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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 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

  • Q&A with Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling’s co-founder, president and CEO Ryan Weidner on acquiring the former Alarmist Brewing space and expanding to Chicago’s NW side

  • Inside Scoop: Get ready to celebrate Oktoberfest with some of the state’s best craft breweries

Tag: Alter Brewing

Home›Posts Tagged "Alter Brewing"
  • Group of friends at a long outdoor picnic table, sharing a meal with burgers, fries, and drinks under a canopy.
    Last Call
    By Trent Modglin
    July 20, 2026
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    Last Call: Where are you most looking forward to having a beer outside this summer?

    Uné Année Brewery in Niles The question: Where are you most looking forward to having a beer outside this summer? Uné Année Brewery in Niles. The patio is covered, there’s a stage to see great bands play, plenty of games and bubbles for the kids, etc. It is a very secluded area off the road, ...
    Read More
  • Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, red onion and cheese on a bun, served with fries and a pale beer glass branded 93 Octane Brewery.
    Breweries in Bunches
    By Trent Modglin
    June 5, 2026
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    Breweries in bunches in St. Charles: A handful of fantastically unique breweries call this popular west suburb home

    By Trent Modglin 93 Octane Brewery 1825 Lincoln Highway 93OctaneBrewery.com Details: The name 93 Octane is an ode to the family’s history of running gas stations and convenience stores for more than four decades (If you’ve ever gassed up or snagged a coffee or bag of chips at a Pride Store in the western burbs, ...
    Read More
  • Feature Articles
    By Trent Modglin
    October 13, 2025
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    Movin’ on up: A handful of Illinois breweries are expanding with additional taprooms. And we couldn’t be more excited

    By Trent Modglin Mikerphone adding a Park Ridge location in early 2026 In case you hadn’t heard: Mikerphone is on its way home to NW suburban Park Ridge, where Mike Pallen started home brewing from his house back in 2010. He opened Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village in 2017, and in the eight years ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    December 22, 2024
    2641
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider Dave Zalatoris on the consistency of Dovetail Brewery, Old Irving’s Krampus stouts, mixed packs at Bottles & Cans and San Diego’s best options for beer and fish tacos

    Dovetail Brewery’s barrel loft Dave Zalatoris Host of the Beer in Front podcast Favorite breweries: How many pages do I have for this answer? I would include Dovetail Brewery in any list of recommended breweries, even if I did not live nearby. When I send beer mail to friends across the country, Dovetail’s offerings are ...
    Read More
  • Last Call
    By Trent Modglin
    October 28, 2024
    2377
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    Last Call: From Bufflehead brown ale at Kishwaukee Brewing to enjoying the Great Taste of the Midwest, Friday Night Flights and brewery tours in Bloomington-Normal and St. Charles, we asked craft beer enthusiasts and industry professionals for their favorite beer experiences of the summer

    From our big fall issue: What was your favorite beer experience of the summer?  “The Great Taste of the Midwest festival in August. It was the best weather we’ve had in 10-plus years up there. There’s just so much great beer in the Midwest to celebrate, and it has a somewhat local feel to it. ...
    Read More
  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    February 6, 2024
    4679
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    Spotlight on Alter Brewing + Kitchen: Delicious craft comfort food and a seriously stylish space in Oak Brook Commons highlight this company’s third location

    Alter Brewing + Kitchen 1170 22nd Street Oak Brook, IL 60523 (with additional locations in Downers Grove and St. Charles) AlterBrewing.com Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m. History in short: Three friends — Pete Kosanovich, David Yob and award-winning home brewer Mark Hedrick — opened Alter Brewing in Downers Grove in 2015, and Ken ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    October 27, 2023
    3115
    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 Art History in Geneva, Brother Chimp in North Aurora and Sturdy Shelter in Batavia. Great beer, friendly staff and easy to get to. I love being able to support businesses close ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    October 21, 2023
    2899
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    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 do is just awesome. Little Buddy is great, Ride or Die, their First Pils too.  I love going to Metropolitan as far as taproom and outdoor spaces on the ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    August 14, 2023
    2966
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    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 watching both Alter Brewing and Goldfinger turn into two outstanding breweries in their own right. Goldfinger’s rich tradition and strict discipline in their brewing process produce some of the ...
    Read More
  • Feature Articles
    By Trent Modglin
    August 1, 2023
    2072
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    Spotlight on Chicagoland Brews Cruise: Public and private tours of area breweries with personable guides, generous pours and “beer talks” with the brewers? Count us in

    By Trent Modglin Chicagoland Brews Cruise 331-551-3510 Chicagoland@BrewsCruise.com BrewsCruise.com/Chicagoland The basics: Chicagoland Brews Cruise provides driving public tours, as well as customized private and corporate tours, that introduce guests to the local craft beverage community with stops at three locations. Learning curve: Tour guides and the staff at the various breweries create an informational and ...
    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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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

13 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

5 1

illinoisbrewing

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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

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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

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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

illinoisbrewing

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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

64 0

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Sep 11

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Location: North side of Chicago
Time: Friday evening, 4:54pm
Temp: 79 degrees
Attraction: The family-friendly patio at @halfacrebeer and the fresh shucked oysters and ceviche that @prairiemoonrestaurant is serving up at @spitefulbrewing 
And did we mention the cold beer? Yeah, that too.

Location: North side of Chicago
Time: Friday evening, 4:54pm
Temp: 79 degrees
Attraction: The family-friendly patio at @halfacrebeer and the fresh shucked oysters and ceviche that @prairiemoonrestaurant is serving up at @spitefulbrewing
And did we mention the cold beer? Yeah, that too.

9 1

illinoisbrewing

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Sep 11

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Our big fall issue came out earlier this week and is loaded down with Oktoberfest events, insider opinions, info on @pollyannabrewingcompany and @phasethreebrew expanding to Chicago, brewery spotlights on @whiteoakbrewing @printersrowbrewing and those that call Naperville & Aurora home like @hopvinebrewingcompany @solemnoathbeer @noonwhistlebrewing and @blindcornerbeer as well as plenty of upcoming events, favorite summer craft beer experiences, and much, much more. Check out your local brewery or bottle shop for a copy or read it digitally at IllinoisBrewing.com

Our big fall issue came out earlier this week and is loaded down with Oktoberfest events, insider opinions, info on @pollyannabrewingcompany and @phasethreebrew expanding to Chicago, brewery spotlights on @whiteoakbrewing @printersrowbrewing and those that call Naperville & Aurora home like @hopvinebrewingcompany @solemnoathbeer @noonwhistlebrewing and @blindcornerbeer as well as plenty of upcoming events, favorite summer craft beer experiences, and much, much more. Check out your local brewery or bottle shop for a copy or read it digitally at IllinoisBrewing.com

23 2

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Sep 10

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The Oktoberfest fun begins at the @imperialoakbrewing Brookfield taproom tonight. Check out the Inside Scoop section on IllinoisBrewing.com for details on this and many more Oktoberfest events at local craft breweries

The Oktoberfest fun begins at the @imperialoakbrewing Brookfield taproom tonight. Check out the Inside Scoop section on IllinoisBrewing.com for details on this and many more Oktoberfest events at local craft breweries

9 0

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Sep 10

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Oktoberfest season is upon us, and you can check out the new fall issue of Illinois Brewing and our website for the latest on a ton of craft brewery events in the coming weeks. Kicking off the festivities this weekend are @revbrewchicago in Chicago, @imperialoakbrewing in Brookfield, the historic @berghoffchicago with @adamsstreetbrewery in Chicago’s Loop, and @doubleclutchbrewery in Evanston. 

Check out our Inside Scoop section for info on these many and more at IllinoisBrewing.com

Oktoberfest season is upon us, and you can check out the new fall issue of Illinois Brewing and our website for the latest on a ton of craft brewery events in the coming weeks. Kicking off the festivities this weekend are @revbrewchicago in Chicago, @imperialoakbrewing in Brookfield, the historic @berghoffchicago with @adamsstreetbrewery in Chicago’s Loop, and @doubleclutchbrewery in Evanston.

Check out our Inside Scoop section for info on these many and more at IllinoisBrewing.com

9 0
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IB Insiders

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

Brian Noonan Host of the Crafty Brewers podcast CraftyBrewersPod.com Favorite breweries: I’d love to skip this question because I can’t possibly list all the breweries I love without leaving someone ...
  • 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

    By Trent Modglin
    September 23, 2026
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