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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: Jim Koblish, owner and head brewer at Hop District Community Brewing Co.

  • Spotlight on CHAOS Brew Club

  • Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Black Horizon Brewing Company owner/head brewer Alex Stankus

  • Inside Scoop: The annual Beer Under Glass event in Chicago’s Millennium Park kicks off Illinois Craft Beer Week May 8

  • Spotlight on 93 Octane Brewery in St. Charles and Elmhurst

Tag: Goldfinger Brewing

Home›Posts Tagged "Goldfinger Brewing"
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    April 3, 2026
    296
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    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 ...
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  • Last Call
    By Trent Modglin
    September 24, 2025
    1994
    0

    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
    1241
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    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 ...
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  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    July 18, 2025
    1648
    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
    2305
    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
    4579
    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
    1835
    0

    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
    2623
    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 ...
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  • Last Call
    By Trent Modglin
    January 17, 2024
    2091
    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
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    November 29, 2023
    2823
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: Nik & Ivy’s Chrissy Ivnik on Maplewood’s Charlatan pale ale, the variety at Noon Whistle, and how her founder memberships can be the perfect holiday gift

    Chrissy Ivnik, co-owner Nik & Ivy Brewing Co. 1026 S. State Street Lockport, IL 60441 The last really good beer I drank was… our Nik of Time Peanut Butter Cup. It tastes like a perfect peanut butter cup! Also, Charlatan from Maplewood Brewing. It’s a good, classic American pale ale that’s refreshing, crisp and has just the right ...
    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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May 16

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One of the more than 300 breweries, bottle shops, bars and festivals you can find a copy of Illinois Brewing is the award-winning @mikerphonebrewing in Elk Grove Village, where you can also pick up your summer passport from the @ilcraftbeer  Guild and some of the best hazy IPAs you'll find anywhere (and don't forget the uber-popular Italian pilsner called Mambo Italiano).

One of the more than 300 breweries, bottle shops, bars and festivals you can find a copy of Illinois Brewing is the award-winning @mikerphonebrewing in Elk Grove Village, where you can also pick up your summer passport from the @ilcraftbeer Guild and some of the best hazy IPAs you`ll find anywhere (and don`t forget the uber-popular Italian pilsner called Mambo Italiano). ...

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May 16

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Very happy to have the Main Street patio open for the season today in Park Ridge, with great beers from @arthistorybrewing @riverlandsbrewingcompany @brothership_brewing and @pipeworksbrewing

Very happy to have the Main Street patio open for the season today in Park Ridge, with great beers from @arthistorybrewing @riverlandsbrewingcompany @brothership_brewing and @pipeworksbrewing ...

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May 12

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From our current spring issue: 

Illinois Brewing Insider @jkbrewlife — owner of @hopdistrictbrewing — on the outstanding pilsners from @riverlandsbrewingcompany and @arthistorybrewing ... a fondness for @maplewoodbrew @orangenbrewtap and @littleowlsocialpub ... and looking forward to the return of his own seasonal gose made with fresh strawberry puree and Himalayan salt 

Read the spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com

From our current spring issue:

Illinois Brewing Insider @jkbrewlife — owner of @hopdistrictbrewing — on the outstanding pilsners from @riverlandsbrewingcompany and @arthistorybrewing ... a fondness for @maplewoodbrew @orangenbrewtap and @littleowlsocialpub ... and looking forward to the return of his own seasonal gose made with fresh strawberry puree and Himalayan salt

Read the spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com
...

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May 11

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Sunday, May 24th (12-9PM) is the ninth annual Main Street Craft Beer Festival hosted by @wehavegreatbeerpr and @theharpandfiddle 

With food, live music, a kid zone and most importantly… 100+ craft beers, it’s hard to think of a better way to kick off summer.

Sunday, May 24th (12-9PM) is the ninth annual Main Street Craft Beer Festival hosted by @wehavegreatbeerpr and @theharpandfiddle

With food, live music, a kid zone and most importantly… 100+ craft beers, it’s hard to think of a better way to kick off summer.
...

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May 10

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Q: What are you most proud of at @black_horizon_brewing ?

A: Most recently, our back-to-back gold medal wins for our gin barrel-aged botanical lager, From Earth to You, at @fobab (Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers). Being a smaller brewery with only so much room and ability to barrel age beer, we put incredible dedication and love into our barrels and want to present something barrel aged that both long-time and new craft beer drinkers may never have thought to try. Our vision has always been “smaller beers in odd barrels” or a style you might never think to barrel age." 

Read more of our Q&A with Alex Stankus from Black Horizon at IllinoisBrewing.com

Q: What are you most proud of at @black_horizon_brewing ?

A: Most recently, our back-to-back gold medal wins for our gin barrel-aged botanical lager, From Earth to You, at @fobab (Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers). Being a smaller brewery with only so much room and ability to barrel age beer, we put incredible dedication and love into our barrels and want to present something barrel aged that both long-time and new craft beer drinkers may never have thought to try. Our vision has always been “smaller beers in odd barrels” or a style you might never think to barrel age."

Read more of our Q&A with Alex Stankus from Black Horizon at IllinoisBrewing.com
...

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May 8

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The talented team at @oldirvingbrewing recently took over the role of brewing a pair of beers, the Billy Goat IPA and Billy Goat Pilsner, exclusively for the iconic Billy Goat Tavern — aka @cheezborger — and they’re now available on draft at Old Irving’s taproom on the city’s NW side and all seven different Billy Goat locations across Chicago, as well as in canned 4-packs at your favorite beer store. 

For the pilsner, the goal was “something simple and clean and steeped in brewing tradition,” says co-founder and head brewer Trevor Rose-Hamblin. And, of course, a beer that would pair well with Billy Goat’s famous cheeseburgers. 

“For the IPA, we utilized classic hops like Columbus that will give piney and grapefruit-like flavors,” according to Rose-Hamblin. “We aimed for a nicely balanced bitterness that keeps you wanting more.”

The talented team at @oldirvingbrewing recently took over the role of brewing a pair of beers, the Billy Goat IPA and Billy Goat Pilsner, exclusively for the iconic Billy Goat Tavern — aka @cheezborger — and they’re now available on draft at Old Irving’s taproom on the city’s NW side and all seven different Billy Goat locations across Chicago, as well as in canned 4-packs at your favorite beer store.

For the pilsner, the goal was “something simple and clean and steeped in brewing tradition,” says co-founder and head brewer Trevor Rose-Hamblin. And, of course, a beer that would pair well with Billy Goat’s famous cheeseburgers.

“For the IPA, we utilized classic hops like Columbus that will give piney and grapefruit-like flavors,” according to Rose-Hamblin. “We aimed for a nicely balanced bitterness that keeps you wanting more.”
...

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May 7

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Spotlight on @chaosbrewclub 

Spring issue Q&A with @jwhelp1 member director of this diverse group of talented and energetic homebrewers with their own 24/7 space — and plenty of events — in Chicago 

Read the spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com

And check out their Cinco de Mayo fundraiser event coming up May 9

Spotlight on @chaosbrewclub

Spring issue Q&A with @jwhelp1 member director of this diverse group of talented and energetic homebrewers with their own 24/7 space — and plenty of events — in Chicago

Read the spotlight now at IllinoisBrewing.com

And check out their Cinco de Mayo fundraiser event coming up May 9
...

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May 6

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BEER OF THE WEEK
Cross Pollination double NEIPA
8.0% ABV
@phasethreebrew 

Brewed in collaboration with Villa Park’s @standardmeadery this hazy double IPA 3 features big, juicy grovestand orange and tropical notes finished with a sweet kiss of orange blossom honey. Catch Cross Pollination on draft and in to-go 4-packs at Phase Three’s Lake Zurich and @phasethreebrew.elm locations now.

BEER OF THE WEEK
Cross Pollination double NEIPA
8.0% ABV
@phasethreebrew

Brewed in collaboration with Villa Park’s @standardmeadery this hazy double IPA 3 features big, juicy grovestand orange and tropical notes finished with a sweet kiss of orange blossom honey. Catch Cross Pollination on draft and in to-go 4-packs at Phase Three’s Lake Zurich and @phasethreebrew.elm locations now.
...

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May 6

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If you find yourself in Madison, Wisconsin this spring or summer, do yourself a favor and swing by @karben4brewing 

Tasty beers, friendly place and a seriously spacious patio (photo only covers half of it).

If you find yourself in Madison, Wisconsin this spring or summer, do yourself a favor and swing by @karben4brewing

Tasty beers, friendly place and a seriously spacious patio (photo only covers half of it).
...

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May 1

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Brewer’s Choice from our spring issue: Q&A with @black_horizon_brewing owner/head brewer Alex Stankus on the new @blumeandferris pub ales, rye beers from @werkforcebrewing and @arthistorybrewing as well as ramping up his own lager program and Black Horizon’s upcoming Pickle Fest and nine-year anniversary luau 

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com

Brewer’s Choice from our spring issue: Q&A with @black_horizon_brewing owner/head brewer Alex Stankus on the new @blumeandferris pub ales, rye beers from @werkforcebrewing and @arthistorybrewing as well as ramping up his own lager program and Black Horizon’s upcoming Pickle Fest and nine-year anniversary luau

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com
...

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Apr 30

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Inside Scoop: The @ilcraftbeer annual Beer Under Glass event in @millennium_park kicks off @ilcraftbeerweek May 8

Read all about BUG, the Drink Illinois passport program, Craft Beer Week pint glasses and more now in the Inside Scoop section at IllinoisBrewing.com

Inside Scoop: The @ilcraftbeer annual Beer Under Glass event in @millennium_park kicks off @ilcraftbeerweek May 8

Read all about BUG, the Drink Illinois passport program, Craft Beer Week pint glasses and more now in the Inside Scoop section at IllinoisBrewing.com
...

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Apr 27

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A trio of the 350+ locations you can find a copy of our spring issue is Beer on the Wall — @wehavegreatbeerpr @wehavegreatbeereh and @wehavegreatbeerah — where you can always find a great selection of cans to go and craft beer on draft. Don't sleep on the variety of liquor or THC selzters either. 

Enjoyed recently:
1. 28 Months Later barleywine from @oldirvingbrewing 
2. Mana Wahine tropical stout from @phasethreebrew 
3. Join us in Creating Excellence (JUICE) double NEIPA from @narrowgaugebeer 
4. Herbasaurus West Coast double IPA from @phasethreebrew

A trio of the 350+ locations you can find a copy of our spring issue is Beer on the Wall — @wehavegreatbeerpr @wehavegreatbeereh and @wehavegreatbeerah — where you can always find a great selection of cans to go and craft beer on draft. Don`t sleep on the variety of liquor or THC selzters either.

Enjoyed recently:
1. 28 Months Later barleywine from @oldirvingbrewing
2. Mana Wahine tropical stout from @phasethreebrew
3. Join us in Creating Excellence (JUICE) double NEIPA from @narrowgaugebeer
4. Herbasaurus West Coast double IPA from @phasethreebrew
...

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illinoisbrewing

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Apr 27

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Celebrate spring the Bavarian way at the @buffalocreekbrewing annual Maifest the weekend of May 8–9, benefiting Misericordia. The brewery’s scenic one-acre biergarten comes alive with the sights, sounds and traditions of this classic German celebration. Enjoy lively German folk music from Alpine Thunder, as well as authentic German fare and refreshing seasonal beer releases. Raise a stein and discover small-batch pours at Lager Lane while enjoying raffles, games and a festive, family-friendly atmosphere filled with music, laughter and great beer — all supporting a wonderful cause.

Friday, May 8 from 4-10 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 from noon-10 p.m.

360 Historical Lane in Long Grove. BuffaloCreekBrewing.com

Celebrate spring the Bavarian way at the @buffalocreekbrewing annual Maifest the weekend of May 8–9, benefiting Misericordia. The brewery’s scenic one-acre biergarten comes alive with the sights, sounds and traditions of this classic German celebration. Enjoy lively German folk music from Alpine Thunder, as well as authentic German fare and refreshing seasonal beer releases. Raise a stein and discover small-batch pours at Lager Lane while enjoying raffles, games and a festive, family-friendly atmosphere filled with music, laughter and great beer — all supporting a wonderful cause.

Friday, May 8 from 4-10 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 from noon-10 p.m.

360 Historical Lane in Long Grove. BuffaloCreekBrewing.com
...

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IB Insiders

Illinois Brewing Insider: Jim Koblish, owner and head brewer at Hop District Community Brewing Co.

Hop District Community Brewing Co. Jim Koblish Owner/head brewer Hop District Community Brewing Co. La Grange Park, IL HopDistrictBrewing.com Favorite breweries: I’ve always liked Maplewood Brewery because I can always ...
  • A large group of coworkers gathered at a bar, smiling and raising glasses of beer for a group photo with a rustic brewery backdrop.

    Spotlight on CHAOS Brew Club

    By Trent Modglin
    May 7, 2026
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