Tag: Illinois craft beer
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Breweries in Bunches: Venture up to Rockford to find a quartet of unique craft breweries, each with its own charm and plenty of great beer options
By Trent Modglin Prairie Street Brewing Co. 200 Prairie Street Rockford, IL PSBrewingCo.com What they’re known for: Prairie Street Brewing Company just happens to be housed in the oldest brewery in the state of Illinois, an 80,000-square foot historic landmark building along the Rock River in downtown Rockford. Opened in 2013 after a massive two-year ... -
Spotlight on Half Day Brewing: This Lincolnshire favorite will draw you in with their lagers and barrel-aged stouts, extensive menu (try the smoked wings) and versatile event spaces
Half Day Brewing Co. 200 Village Green Lincolnshire, IL HalfDayBrewing.com Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. History in short: The building Half Day calls home used to belong to Flatlander’s Brewing, but it had long since been vacated and sat empty for almost five years before Half Day was opened by a pair ... -
Brewer’s Choice: Une Année & Hubbard’s Cave co-owner Dave Nelson on Sketchbook Brewing’s consistency, a tasty imperial stout from Pulpit Rock, and his own impressive barrel-aged program and BBQ
Dave Nelson Co-owner and co-brewer at Une Année and Hubbard’s Cave in Niles 6343 W. Gross Point Road in Niles UneAnnee.com The last really good beer I drank was… the Oh Joy imperial stout from Pulpit Rock Brewing (infused with toasted coconut, roasted almonds and vanilla sandwich cookies). It’s across the street from Toppling Goliath ... -
Breweries in Bunches: NW suburban Huntley and Woodstock are home to a handful of some of the state’s more creative and comfortable craft breweries
By Trent Modglin Kishwaukee Brewing Co. 1900 Dillard Court Woodstock, IL 60098 KishwaukeeBrewing.com What they’re known for: Kishwaukee founder and brewmaster Dan Payson learned his craft in Seattle, and the Pacific Northwest had a profound effect on him. “The Seattle beer scene was a big influence for both of us,” Dan says of himself and his ... -
Spotlight on Burning Bush Brewery: The creation of a former pastor, this newer brewery in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood offers a beautiful riverfront patio, tasty beers and a perfect stop-off on the way to Wrigley
Burning Bush Brewery 4014 N. Rockwell St. Chicago, IL BurningBushBrewery.com Monday-Thursday: 4-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 12-11 p.m. Sunday: 12-8 p.m. History in short: Brent Raska was a Presbyterian pastor in the southwest suburbs who saw his church close down in January of 2018, all while he had a 2-year-old at home and another baby on the ... -
Brewery spotlight: Hangar Two by Tangled Roots Brewing Company offers an impressive menu and stylish space in north suburban Glenview
Hangar Two by Tangled Roots Brewing Company 1100 North Milwaukee Ave. in Glenview 847-375-6986 TangledRootsBrewingco.com History in short: Tangled Roots Brewing Company has done a lot of work in a small amount of time — and a lot of it amidst a global pandemic. The original brewery (called The Lone Buffalo), located in Ottawa, IL, ... -
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 ... -
We’ve got apps: Here are a few brewery appetizers from around the state that have caught our eye — and made our stomachs growl
Sweet sriracha cauliflower at Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company 2101 Calistoga Dr., New Lenox, IL ArrowheadAles.com The burgers come highly recommended at this family-friendly spot in the far southwest burbs, but the way to start things off is an order of their crispy fried cauliflower for the table. This new menu item features fried cauliflower drizzled ... -
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 ... -
Brewer’s Choice: Elmhurst Brewing co-owner Frazer Donaldson on Deth’s Tar from Revolution, Kinslahger’s mash-hopped lager and his own 5-year anniversary party Feb. 4
Illinois brewery professionals share opinions on what’s tasting great, who’s doing big things and what they’re most proud of Frazer Donaldson Co-owner at Elmhurst Brewing in Elmhurst, IL ElmhurstBrewing.com 1. The last really good beer you drank was… a hefeweizen straight from the fermenter at Crust Brewing in Rosemont, while head brewer Rob Hunter was ...