Steve Judge Co-director of the Park Ridge Market After Dark Favorite breweries: Illinois has no shortage of great breweries, but a few standouts rise to the top for me. Mikerphone Brewing is one of my favorites, and I’m still hoping they’ll find a spot for a second taproom in Park Ridge. They consistently put out ...

Sketchbook Brewing in Skokie To us, it’s always about hanging with family and friends at Sketchbook Brewing’s spacious front patio in Skokie. It’s a mix of sun and shade like your own backyard, only with great beer, food trucks, board games, fun events and live music on Sundays. — Dominic Soric Small but mighty, I ...

Old Irving Brewing’s burger of the week We asked craft beer enthusiasts and industry veterans for the best meal they’ve had at an Illinois brewery recently Hands down, Old Irving Brewing. Everything on the menu is fantastic, from their award-winning wings and burgers to their cheese curds, which stand out as some of the best I’ve ...

Illinois Brewing Insider Fred Sanchez on a love of Hubbard’s Cave barrel-aged offerings, Mikerphone’s orange-vanilla milkshake IPA and Mambo Italian pilsner, Haymarket’s Chicago Tavern Beer, the rotating selection and vibe at Harp & Fiddle and Beer on the Wall in Park Ridge, and taking a break from California wine country to hit up Firestone Walker ...

Favorite breweries: I would say, as of right now, my favorite would be Sew Hop’d in Huntley. I love their Gangs All Here brown ale and a lot of their stouts. They always have really good food trucks all the time, like the grilled cheese people from Wisconsin. The atmosphere is so fun there too.  ...

Josh Sissman Manager Beer on the Wall in Park Ridge, IL (with additional locations in Arlington Heights & Elmhurst) WeHaveGreatBeer.com Favorite breweries: Some of my favorites are Alarmist, Maplewood and Illuminated Brew Works. I’ve learned to appreciate those that don’t take themselves too seriously and make fun beer that’s accessible. I like brands that make great ...

The following Oktoberfest events can be found in our special digital Oktoberfest issue, which can be read here. Prost!  50th Havana Oktoberfest Sept. 8-10 Come celebrate five decades of historic Havana’s Oktoberfest and its eclectic mix of the modern and the traditional. Head to the city’s downtown district, where you’ll find something for every age at ...

By Trent Modglin Une Année and Hubbard’s Cave 6543 Gross Point Road in Niles UneAnnee.com The history: Born on the near west side of downtown Chicago in 2013, this independent craft brewery was founded by Chicago native Jerry Nelson. Une Année — which means “One Year” in French — set out on a quest to ...

Photo: Une Année/Hubbard’ Cave patio Geoff Hutchins, 62 Park Ridge, IL Favorite Illinois breweries: It’s always tough for me to go against Phase Three (Lake Zurich). They really just do consistently high-quality and consistently great beer styles and innovations. Their new Pixel Density Lite still has all the complexity of one of their regular hazy ...