of Tonal Range, an 8% Northeast Double IPA. Seen here enjoyed alongside the Led Zeppelin cover band Kashmir. #IllinoisBrewing #DrinkIllinois #Zeppelin
It’s official… Imagine us having to keep this It’s official… Imagine us having to keep this little secret for most of the last year, especially when the second location will be walking distance from our house. Congrats Mike and the talented crew at @mikerphonebrewing … we can’t wait to be your first customer. Look for a Q&A about this fun expansion in the fall issue of Illinois Brewing
The Inside Scoop from our big summer issue: The @m The Inside Scoop from our big summer issue: The @maplewoodbrew new kitchen, Beer Night at the @pistolshrimpbaseball game July 10, @lakeeffectbrewing new long-awaited taproom, Streetz Artz Alliance @streetzmobeatz upcoming shows, the Tinley Park Ale Trail trolley, @stcalliance Brew Tour, @opmicrobrew festival and more Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com
From our Brewer’s Choice section in new summer i From our Brewer’s Choice section in new summer issue: Q: What do you have coming up that people should know about? @burningbushbrewery head brewer Scott McElhenie: We recently brewed Da Pope, an American mild ale, in honor of the new pope, Pope Leo XIV, who is a Chicago native. People immediately loved the name, but were surprised to realize how much they also enjoyed the beer. We workshopped Da Pope as a lighter-bodied option that still offers notes more commonly found in darker styles to give some variety over the summer. It makes me laugh a little every time somebody says, “It’s actually good!” as if we would make a beer that didn’t taste good just for a cheesy name. Read the spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com
Instagram post 18399803860117341 Instagram post 18399803860117341
The Streetz Artz Alliance Summer Art Bazaar return The Streetz Artz Alliance Summer Art Bazaar returns to Tinley Park’s @flipsidebrewing this Sunday, July 6 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The event with @streetzmobeatz will showcase 16 talented local artists in an intimate and vibrant setting inside the brewery’s taproom, perfectly paired with house-made smash burgers and fresh craft beer. Shoppers can expect a wide and unique range of offerings — from handcrafted hot sauces, crocheted creatures, and original artwork to houseplants, tarot readings, skincare products, handmade jewelry, coffee, candles and even giant cookies.
Oh yes. The expansion continues. Oh yes. The expansion continues.
From our new summer issue... Brewer’s Choice: @b From our new summer issue... Brewer’s Choice: @burningbushbrewery head brewer Scott McElhenie on @russianriverbrewingofficial living up to the hype, the @sturdyshelterbrewing sensational Paddlewheel porter, and naming a popular new beer after the Pope Leo XIV “I just had a couple beers from Sturdy Shelter Brewing that really impressed me. … I have had a few porters in my life, but the Paddlewheel Porter was extraordinarily well crafted. The vanilla is well balanced with the darker malts so that you aren’t left with an overwhelming sweetness in the beer.” Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com
If you haven’t tried the menu at @industryales i If you haven’t tried the menu at @industryales in downtown Chicago yet, prepare to be blown away. Be on the lookout for our Breweries in Bunches feature on the four Loop breweries in our new summer issue.
Well, we thought we were doing a decent job with t Well, we thought we were doing a decent job with the magazine, but it seems Illinois Brewing is so entertaining, it can even distract people from enjoying the likes of Malibu Beach and Joshua Tree National Park in California.
From @oldirvingbrewing burgers and the @uneannee c From @oldirvingbrewing burgers and the @uneannee cave monster sandwich to @crustbrewing fish tacos and @morebrewing Indian dishes, we asked readers and industry professionals: What’s the best meal you’ve had recently at an Illinois brewery? Read the Last Call section now at IllinoisBrewing.com
Quick family vacation to Southern California and c Quick family vacation to Southern California and coming away impressed with the San Diego craft beer scene. Favorites so far include: @moderntimesbeer Orderville hazy IPA (winner so far), @latitude33brew Brewing’s blood orange IPA, @seekbeerco That Adds Up hazy IPA, @coronadobrewing Weekend Vibes IPA, @emboldenbeerco Industry blonde ale and @burgeonbeer Carlsbad Crush pale ale.
Read our spotlight on @suncatcherbrewing — who h Read our spotlight on @suncatcherbrewing — who happens to be hosting a Summer Solstice party today. “Suncatcher is all about going back to the beers I was stoked and inspired by when I was first learning about beer as a younger person… and keeping that feeling going.” — Co-owner Matt Gallagher Read the feature now at IllinoisBrewing.com
From the archives: Spotlight on @onelakebrewing — 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. And did we mention they have an awesome rooftop? “We try to brew beer that’s true to the region it came from. We bring in ingredients from all over the world and use them in their purest form. … We even adjust the water chemistry too, in order to mimic the environment of the local brewers.” — Shawn Stevens Read the brewery spotlight at IllinoisBrewing.com
Double hazy IPA from @mikerphonebrewing on the pat Double hazy IPA from @mikerphonebrewing on the patio while playing a “candy Monopoly” my kid created on his own? Not a bad way to spend a summer evening.
Had a great time at the annual @illinoisbrewing go Had a great time at the annual @illinoisbrewing golf scramble earlier this week — with a tasty variety of beers from the likes of @hopbutcher @midwestcoastbrewing @blindcornerbeer @werkforcebrewing @reserveartisanales @alterbeer and more. Also swung by for an interview with @brotherchimpbrewing for a feature in the summer issue. Now that’s a day.
Thanks to @maplewoodbrew for the invite earlier th Thanks to @maplewoodbrew for the invite earlier this week to get a sneak peek of their new kitchen and expanded taproom in Logan Square. Stellar smash burger, Pillowy Mellows NEIPA and In Dark Trees dark Czech lager. And a bottle of their finest bourbon to go. Look for more on Maplewood in the upcoming summer issue
Fun event alert: The fourth annual STC Six collabo Fun event alert: The fourth annual STC Six collaboration launch party is happening on Wednesday, June 18 at 5 p.m. at Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling in downtown St. Charles. The STC Six is made up of the following St. Charles breweries: @93octanebrewery @alterbeer.stc @brokenbrix_cidery @pollyannabrewingcompany @riverlandsbrewingcompany and D&G. The breweries invite everyone to join in on the celebration for a great cause with the first opportunity to taste the new beer — a West Coast pilsner with notes of citrus, tropical fruit and a touch of pine. This year’s collaboration supports the important mission of Support Over Stigma, a nonprofit helping veterans and first responders. For every beer and limited-edition glassware sold, $1 will be donated to the cause. Can’t make it to the event but want to contribute? You can visit any of the participating breweries to try the beer and purchase limited-edition glassware. More information: STCSix.com
Nice patio session catching up with old friends la Nice patio session catching up with old friends last night at @halfacrebeer on Chicago’s far north side. Really dug the Nebula Double Daisy Cutter hazy IPA, Persephone pomegranate kolsch and Second Setting imperial IPA. New supply of Illinois Brewing is there now too. Summer issue out soon.
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Brewery Spotlights

Spotlight on Brother Chimp Brewing in North Aurora

Spotlight on Brother Chimp Brewing 1059 W. Orchard Road North Aurora, IL BrotherChimpBrewing.com History in short: Steve Newman is not your typical brewery owner. Although he is a life long ...

  • Inside Scoop: This summer, make it a point to get out and enjoy all the great craft breweries Illinois has to offer

    By Trent Modglin
    July 15, 2025
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