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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
  • Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Keg Grove Brewing Company’s Jeff Mroz

  • Last Call: Where are you most looking forward to having a beer outside this summer?

  • Spotlight on Adams Street Brewery in Chicago’s historic Berghoff restaurant

  • Illinois Brewing Insider Paul McCann, head of production at Uné Année Brewery

  • Underrated brewery patios and beer gardens that are perfect for a cold beer this summer

Tag: Goldfinger Brewing

Home›Posts Tagged "Goldfinger Brewing"
  • Outdoor patio with people dining near a mural of a large black bird on a brick wall, string lights overhead, and wooden barrels.
    IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    July 3, 2026
    263
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    Illinois Brewing Insider Paul McCann, head of production at Uné Année Brewery

    Uné Année Brewery in Niles Paul McCann Head of Production at Uné Année Brewery in Niles Favorite breweries: My favorite brewery would have to be New Glarus when all is said and done. Their wide range of styles and ability to package so well is impressive to me. I’ve had five-year-old beers from them that have tasted ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    April 3, 2026
    581
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider Don Hardy, founder of the popular Chicago Area Microbreweries Facebook group

    Whiskey Hill Brewing Co. Don Hardy Founder of the Chicago Area Microbreweries group on Facebook Favorite breweries: With running a Facebook group with almost 20,000 members, this is a really difficult question. Whiskey Hill Brewing Co. is one for sure since I live in Westmont and I started this group 13 years ago, when it ...
    Read More
  • Last Call
    By Trent Modglin
    September 24, 2025
    4208
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    Last Call: What’s your favorite Oktoberfest or fall beer?

    The following version of our magazine’s popular Last Call section is from a special digital Oktoberfest issue we published in early September. Check it out here. The question: What’s your favorite Oktoberfest or fall beer? Every Oktoberfest beer is a good beer! The ones I make sure to grab every year are Lager Town from ...
    Read More
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    September 23, 2025
    1499
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Fox Republic Brewing’s Kevin Hopkins

    Fox Republic Brewing Kevin Hopkins Fox Republic Brewing Yorkville, IL FoxRepublicBrewing.com The last really good beer I drank was… Goldfinger Brewing‘s Summer Lager, which was especially spectacular this year. I drank a few of them over their fifth Lagerversary party while my band, Beer and Loathing, was closing out Saturday evening. It is delicious, balanced ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    July 18, 2025
    1894
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Beer on the Wall’s Elmhurst GM Luciano Fiore

    Luciano Fiore GM at Beer on the Wall in Elmhurst 105 N. York Street WeHaveGreatBeer.com Favorite breweries: This is a pretty tough question to answer, as we are extremely spoiled for good suds here in Illinois. Some of the names that come to mind for me are Maplewood, Mikerphone, Half Acre, Roaring Table, Goldfinger and Art ...
    Read More
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    June 6, 2025
    2683
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Goldfinger Brewing’s Tom Beckmann

    Tom Beckmann Goldfinger Brewing Company Downers Grove, IL GoldfingerBrewing.com The last really good beer I drank was… The American Zoigl brewed by Schilling Beer Co. out of New Hampshire. It is part of a collaborative project we started a few years ago, where breweries around the country share the same base recipe for a lager ...
    Read More
  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    February 25, 2025
    5331
    0

    Spotlight on Old Irving Brewing Company: This award-winning favorite on Chicago’s NW side boasts a welcoming vibe and a seriously scrumptious menu. And did we mention they’re expanding?

    Old Irving Brewing Co. 4419 W. Montrose Ave. in Chicago OldIrvingBrewing.com Monday-Thursday: Noon-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday: Noon-midnight Sunday: Noon-10 p.m. History in short: Like so many others, the founders of Old Irving began brewing beer in their garages with aspirations of making a living at it and creating something for the community to share. Having just ...
    Read More
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    January 20, 2025
    2035
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    Brewer’s Choice: Sketchbook Brewing’s Jay Dogen on Art History and Goldfinger setting the bar for lagers, discovering the Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver, and being proud of Sketchbook’s winter warmer and American stout

    Jay Dogen Assistant brewer at Sketchbook Brewing in Skokie, IL SketchbookBrewing.com The last really good beer I drank was… out in Denver for the Great American Beer Festival. We swung by the Bierstadt Lagerhaus, a German-style, lager-only brewery, and we tried their Oktoberfest, pilsner and helles lager. We had liters of all three, and all ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    January 31, 2024
    2867
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Black Lung Brewing’s Josh Grubbs on Mikerphone’s quality hazy IPAs, his own barrel-aged Belgian quad, Denver’s Bierstadt Lagerhaus and expanding one’s palate at Beer Bazaar

    Josh Grubbs President and head brewer Black Lung Brewing 2217 N. IL Route 83 in Round Lake Beach 115 Nippersink Road in Fox Lake BlackLungBrewing.com Favorite breweries: Years before I ever considered opening a brewery of my own, I was a huge fan of them. I’ve been to a couple hundred breweries around the country and had ...
    Read More
  • Last Call
    By Trent Modglin
    January 17, 2024
    2438
    0

    Last call: From Revolution’s Straight Jacket barrel-aged barleywine to Odell’s Isolation Ale and Pig Minds’ Joe Daddy coffee stout, we asked for your favorite winter beer

    Last Call from our winter 2024 issue: What is your favorite winter beer? As someone who generally prefers double IPAs and barrel-aged stouts, I’ve got to say  right now I’m really digging Flipped the Switch, our imperial dark Czech lager, which has some real depth with the maltiness and utilizes chocolate rye. It has some ...
    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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Jul 24

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Plans this weekend? @streetzartzalliance is hosting a Summerween Market at @soundgrowler Brewing Co. this Saturday, July 25

Head to Tinley Park from 12-5 p.m. for one seriously spooky artisan market — where Halloween meets summer vibes. Expect eerie art, creepy crafts, and ghoulishly good items from a lineup of local makers.

Come in costume (or not), grab a cold beer and celebrate the spooky season a little early with the folks from Streetz Artz Alliance.

Plans this weekend? @streetzartzalliance is hosting a Summerween Market at @soundgrowler Brewing Co. this Saturday, July 25

Head to Tinley Park from 12-5 p.m. for one seriously spooky artisan market — where Halloween meets summer vibes. Expect eerie art, creepy crafts, and ghoulishly good items from a lineup of local makers.

Come in costume (or not), grab a cold beer and celebrate the spooky season a little early with the folks from Streetz Artz Alliance.
...

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Jul 23

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From our big summer issue available everywhere...

Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Jeff Mroz from @keggrovebrewco on being impressed with @whiteoakbrewing and @industryales … churning out an assortment of popular fruited wheat beers … and his Christmas in July celebration coming up July 25

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com

From our big summer issue available everywhere...

Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Jeff Mroz from @keggrovebrewco on being impressed with @whiteoakbrewing and @industryales … churning out an assortment of popular fruited wheat beers … and his Christmas in July celebration coming up July 25

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com
...

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Jul 23

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Just over a week to go until Sausage Fest at @buffalocreekbrewing in historic Long Grove. Mark your calendar for the “Wurst type of festival” on July 31 (4-9pm) and Aug. 1 (1-9pm). Lots happening, including…

🌭European Sausages
🥨Giant Soft Pretzels
🍻New Beer Releases
📯Live German Music 
🍺Steinholding Contests
✌️German Games

Just over a week to go until Sausage Fest at @buffalocreekbrewing in historic Long Grove. Mark your calendar for the “Wurst type of festival” on July 31 (4-9pm) and Aug. 1 (1-9pm). Lots happening, including…

🌭European Sausages
🥨Giant Soft Pretzels
🍻New Beer Releases
📯Live German Music
🍺Steinholding Contests
✌️German Games
...

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Jul 21

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Last Call: Where are you most looking forward to having a beer outside this summer?

I’m biased to a cold beer in the driveway right outside of our Huntley space after a long shift, but other than that, the @plankroadtaproom in Elgin has an amazing outdoor space.” — David Ziebell, head brewer at @morebrewing 

“ @hailstormbrewing in Tinley Park. Firepit crackling under the moon on a chilly summer night, and a delicious Chili Haze IPA in my hand.” — Kara Severson

Read the entire spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com

Last Call: Where are you most looking forward to having a beer outside this summer?

I’m biased to a cold beer in the driveway right outside of our Huntley space after a long shift, but other than that, the @plankroadtaproom in Elgin has an amazing outdoor space.” — David Ziebell, head brewer at @morebrewing

“ @hailstormbrewing in Tinley Park. Firepit crackling under the moon on a chilly summer night, and a delicious Chili Haze IPA in my hand.” — Kara Severson

Read the entire spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com
...

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Jul 21

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From the @uneannee patio in Niles and @psbrewingco riverside dock in Rockford to live music outside at @destihlbrewery in Normal and sidewalk dinners at @theperchchicago — we asked readers for the spots they’re most looking forward to still having a beer outside at this summer

Read the Last Call section from our big summer issue now at illinoisbrewing.com

From the @uneannee patio in Niles and @psbrewingco riverside dock in Rockford to live music outside at @destihlbrewery in Normal and sidewalk dinners at @theperchchicago — we asked readers for the spots they’re most looking forward to still having a beer outside at this summer

Read the Last Call section from our big summer issue now at illinoisbrewing.com
...

16 1

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Jul 17

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When you find yourself in South Florida, we recommend @dangerousmindsbrewing in Pompano Beach. Enjoyed the Cocobana blonde ale, Stradamus hazy IPA and Jolly Proper British pub ale

When you find yourself in South Florida, we recommend @dangerousmindsbrewing in Pompano Beach. Enjoyed the Cocobana blonde ale, Stradamus hazy IPA and Jolly Proper British pub ale ...

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Jul 15

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It was another great quarterly @ilcraftbeer meeting, and the fine folks at @keggrovemorris went above and beyond as hosts. There are lots of good things happening in the craft beer industry right now, and Illinois Brewing magazine is here to showcase it all

It was another great quarterly @ilcraftbeer meeting, and the fine folks at @keggrovemorris went above and beyond as hosts. There are lots of good things happening in the craft beer industry right now, and Illinois Brewing magazine is here to showcase it all ...

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Jul 13

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Solid selections from the best beer fridge around while watching England beat Norway (at an English neighbor’s garage party) included the @begylebrewing No Tomorrow hazy pale ale, @solemnoathbeer Hippo Trout dark mild ale and Foderface Marzen, and @keggrovebrewco Gravel Beer pale ale.

Solid selections from the best beer fridge around while watching England beat Norway (at an English neighbor’s garage party) included the @begylebrewing No Tomorrow hazy pale ale, @solemnoathbeer Hippo Trout dark mild ale and Foderface Marzen, and @keggrovebrewco Gravel Beer pale ale. ...

7 0

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Jul 9

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Well, sometimes it pays to be up late working, especially when good news like this breaks…

It’s official: @pollyannabrewingcompany has acquired @alarmistbrewing - the longtime Chicago brewery that closed its doors earlier this year. We’re told the Sauganash taproom will undergo “guest‑experience upgrades” before reopening in late 2026 as a Pollyanna location. 

Look for the addition of a pizza‑driven, artisanal shareables menu, and for Pollyanna to continue producing Alarmist favorites like Le Jus, Pantless, Crispy Boy and more. The core brands will return to market later this year at bars, restaurants and retail accounts.

“This acquisition aligns two award‑winning producers with shared values around quality and community,” said Ryan Weidner, Pollyanna’s President & CEO. “We’re excited to build on Alarmist’s legacy while expanding Pollyanna’s footprint into the city.”

Look for a Q&A spotlight on this major move in the next issue of Illinois Brewing.

Well, sometimes it pays to be up late working, especially when good news like this breaks…

It’s official: @pollyannabrewingcompany has acquired @alarmistbrewing - the longtime Chicago brewery that closed its doors earlier this year. We’re told the Sauganash taproom will undergo “guest‑experience upgrades” before reopening in late 2026 as a Pollyanna location.

Look for the addition of a pizza‑driven, artisanal shareables menu, and for Pollyanna to continue producing Alarmist favorites like Le Jus, Pantless, Crispy Boy and more. The core brands will return to market later this year at bars, restaurants and retail accounts.

“This acquisition aligns two award‑winning producers with shared values around quality and community,” said Ryan Weidner, Pollyanna’s President & CEO. “We’re excited to build on Alarmist’s legacy while expanding Pollyanna’s footprint into the city.”

Look for a Q&A spotlight on this major move in the next issue of Illinois Brewing.
...

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Jul 9

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One of the state's more underrated patios/beer gardens belongs to @evergreenfarm1858 Brewing near Peoria, which sits on a fifth-generation family farm. Outside of the cozy taproom — which feels a bit like a speakeasy — you’ll find a comfortable patio surrounded by flowers and rustic farming equipment. Tour the property with a cold beer in hand, get ready for some amazing sunsets, and check out their Midwest Skies music series with concerts running July 11, Aug. 22, Sept. 19 and Oct. 3.

Read more about Evergreen and a handful of other underrated patios around the state in our summer issue and online at IllinoisBrewing.com

One of the state`s more underrated patios/beer gardens belongs to @evergreenfarm1858 Brewing near Peoria, which sits on a fifth-generation family farm. Outside of the cozy taproom — which feels a bit like a speakeasy — you’ll find a comfortable patio surrounded by flowers and rustic farming equipment. Tour the property with a cold beer in hand, get ready for some amazing sunsets, and check out their Midwest Skies music series with concerts running July 11, Aug. 22, Sept. 19 and Oct. 3.

Read more about Evergreen and a handful of other underrated patios around the state in our summer issue and online at IllinoisBrewing.com
...

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Jul 7

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

Spotlight on @adamsstreetbrewery in Chicago’s historic @berghoffchicago — This gorgeous, 128-year-old building in the Loop is dripping with history, full of original woodwork and charm, and home to plenty of award-winning beer and mouthwatering German favorites

Read the feature article now at IllinoisBrewing.com

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

Spotlight on @adamsstreetbrewery in Chicago’s historic @berghoffchicago — This gorgeous, 128-year-old building in the Loop is dripping with history, full of original woodwork and charm, and home to plenty of award-winning beer and mouthwatering German favorites

Read the feature article now at IllinoisBrewing.com
...

12 0

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Jul 5

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Day No. 6 of smuggling Illinois beers into the northwoods of Wisconsin features the award-winning 13.5 Polotmavy Pivo from @adamsstreetbrewery inside the historic @berghoffchicago in the Loop. It’s a traditional amber Czech lager with hints of caramel and toasted bread. Look for more on Adams Street in our summer issue out now

Day No. 6 of smuggling Illinois beers into the northwoods of Wisconsin features the award-winning 13.5 Polotmavy Pivo from @adamsstreetbrewery inside the historic @berghoffchicago in the Loop. It’s a traditional amber Czech lager with hints of caramel and toasted bread. Look for more on Adams Street in our summer issue out now ...

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Jul 3

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

Illinois Brewing Insider Paul McCann, the head of production at @uneannee / @hubbards_cave on their own Summer’s Cauldron IPA, the @halfacrebeer impressive barrel-aging program, the @goldfingerbeer lager lineup, a beautiful day spent at @monkishbrewing in California, and the hidden gem in Chicago that is @laschets Inn

Read the spotlight now: IllinoisBrewing.com

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

Illinois Brewing Insider Paul McCann, the head of production at @uneannee / @hubbards_cave on their own Summer’s Cauldron IPA, the @halfacrebeer impressive barrel-aging program, the @goldfingerbeer lager lineup, a beautiful day spent at @monkishbrewing in California, and the hidden gem in Chicago that is @laschets Inn

Read the spotlight now: IllinoisBrewing.com
...

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RECENT POSTS

Brewer's Choice

Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Keg Grove Brewing Company’s Jeff Mroz

Jeff Mroz Co-owner and brewer Keg Grove Brewing Company Bloomington and Morris, IL  The last really good beer I drank was…  Most recently, I was very impressed with Black and ...
  • Group of friends at a long outdoor picnic table, sharing a meal with burgers, fries, and drinks under a canopy.

    Last Call: Where are you most looking forward to having a beer outside this summer?

    By Trent Modglin
    July 20, 2026
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