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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
  • Inside Scoop: Oak Park Microbrew Review, Streetz Artz Alliance summer shows, Buffalo Creek Brewing Sausage Fest, Maplewood Public House and Burning Bush Brewery’s cocktail bar, a Belgian beer competition in St. Charles, brewery deals and more

  • Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Printer’s Row Brewing’s Virgilio Mazzeo

  • Illinois Brewing Insider: Homebrewer Chris Baynes

  • Breweries in bunches in St. Charles: A handful of fantastically unique breweries call this popular west suburb home

  • Spotlight on Hop Butcher for the World on Chicago’s north side

Tag: Sketchbook Brewing

Home›Posts Tagged "Sketchbook Brewing"
  • Feature Articles
    By Trent Modglin
    March 18, 2026
    535
    0

    Insider opinions: What is the best brewery you’ve hit on vacation?

    Maui Brewing Co.  This is the first in a series of articles on the best breweries that industry insiders and craft-beer enthusiasts have hit on vacation This is a tough one. The first that comes to mind is Maui Brewing Co. because it’s right by the airport. After being on that long flight, it’s great to ...
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  • Last Call
    By Trent Modglin
    February 2, 2026
    883
    0

    Last call: What’s the coziest Illinois brewery or bar for these cold winter days?

    Hopleaf in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood As for cozy beer-centric bars, when we are in Chicago we almost always visit Hopleaf. The staff is super knowledgeable, and the beer selection unmatched (especially in terms of rare drafts and bottles). We love the old European beer signage, and the mussels are always ordered. They have been serving ...
    Read More
  • Interviews
    By Trent Modglin
    October 27, 2025
    1381
    0

    Brewery backstories: Q&A with Brian Noonan and Cody Gough from the popular Crafty Brewers podcast

    Q&A with Brian Noonan and Cody Gough from the popular Crafty Brewers podcast CraftyBrewersPod.com Follow them on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and TikTok Q. For someone who hasn’t listened to your podcast before, tell us a bit about how it got started and the focus of Crafty Brewers Brian and Cody: Years ago, we hosted a segment ...
    Read More
  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    September 19, 2025
    1736
    0

    Inside Scoop: Check out some of the fun-filled craft beer Oktoberfest celebrations happening the weekends of Sept. 19-21 and Sept. 26-28

    Sketchbook Brewing Company The following are some of the event listings from our special digital Oktoberfest issue. Check it out.   Sketchbook Brewing’s Oktoberfest Sept. 19-21 Sketchbook Brewing’s annual Oktoberfest celebration will take place Friday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 21 at both the Skokie and Evanston taprooms. The free event will have live music, stein hoisting ...
    Read More
  • Last Call
    By Trent Modglin
    August 23, 2025
    1943
    0

    Last Call: What is the most underrated spot to drink outdoors in Illinois?

    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 ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    March 22, 2025
    2199
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider Ted Perez on his favorite local breweries, Monk’s Pub, Sketchbook’s patio and honey basil ale, and fun beer experiences in Japan

    Ted Perez Founder of the Evanston Homebrew Club Favorite breweries: Tough question! With over 300 breweries in the state, I know there’s always a brewery that I haven’t been to yet and looking forward to discovering. My most recent visits have been to, in no particular order: Off Color Brewing, Dovetail Brewery, Begyle Brewing, Half ...
    Read More
  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    February 21, 2025
    2253
    0

    Illinois Brewing Insider: Mike Gemma on creating a welcoming vibe at Haymarket, Piece Pizza as a go-to spot, Hopewell Brewing’s Tank Beer and visiting Russian River on his anniversary

    Mike Gemma Co-owner, Haymarket Pub & Brewery Chicago, IL and Bridgman, MI Favorite breweries: So many great ones to choose from! Can’t really go wrong with the combo of pizza and beer, so easily Piece Pizzeria & Brewery in Chicago is one of my go-to spots. A couple of The Weight pale ales to pair ...
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  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    January 20, 2025
    1991
    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
  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    September 12, 2024
    2356
    0

    Inside Scoop: Upcoming Oktoberfest brewery events across Chicagoland, Will Run for Beer 5K, Midwest Coast’s 5-year anniversary party and more

    The following is a paid promotional opportunity from the fall issue of Illinois Brewing, which is out now and available at more than 400 locations across the state. Sketchbook’s annual Oktoberfest Sept. 20-22 Think tradition — with a few twists! Local food, fun games, contests and live music all three days make for one of ...
    Read More
  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    August 19, 2024
    2251
    0

    Brewer’s Choice: The Perch Kitchen & Tap’s Preston Mick on summertime offerings from Alarmist and Sketchbook Brewing, collaborating with CHAOS Brew Club, and his own Mug Club

    The Perch Kitchen & Tap Preston Mick Head Brewer at The Perch Kitchen & Tap in Chicago ThePerchChicago.com The last really good beer you drank was… A Wonderful Digression, which was a black IPA I grabbed a pint of at Green Cheek Beer Co. in Costa Mesa, California. Just a memorable beer in a style I’d love ...
    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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Jun 24

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Sadly, the great @@illuminatedbrewworks in Chicago's Norwood Park is closing its doors this weekend, but they've got a lot of fun things planned for the rest of the week and some great beer to sell before that. Like their unique Malort barrel-aged stout going for $30 per 750 ML bottle. Swing in this week to say goodbye, hoist a few pints and grab some favorites to go.

Sadly, the great @@illuminatedbrewworks in Chicago`s Norwood Park is closing its doors this weekend, but they`ve got a lot of fun things planned for the rest of the week and some great beer to sell before that. Like their unique Malort barrel-aged stout going for $30 per 750 ML bottle. Swing in this week to say goodbye, hoist a few pints and grab some favorites to go. ...

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Jun 24

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We’ve got a loaded Inside Scoop section from our summer issue for you. Read on for info on the @opmicrobrew @mad60068 and @streetzartzalliance summer shows, the @buffalocreekbrewing Sausage Fest, @maplewoodpublichouse opening in Glen Ellyn and @burningbushbrewery launching Feather & Tail cocktail bar in Chicago, a Belgian beer competition between six breweries in St. Charles, great deals at @crustbrewing @flipsidebrewing and @madhatchetbrewing … and much more

Read the full Inside Scoop now at IllinoisBrewing.com

We’ve got a loaded Inside Scoop section from our summer issue for you. Read on for info on the @opmicrobrew @mad60068 and @streetzartzalliance summer shows, the @buffalocreekbrewing Sausage Fest, @maplewoodpublichouse opening in Glen Ellyn and @burningbushbrewery launching Feather & Tail cocktail bar in Chicago, a Belgian beer competition between six breweries in St. Charles, great deals at @crustbrewing @flipsidebrewing and @madhatchetbrewing … and much more

Read the full Inside Scoop now at IllinoisBrewing.com
...

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Jun 23

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Deal of the day: @bubblehousebrewing in west suburban Lisle offers up $5 featured pints on Tuesdays. And a pretty nice little patio to enjoy this gorgeous weather too, we might add.

Deal of the day: @bubblehousebrewing in west suburban Lisle offers up $5 featured pints on Tuesdays. And a pretty nice little patio to enjoy this gorgeous weather too, we might add. ...

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Jun 23

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Was treated to Father’s Day at @phasethreebrew.elm and came away impressed as always with their OG smash burger, Korean wings, tofu katsu and pork-filled spring rolls. For beer, the Midwest Sound hazy IPA and Trail Trip pale ale were particular hits. Add on a few @phasethreebrew 4-packs to go and I was set.

Was treated to Father’s Day at @phasethreebrew.elm and came away impressed as always with their OG smash burger, Korean wings, tofu katsu and pork-filled spring rolls. For beer, the Midwest Sound hazy IPA and Trail Trip pale ale were particular hits. Add on a few @phasethreebrew 4-packs to go and I was set. ...

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Jun 20

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5-year anniversary party alert!! 
Saturday, June 20 at @printersrowbrewing on Chicago’s far NW side

Brewer’s Choice from our new summer issue: Printers Row Brewing’s Virgilio Mazzeo on the @oldirvingbrewing Cushy sour series and barrel-aged options, @strangebirdbeer pizza and hazy IPAs in New York, his own brewery’s bond with the community, and the fun new beers he’s rolling out for his 5-year anniversary party and later this summer

5-year anniversary party alert!!
Saturday, June 20 at @printersrowbrewing on Chicago’s far NW side

Brewer’s Choice from our new summer issue: Printers Row Brewing’s Virgilio Mazzeo on the @oldirvingbrewing Cushy sour series and barrel-aged options, @strangebirdbeer pizza and hazy IPAs in New York, his own brewery’s bond with the community, and the fun new beers he’s rolling out for his 5-year anniversary party and later this summer
...

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Jun 18

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The new summer issue of Illinois Brewing may be out, but this guy can’t let go of the spring features and insider info, even with all the people watching and boats cruising by on the Chicago Riverwalk.

Bonus: The @dovetailbrewery kolsch and the Pulaski Pils from @maplewoodbrew tasted especially fine at @tinytappandcafe on the Riverwalk

Photo credit: @0liviaholmes

The new summer issue of Illinois Brewing may be out, but this guy can’t let go of the spring features and insider info, even with all the people watching and boats cruising by on the Chicago Riverwalk.

Bonus: The @dovetailbrewery kolsch and the Pulaski Pils from @maplewoodbrew tasted especially fine at @tinytappandcafe on the Riverwalk

Photo credit: @0liviaholmes
...

41 0

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Jun 16

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Enjoyed interviewing Jim Riggs and Mark Duchow, the award-winning brewers at @adamsstreetbrewery  for our new summer issue, which is out this week. Look for the feature article on all their solid work inside @berghoffchicago  in downtown Chicago. Just steps from Millennium Park, the The Art Institute of Chicago, Michigan Avenue and plenty of hotels... this historic gem is not to be missed.

Enjoyed interviewing Jim Riggs and Mark Duchow, the award-winning brewers at @adamsstreetbrewery for our new summer issue, which is out this week. Look for the feature article on all their solid work inside @berghoffchicago in downtown Chicago. Just steps from Millennium Park, the The Art Institute of Chicago, Michigan Avenue and plenty of hotels... this historic gem is not to be missed. ...

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Jun 14

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Date: Saturday, June 12
Time: 3:06 p.m.
Location: @mikerphonebrewing patio in Elk Grove Village
Tunes from the taproom: Classic '80s favorites
Favorite beers: Cat's in the Cradle double NEIPA, PB+Jam Juice fruited sour, 11 Years BA B BW barleywine

Date: Saturday, June 12
Time: 3:06 p.m.
Location: @mikerphonebrewing patio in Elk Grove Village
Tunes from the taproom: Classic `80s favorites
Favorite beers: Cat`s in the Cradle double NEIPA, PB+Jam Juice fruited sour, 11 Years BA B BW barleywine
...

13 0

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Jun 13

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Illinois Brewing Insider Chris Baynes on the art of homebrewing, why the @spitefulbrewing grapefruit radler is perfect for summer, an old-school appreciation for @revbrewchicago @samueladamsbeer and @breckbrew … and the quality selection and recommendations at @wehavegreatbeerpr 

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com

Illinois Brewing Insider Chris Baynes on the art of homebrewing, why the @spitefulbrewing grapefruit radler is perfect for summer, an old-school appreciation for @revbrewchicago @samueladamsbeer and @breckbrew … and the quality selection and recommendations at @wehavegreatbeerpr

Read it all here: IllinoisBrewing.com
...

9 1

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Jun 11

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If you’re a fan of @beerchurchbrew in New Buffalo, Michigan, and a fan of Key West as well, you’re in luck.

Check out this news.

If you’re a fan of @beerchurchbrew in New Buffalo, Michigan, and a fan of Key West as well, you’re in luck.

Check out this news.
...

15 1

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Jun 9

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The best way to recover from your annual neighborhood block party is to dive into your stocked beer fridge the next day with your neighbors and enjoy a few gems like @mikerphonebrewing Sus Sus Pseudio double NEIPA, @morebrewing Czech pilsner and @homewoodbrewingcompany Conversations Mexican lager. 

#DrinkIllinois #drinklocal #craftbeer #IllinoisBrewing

The best way to recover from your annual neighborhood block party is to dive into your stocked beer fridge the next day with your neighbors and enjoy a few gems like @mikerphonebrewing Sus Sus Pseudio double NEIPA, @morebrewing Czech pilsner and @homewoodbrewingcompany Conversations Mexican lager.

#DrinkIllinois #drinklocal #craftbeer #IllinoisBrewing
...

5 0

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Jun 8

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Spotlight on St. Charles: A handful of fantastically unique breweries call this popular west suburb home. And you can hit them all on the trail with the @stcalliance 

Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com

Spotlight on St. Charles: A handful of fantastically unique breweries call this popular west suburb home. And you can hit them all on the trail with the @stcalliance

Read it all now at IllinoisBrewing.com
...

25 0

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Jun 7

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Dear @officialwrigleyfield and the @cubs 

It may be time to rethink the $18 IPA.

Dear @officialwrigleyfield and the @cubs

It may be time to rethink the $18 IPA.
...

21 1
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Inside Scoop

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  • Outdoor patio at Printer's Row Brewing with red umbrella tables on a sunny street corner, sidewalk seating visible

    Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Printer’s Row Brewing’s Virgilio Mazzeo

    By Trent Modglin
    June 20, 2026
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