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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
  • Events
  • Breweries in Bunches: Exploring a quartet of versatile craft breweries that call the Naperville-Aurora corridor home

  • Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Larry Bolton from Blind Pig Brewing in Champaign

  • Spotlight on Streetz Artz Alliance: It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination

  • Illinois Brewing Insider Hannah Gilmore, assistant taproom manager at Begyle Brewing

  • Inside Scoop: The highly anticipated Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB) returns to Chicago Nov. 13-14

Tag: craft beer

Home›Posts Tagged "craft beer" (Page 3)
  • Interviews
    By Trent Modglin
    December 14, 2023
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    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 the historic Vogt House in Tinley Park that started back in 2017 is complete, and BGB is opening its doors, officially, by trotting out a lineup of its own ...
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  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    December 5, 2023
    4896
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    Spotlight on One Allegiance Brewing: Zack Judickas’ entrepreneurial spirit, patience and creativity have made this SW suburban brewery and beer garden a true destination

    One Allegiance Brewing 10215 S. Harlem Ave. Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 OneAllegiance.com Tuesday-Thursday: 4-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday: Noon-1 a.m. Sunday: Noon-11 p.m. History in short: Dating back to his college days at the University of Illinois-Chicago, Zack Judickas always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur. As breweries were popping up left and right throughout Chicago ...
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  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    November 5, 2023
    4763
    1

    Spotlight on Crust Brewing: This modern, inviting hotspot in the heart of Rosemont’s entertainment district is known for its handcrafted food, cocktails and German-inspired beer

    By Trent Modglin Crust Brewing 5500 Park Place in the Parkway Bank Park entertainment district Rosemont, IL 60018 CrustBrewing.com Sunday-Wednesday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday: 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. History in short: While the Hofbrauhaus had been a staple in Rosemont’s Parkway Bank Park since 2013, ownership decided in 2021 ...
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  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    November 1, 2023
    2066
    0

    It’s FoBAB time Nov. 3 & 4: Come enjoy this one-of-a-kind festival and competition that celebrates the innovation and craftsmanship of barrel-aged brewing

    By Ray Stout Executive director of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild What the heck is FoBAB? FoBAB is the Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer. Hosted by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, FoBAB is a one-of-a-kind celebration of the innovation and craftsmanship that defines barrel-aged brewing. In fact, Fobab is North America’s largest and most prestigious ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    October 27, 2023
    3192
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    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 ...
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  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    October 2, 2023
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    Spotlight on Two Hound Red: West suburban Glen Ellyn is home to this visually striking brewery with an innovative menu and a focus on lighter, simpler flavors of beer

    Two Hound Red Brewing Co. 486 Pennsylvania Ave. in Glen Ellyn 2HoundRed.com Tuesday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday: 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. History in short: Head brewer Steve Woertendyke’s brewing career got off to a rather inauspicious start to be sure. Stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington, he would drive around Washington and ...
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  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    June 27, 2023
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    Brewer’s Choice: Old Irving Brewing’s Trevor Rose-Hamblin on discovering Pipeworks’ dortmunder, growing his own lager series, and a delightful cocktail-inspired sour from MORE Brewing

    Trevor Rose-Hamblin Director of brewing operations/co-founder at Old Irving Brewing Co. 4419 W. Montrose Ave. in Chicago, IL OldIrvingBrewing.com The last really good beer I drank was… in a non-traditional drinking establishment. Pipeworks Brewing was kind enough to allow me to wash kegs for a few hours since our keg washer was down. They have a ...
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  • Feature Articles
    By Trent Modglin
    March 3, 2023
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    Small-business spotlight on Leaders Beverage: The experts in draft system designs, maintenance and beverage consultancy 

    Leaders Beverage 312-497-5602 LeadersBeverage.com History in short: Leaders Beverage was founded in 2012 by Drew Larson, a retired major and aeromedical Blackhawk helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army who, at the time, was serving as the beverage director at Hopleaf, a renowned beer bar in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. Illinois law states that bars ...
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  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    February 10, 2023
    6703
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    Spotlight on Scorched Earth Brewing: Head to NW suburban Algonquin for this cozy taproom, cavernous event space, live music and a variety of tasty brews (donuts, anyone?)

    Scorched Earth Brewing Company 203 Berg Street Algonquin, IL 60102 ScorchedEarthBrewing.com Wednesday: 3-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 3-10 p.m. Saturday: 12-10 p.m. Sunday: 12-7 p.m. History in short: Greg Doyen was fully settled into a job in the corporate financial world, but he always had an itch to own a brewery and, like so many others out ...
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  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    January 30, 2023
    7149
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    Spotlight on Door 4 Brewing Co. — This Decatur favorite offers a wide variety of beer styles, axe throwing, a popular stage, and even its own food truck

    Door 4 Brewing Co. 1214 W. Cerro Gordo Street Decatur, IL 62522 Door4Brewing.com Monday: 3-9 p.m. Thursday: 3-9 p.m. Friday: 3-10 p.m. Saturday: 1-10 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. History in short: Located in Decatur in central Illinois, Door 4, which celebrated its fifth anniversary in December, was founded “with an approach to foster creativity, ...
    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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Nov 13

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Beer of the week:
Lincoln Anniversary Stout 4
13% ABV
@hopbutcher 
This Friday marks the four-year anniversary at Hop Butcher for the World’s Lincoln Avenue brewery, taproom and retail shop in Chicago. To commemorate the occasion, they’re releasing a big barrel-aged stout with two threads that spent 24 months inside freshly-emptied Four Roses bourbon barrels and 24 months inside freshly emptied New Riff rye whiskey barrels. Cans are available starting Friday, and 5- and 10-ounce pours will be flowing in the taproom. HopButcher.com

Beer of the week:
Lincoln Anniversary Stout 4
13% ABV
@hopbutcher
This Friday marks the four-year anniversary at Hop Butcher for the World’s Lincoln Avenue brewery, taproom and retail shop in Chicago. To commemorate the occasion, they’re releasing a big barrel-aged stout with two threads that spent 24 months inside freshly-emptied Four Roses bourbon barrels and 24 months inside freshly emptied New Riff rye whiskey barrels. Cans are available starting Friday, and 5- and 10-ounce pours will be flowing in the taproom. HopButcher.com

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Nov 13

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Who are you most looking forward to seeing at @fobab — aka the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers — tonight and tomorrow? Are you a stout specialist, a lager lover or a Belgian backer? We'll be there today, camera (and beer sample in hand, ready for photos and interviews, so don't forget to say hi. You may find yourself in the upcoming winter issue of Illinois Brewing. And FYI, a few tickets are still available for Friday (5-10 p.m.) and Saturday (noon-5 p.m.) sessions at Credit 1 Arena at FoBAB.com

Who are you most looking forward to seeing at @fobab — aka the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers — tonight and tomorrow? Are you a stout specialist, a lager lover or a Belgian backer? We`ll be there today, camera (and beer sample in hand, ready for photos and interviews, so don`t forget to say hi. You may find yourself in the upcoming winter issue of Illinois Brewing. And FYI, a few tickets are still available for Friday (5-10 p.m.) and Saturday (noon-5 p.m.) sessions at Credit 1 Arena at FoBAB.com

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Nov 13

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Breweries in Bunches: Exploring a quartet of versatile craft breweries — @blindcornerbeer @solemnoathbeer @noonwhistlebrewing and @hopvinebrewingcompany — that call the Naperville-Aurora corridor home 

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

Editor’s note: Sadly, it was announced recently, after our fall issue was distributed, that Nov. 25 will be the final day in business for Hopvine, as the owners have chosen to retire after 14 years.

Breweries in Bunches: Exploring a quartet of versatile craft breweries — @blindcornerbeer @solemnoathbeer @noonwhistlebrewing and @hopvinebrewingcompany — that call the Naperville-Aurora corridor home

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

Editor’s note: Sadly, it was announced recently, after our fall issue was distributed, that Nov. 25 will be the final day in business for Hopvine, as the owners have chosen to retire after 14 years.

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Nov 11

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Replenishing our fall issue through the north burbs and a downpour "forced" us to stop in to @macushlabeer in Glenview for a Cowboy Shoes hazy IPA and Broken Shovel schwarzbier ... and continue working on our new events/promotions calendar app that's launching in a few days. Get ready, beer fans.

Replenishing our fall issue through the north burbs and a downpour "forced" us to stop in to @macushlabeer in Glenview for a Cowboy Shoes hazy IPA and Broken Shovel schwarzbier ... and continue working on our new events/promotions calendar app that`s launching in a few days. Get ready, beer fans.

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Nov 9

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It’s @fobab time this weekend, and the brewery list put together by the @ilcraftbeer looks better than ever. A few tickets remain to one of our favorite events anywhere. Get yours today at FoBAB.com

It’s @fobab time this weekend, and the brewery list put together by the @ilcraftbeer looks better than ever. A few tickets remain to one of our favorite events anywhere. Get yours today at FoBAB.com

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Nov 7

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From our current fall issue...

Brewer’s Choice: Larry Bolton from @blindpigbrewery on developing a California connection, settling in for a @cruzblancachi farmhouse corn-brewed ale after @fobab and the release of four unique holiday beers at his @blindpigbrewpub 

Read the spotlight here: IllinoisBrewing.com

From our current fall issue...

Brewer’s Choice: Larry Bolton from @blindpigbrewery on developing a California connection, settling in for a @cruzblancachi farmhouse corn-brewed ale after @fobab and the release of four unique holiday beers at his @blindpigbrewpub

Read the spotlight here: IllinoisBrewing.com

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Nov 6

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When you’re at a midday business networking event and you run into an old friend from @halfacrebeer

When you’re at a midday business networking event and you run into an old friend from @halfacrebeer

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Nov 5

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From the Illinois Brewing Insider archives...

Favorite breweries: "Breweries don’t become my favorites simply because they make good beer in a variety of styles (although those are two of the most important criteria), but because the people are fun and they make me feel welcome and comfortable there. My “home base” is @hailstormbrewing in Tinley Park, but other favorites in the general vicinity are @flipsidebrewing @imperialoakbrewing and @pollyannabrewingcompany 

Farther afield, I’m a big fan of @dovetailbrewery (because I’m a big fan of smoked beers), and you just can’t go wrong with @revbrewchicago 

I’m also unceasingly impressed by the @goldfingerbeer dedication to brewing world-class lager beer styles. And I wish @hopdistrictbrewing was closer to home." 

— @martynachel the founder and president of the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame

Read more insight from Marty here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2026/08/22/illinois-brewing-insider-marty-nachel-founder-of-the-american-craft-beer-hall-of-fame/

From the Illinois Brewing Insider archives...

Favorite breweries: "Breweries don’t become my favorites simply because they make good beer in a variety of styles (although those are two of the most important criteria), but because the people are fun and they make me feel welcome and comfortable there. My “home base” is @hailstormbrewing in Tinley Park, but other favorites in the general vicinity are @flipsidebrewing @imperialoakbrewing and @pollyannabrewingcompany

Farther afield, I’m a big fan of @dovetailbrewery (because I’m a big fan of smoked beers), and you just can’t go wrong with @revbrewchicago

I’m also unceasingly impressed by the @goldfingerbeer dedication to brewing world-class lager beer styles. And I wish @hopdistrictbrewing was closer to home."

— @martynachel the founder and president of the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame

Read more insight from Marty here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2026/08/22/illinois-brewing-insider-marty-nachel-founder-of-the-american-craft-beer-hall-of-fame/

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Nov 2

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Replenishing our fall issue through the north side of Chicago and couldn’t be happier to see patrons at @hopbutcher and @burningbushbrewery enjoying the fresh air (and fresh craft beer) on Nov. 1

Replenishing our fall issue through the north side of Chicago and couldn’t be happier to see patrons at @hopbutcher and @burningbushbrewery enjoying the fresh air (and fresh craft beer) on Nov. 1

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Oct 30

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Soaking up the last of this near-summer weather with a @dovetailbrewery kolsch at @tinytappandcafe on the Chicago Riverwalk

Soaking up the last of this near-summer weather with a @dovetailbrewery kolsch at @tinytappandcafe on the Chicago Riverwalk

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Oct 28

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

Spotlight on @streetzartzalliance — It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination

“Today, almost 15 years in, our goal remains pretty simple: find new talent, give artists opportunities to grow and succeed, support the breweries we work with, and build a real sense of community among our artists, vendors and patrons.” — Founder John Streetz 

Read the Q&A now at IllinoisBrewing.com

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

Spotlight on @streetzartzalliance — It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination

“Today, almost 15 years in, our goal remains pretty simple: find new talent, give artists opportunities to grow and succeed, support the breweries we work with, and build a real sense of community among our artists, vendors and patrons.” — Founder John Streetz

Read the Q&A now at IllinoisBrewing.com

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Oct 25

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Did you know that @kaisertigerchicago in Chicago’s West Loop has a free shuttle to all Blackhawks and Bulls games (and a lot of concerts)? We did. We also know they have great food, a huge patio and a stellar beer list with local Illinois brews from the likes of @arthistorybrewing @oldirvingbrewing @goldfingerbeer @midwestcoastbrewing @hopewellbrewing and more.

Did you know that @kaisertigerchicago in Chicago’s West Loop has a free shuttle to all Blackhawks and Bulls games (and a lot of concerts)? We did. We also know they have great food, a huge patio and a stellar beer list with local Illinois brews from the likes of @arthistorybrewing @oldirvingbrewing @goldfingerbeer @midwestcoastbrewing @hopewellbrewing and more.

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Oct 22

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Illinois Brewing Insider Hannah Gilmore — the assistant taproom manager at @begylebrewing — on great recent beers from @halfacrebeer @hopbutcher and @firestonewalker as well as her affection for the vibes at @longroomchicago and @thehopleaf … and family escapes to enjoy Maine’s impressive beer scene (we’re looking at you @mainebeerco @fogtownbrewing and @oronobrewingcompany 

Read the spotlight now at illinoisbrewing.com

Illinois Brewing Insider Hannah Gilmore — the assistant taproom manager at @begylebrewing — on great recent beers from @halfacrebeer @hopbutcher and @firestonewalker as well as her affection for the vibes at @longroomchicago and @thehopleaf … and family escapes to enjoy Maine’s impressive beer scene (we’re looking at you @mainebeerco @fogtownbrewing and @oronobrewingcompany

Read the spotlight now at illinoisbrewing.com

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RECENT POSTS

Breweries in Bunches

Breweries in Bunches: Exploring a quartet of versatile craft breweries that call the Naperville-Aurora corridor ...

Blind Corner Brewery By Trent Modglin Blind Corner Brewery 1655 Quincy Avenue, #155 in Naperville BlindCornerBrewery.com The details: The trio of Eric Hobbs (COO), JP Vander Veen (brewing and operations) ...
  • Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Larry Bolton from Blind Pig Brewing in Champaign

    By Trent Modglin
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