Tag: Illinois craft beer
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Good eats in Lake County: Here’s just a few of the NW suburban breweries serving up much more than just great beer
The fish & chips at Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville You may not have known, but originally having opened in 1994, Mickey Finn’s just happens to be the oldest continuously operated microbrewery in Illinois. Featuring a 57-foot bar, beautiful beer garden, private event space, a stage for live music and — perhaps the most impressive aspect ... -
Q&A with Eric Flores, co-owner of the award-winning new Neuronova Brewing
Q. When did you officially launch Neuronova? A. Ryan McGough and I officially launched Neuronova Brewing in the fall of 2025, but we had been working on getting things rolling for years now. To see everything come together is pretty unreal, and even though there’s so much more work to be done, officially launching Neuronova ... -
Spotlight on Roaring Table Brewing Co. in NW suburban Lake Zurich
Roaring Table Brewing Co. 739 W. Route 22 Lake Zurich, IL RoaringTable.com Tuesday-Wednesday: 4-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday: 4-10 p.m. Saturday: Noon-10 p.m. Sunday: Noon-8 p.m. History in short: It was the summer of 2015 when the husband-and-wife team of Beth May and Lane Fearing “foolishly decided to start a brewery.” After perusing properties everywhere from West ... -
Illinois Brewing Insider Jeff Bovee
Jeff Bovee Sterling, IL Favorite breweries: My wife and I started visiting breweries as a fun activity to do together on weekends or while traveling, and we have enjoyed so many great breweries in Illinois and surrounding states over the last few years that it’s really hard to choose a favorite. One of the first ... -
Taproom treasures: We scoped out some of the most unique and historic brewery taprooms across the state… and had a few pints along the way
By Trent Modglin, Publisher Double Clutch Brewery 2121 Ashland Avenue in Evanston DoubleClutchBrewing.com What makes it unique: Double Clutch head brewer Scott Frank and Mike Chookaszian, a partner in Vandalay Brands (the company that owns Double Clutch), have long been neighbors and friends, not to mention car guys. So when you add in Scott’s skills ... -
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 ...
