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  • Home
  • Inside Scoop
  • Feature Articles
  • IB Insiders
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    • Brewery Listings
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  • Breweries in Bunches: Exploring a quartet of versatile craft breweries that call the Naperville-Aurora corridor home

  • Brewer’s Choice: Q&A with Larry Bolton from Blind Pig Brewing in Champaign

  • Spotlight on Streetz Artz Alliance: It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination

  • Illinois Brewing Insider Hannah Gilmore, assistant taproom manager at Begyle Brewing

  • Inside Scoop: The highly anticipated Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB) returns to Chicago Nov. 13-14

Tag: Sketchbook Brewing

Home›Posts Tagged "Sketchbook Brewing" (Page 2)
  • Last Call
    By Trent Modglin
    August 12, 2024
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    Last call: From Destihl and Prairie Street Brewing Company to Wolfden and Buffalo Creek Brewing, we asked craft beer enthusiasts and industry pros for the best spot to drink beer outdoors

    Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove Summer issue question: What’s the best spot to drink beer outdoors when the weather is perfect?  Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove has one of the best outdoor spaces that they utilize greatly with hosting food trucks, bonfires, yard games and live music. Gives me a camping-in-Colorado feel. The ...
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  • Brewery Spotlights
    By Trent Modglin
    July 2, 2024
    4281
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    Spotlight on Sketchbook Brewing: This popular brewery offers a diverse beer lineup, charming taprooms in Skokie and Evanston, and a focus on community and the arts

    Sketchbook Brewing 4901 Main Street in Skokie 821 Chicago Ave. in Evanston SketchbookBrewing.com Monday: 2-8 p.m. (Evanston only) Tuesday-Thursday: 2-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 12-11 p.m. Sunday 12-8 p.m. History in short: Co-founder Cesar Marron started home brewing back in 2010 with the intention to “just learn a little,” but he found himself captivated when he would ...
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  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    January 19, 2024
    3372
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    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 ...
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  • Inside Scoop
    By Trent Modglin
    September 15, 2023
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    Inside Scoop: Prost!! It’s Oktoberfest season, and we’ve got the goods on many of the best festivals around Illinois

    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 ...
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  • Brewer's Choice
    By Trent Modglin
    July 24, 2023
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    Brewer’s Choice: Double Clutch Brewing’s Scott Frank on the unique vibe at his award-winning brewery, a fondness for Evanston neighbors Temperance and Sketchbook, and gearing up for a big Oktoberfest party

    Scott Frank Head brewer at Double Clutch Brewing Company 2121 N. Ashland in Evanston, IL DoubleClutchBrewing.com The last really good beer you drank was… I had a really good Maibock from Church Street recently that was given to me in a can by their sales rep. It had all the flavor profiles and an amber ...
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  • IB Insiders
    By Trent Modglin
    March 1, 2023
    3479
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    Illinois Brewing Insider Cesar Marron on his own Common Culture oatmeal stout, drinking Belgians at Hopleaf and spending a day on Metropolitan’s patio

    Metropolitan Brewing’s patio in Chicago Cesar Marron Head brewer and managing partner Sketchbook Brewing Company in Evanston and Skokie, IL SketchbookBrewing.com Drinking tendencies: Genuinely speaking I go to the lighter ABV, while also looking for flavor. It’s a day-to-day thing for me. Taproom exclusives are always fun to help it make it more of an ...
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  • Breweries in Bunches
    By Trent Modglin
    October 11, 2022
    4132
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    Breweries in bunches: North suburban Evanston may be best known for Northwestern University, but it’s also home to five uniquely charming breweries

    By Trent Modglin Double Clutch Brewing Company 2121 N. Ashland DoubleClutchBrewing.com Details: Tucked away in a tree-lined neighborhood on the north side of Evanston, this is a huge, stylish space, offering three distinctly different rooms with vaulted ceilings, exposed ductwork and massive garage door-style windows that can be opened when the weather cooperates. Plus, 10 ...
    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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Nov 11

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Replenishing our fall issue through the north burbs and a downpour "forced" us to stop in to @macushlabeer in Glenview for a Cowboy Shoes hazy IPA and Broken Shovel schwarzbier ... and continue working on our new events/promotions calendar app that's launching in a few days. Get ready, beer fans.

Replenishing our fall issue through the north burbs and a downpour "forced" us to stop in to @macushlabeer in Glenview for a Cowboy Shoes hazy IPA and Broken Shovel schwarzbier ... and continue working on our new events/promotions calendar app that`s launching in a few days. Get ready, beer fans.

17 1

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Nov 9

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It’s @fobab time this weekend, and the brewery list put together by the @ilcraftbeer looks better than ever. A few tickets remain to one of our favorite events anywhere. Get yours today at FoBAB.com

It’s @fobab time this weekend, and the brewery list put together by the @ilcraftbeer looks better than ever. A few tickets remain to one of our favorite events anywhere. Get yours today at FoBAB.com

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Nov 7

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From our current fall issue...

Brewer’s Choice: Larry Bolton from @blindpigbrewery on developing a California connection, settling in for a @cruzblancachi farmhouse corn-brewed ale after @fobab and the release of four unique holiday beers at his @blindpigbrewpub 

Read the spotlight here: IllinoisBrewing.com

From our current fall issue...

Brewer’s Choice: Larry Bolton from @blindpigbrewery on developing a California connection, settling in for a @cruzblancachi farmhouse corn-brewed ale after @fobab and the release of four unique holiday beers at his @blindpigbrewpub

Read the spotlight here: IllinoisBrewing.com

19 1

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Nov 6

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When you’re at a midday business networking event and you run into an old friend from @halfacrebeer

When you’re at a midday business networking event and you run into an old friend from @halfacrebeer

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Nov 5

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From the Illinois Brewing Insider archives...

Favorite breweries: "Breweries don’t become my favorites simply because they make good beer in a variety of styles (although those are two of the most important criteria), but because the people are fun and they make me feel welcome and comfortable there. My “home base” is @hailstormbrewing in Tinley Park, but other favorites in the general vicinity are @flipsidebrewing @imperialoakbrewing and @pollyannabrewingcompany 

Farther afield, I’m a big fan of @dovetailbrewery (because I’m a big fan of smoked beers), and you just can’t go wrong with @revbrewchicago 

I’m also unceasingly impressed by the @goldfingerbeer dedication to brewing world-class lager beer styles. And I wish @hopdistrictbrewing was closer to home." 

— @martynachel the founder and president of the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame

Read more insight from Marty here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2026/08/22/illinois-brewing-insider-marty-nachel-founder-of-the-american-craft-beer-hall-of-fame/

From the Illinois Brewing Insider archives...

Favorite breweries: "Breweries don’t become my favorites simply because they make good beer in a variety of styles (although those are two of the most important criteria), but because the people are fun and they make me feel welcome and comfortable there. My “home base” is @hailstormbrewing in Tinley Park, but other favorites in the general vicinity are @flipsidebrewing @imperialoakbrewing and @pollyannabrewingcompany

Farther afield, I’m a big fan of @dovetailbrewery (because I’m a big fan of smoked beers), and you just can’t go wrong with @revbrewchicago

I’m also unceasingly impressed by the @goldfingerbeer dedication to brewing world-class lager beer styles. And I wish @hopdistrictbrewing was closer to home."

— @martynachel the founder and president of the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame

Read more insight from Marty here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2026/08/22/illinois-brewing-insider-marty-nachel-founder-of-the-american-craft-beer-hall-of-fame/

28 1

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Nov 2

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Replenishing our fall issue through the north side of Chicago and couldn’t be happier to see patrons at @hopbutcher and @burningbushbrewery enjoying the fresh air (and fresh craft beer) on Nov. 1

Replenishing our fall issue through the north side of Chicago and couldn’t be happier to see patrons at @hopbutcher and @burningbushbrewery enjoying the fresh air (and fresh craft beer) on Nov. 1

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Oct 30

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Soaking up the last of this near-summer weather with a @dovetailbrewery kolsch at @tinytappandcafe on the Chicago Riverwalk

Soaking up the last of this near-summer weather with a @dovetailbrewery kolsch at @tinytappandcafe on the Chicago Riverwalk

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Oct 28

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From our big fall issue that’s out now...

Spotlight on @streetzartzalliance — It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination

“Today, almost 15 years in, our goal remains pretty simple: find new talent, give artists opportunities to grow and succeed, support the breweries we work with, and build a real sense of community among our artists, vendors and patrons.” — Founder John Streetz 

Read the Q&A now at IllinoisBrewing.com

From our big fall issue that’s out now...

Spotlight on @streetzartzalliance — It turns out creative, well-curated markets and Chicagoland breweries make for a great combination

“Today, almost 15 years in, our goal remains pretty simple: find new talent, give artists opportunities to grow and succeed, support the breweries we work with, and build a real sense of community among our artists, vendors and patrons.” — Founder John Streetz

Read the Q&A now at IllinoisBrewing.com

53 3

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Oct 25

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Did you know that @kaisertigerchicago in Chicago’s West Loop has a free shuttle to all Blackhawks and Bulls games (and a lot of concerts)? We did. We also know they have great food, a huge patio and a stellar beer list with local Illinois brews from the likes of @arthistorybrewing @oldirvingbrewing @goldfingerbeer @midwestcoastbrewing @hopewellbrewing and more.

Did you know that @kaisertigerchicago in Chicago’s West Loop has a free shuttle to all Blackhawks and Bulls games (and a lot of concerts)? We did. We also know they have great food, a huge patio and a stellar beer list with local Illinois brews from the likes of @arthistorybrewing @oldirvingbrewing @goldfingerbeer @midwestcoastbrewing @hopewellbrewing and more.

15 1

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Oct 22

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Illinois Brewing Insider Hannah Gilmore — the assistant taproom manager at @begylebrewing — on great recent beers from @halfacrebeer @hopbutcher and @firestonewalker as well as her affection for the vibes at @longroomchicago and @thehopleaf … and family escapes to enjoy Maine’s impressive beer scene (we’re looking at you @mainebeerco @fogtownbrewing and @oronobrewingcompany 

Read the spotlight now at illinoisbrewing.com

Illinois Brewing Insider Hannah Gilmore — the assistant taproom manager at @begylebrewing — on great recent beers from @halfacrebeer @hopbutcher and @firestonewalker as well as her affection for the vibes at @longroomchicago and @thehopleaf … and family escapes to enjoy Maine’s impressive beer scene (we’re looking at you @mainebeerco @fogtownbrewing and @oronobrewingcompany

Read the spotlight now at illinoisbrewing.com

218 16

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Oct 20

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One of the most anticipated beer events in the country, @fobab (aka the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers) is where brewers show off their most ambitious, most imaginative creations and where drinkers get to explore the absolute edge of craft beer.

Tickets for Nov. 13-14 are on sale now at FOBAB.com. Read more about this event in our Inside Scoop section at IllinoisBrewing.com

One of the most anticipated beer events in the country, @fobab (aka the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers) is where brewers show off their most ambitious, most imaginative creations and where drinkers get to explore the absolute edge of craft beer.

Tickets for Nov. 13-14 are on sale now at FOBAB.com. Read more about this event in our Inside Scoop section at IllinoisBrewing.com

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Oct 19

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Catching the Bears game at the versatile @doubleclutchbrewery in Evanston prior to the kid’s playoff baseball game down the street = a quality decision. Smoked turkey BLT, nice variety of brews, classic cars and three different rooms to enjoy.

Catching the Bears game at the versatile @doubleclutchbrewery in Evanston prior to the kid’s playoff baseball game down the street = a quality decision. Smoked turkey BLT, nice variety of brews, classic cars and three different rooms to enjoy.

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Oct 16

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Now this is a trend we can get behind — an imperial Oktoberfest. Nice little mid-October treat from Colorado’s @averybrewingcompany during a lunch meeting in Chicago today

Now this is a trend we can get behind — an imperial Oktoberfest. Nice little mid-October treat from Colorado’s @averybrewingcompany during a lunch meeting in Chicago today

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