Illinois Brewing

12/08/2024

We love quality opinions in our magazine's Last Call section, and for our upcoming winter issue, which will be out next week, the question is: WHO HAS THE COZIEST TAPROOM IN ILLINOIS? (It can be a brewery, bottle shop or bar)

If you want to see your name in print — the magazine is distributed to nearly 400 locations — shoot us a detailed answer in the comments section below or through messenger. Not just the name of a place you like in the winter, but tell us why too. Thanks in advance!

12/05/2024

Illinois Brewing Insider Beau Ingledue from Insurethebrewery.com on the Friends in Lomax Places dark lager from Forgottonia Brewing, the Old Herald Brewery & Distillery experience, discovering Pliny the Elder in an unlikely place and exploring Asheville’s impressive brewery scene

Read the spotlight: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2024/12/04/illinois-brewing-insider-beau-ingledue-on-the-friends-in-lomax-places-dark-lager-from-forgottonia-brewing-the-old-herald-brewery-experience-discovering-pliny-the-elder-and-exploring-ashevilles-bre/

12/02/2024

From the brewery: “We have a vast portfolio at Liquid Love Brewing, so anyone can come in and find something that suits them. And people appreciate that. We use the freshest, natural ingredients, so that’s the best part. You can taste the difference in our fruited sours. It’s almost like drinking a glass of fruit punch or eating a bowl of cereal with fruit on top.” — Owner Manny Khosla

Read more about Liquid Love and the other breweries and craft beer venues that call the Milwaukee Avenue corridor home in the north suburbs in our Breweries in Bunches feature: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2024/11/19/breweries-in-bunches-follow-the-milwaukee-avenue-corridor-through-the-north-suburbs-to-experience-a-handful-of-unique-inviting-craft-beer-venues/

11/30/2024

December beer sale alert at Haymarket Pub & Brewery in both their Chicago and Bridgman, Michigan locations. Buy one 4-pack, 6-pack or case, get the second one half off

11/28/2024

Ugh. This was a cool spot for sure.

The brewery changed its name to Steep Ravine Brewing Company after a dispute with Ravinia Festival and will host a taproom farewell party Dec. 14.

11/27/2024

Every Thanksgiving week, Werk Force Brewing releases a different Sleepy Bear Russian imperial stout variant on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Lines form outside no matter the weather.

Read more about it all in our spotlight on this Plainfield brewery here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2024/10/18/spotlight-on-werk-force-brewing-company-from-running-a-brewing-supply-store-to-hand-crafting-an-award-winning-brewery-in-plainfield-brandon-and-amanda-wright-are-enjoying-a-10-years-of-bringing-a-co/

11/25/2024

It was interesting to find someone immersed in Illinois Brewing’s fall issue today on a beach in Old San Juan. Where, that same person may have indulged in some tasty local brews from Ocean Lab Brewing Co. and Rincón Beer Co.

11/21/2024

Had a chance to get a sneak peak tasting of Sketchbook Brewing Company's new barrel-aged Celestial Mexican hot chocolate imperial stout earlier this week, and if this photo doesn't get you excited for the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers, you may want to check your pulse.

Aged 12 months in Willett bourbon barrels, this silky smooth variant of their Celestial stout features rich cacao, cinnamon, a touch of chili heat and a hint of nutmeg and carries some toffee and vanilla flavors as well.

Sketchbook will be releasing this stout on Friday as part of their 10-year anniversary celebration, where you can $5 select pints and $10 for all four-packs (including barrel-aged selections) all weekend long at both their Skokie and Evanston taprooms. It'll also be available at

11/20/2024

From our fall issue …
Breweries in Bunches: Follow the Milwaukee Avenue corridor through the north suburbs to experience a handful of unique, inviting craft beer venues like Mickey Finn's Brewery, Half Day Brewing Company, District Brew Yards, Hangar Two by Tangled Roots Brewing Co. and Liquid Love Brewing

Read the feature: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2024/11/19/breweries-in-bunches-follow-the-milwaukee-avenue-corridor-through-the-north-suburbs-to-experience-a-handful-of-unique-inviting-craft-beer-venues/

11/19/2024

This weekend is the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers in downtown Chicago, and it's kind of a big deal. The event will showcase an incredible selection of barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads and perries from hundreds of the most esteemed craft breweries across the nation.

Tickets to the Friday night or Saturday afternoon tasting sessions are still available. Read more about it here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2024/11/03/inside-scoop-fobab-the-esteemed-festival-of-wood-and-barrel-aged-beer-returns-to-chicago-nov-22-23/

11/18/2024

When you meet your cousin at a dive bar and are relieved to see two craft beers on draft from Crystal Lake Brewing and Polyanna Brewing Company… even if they’re served in the small plastic cups you’d find at a college party. All good.

11/17/2024

Our winter issue cover story is going to be on Illinois breweries with unique interiors, and there’s no doubt Double Clutch Brewery in Evanston qualifies with its rotating classic car collection (not to mention great food and an award-winning altbier). Great stop yesterday with a group dads and boys on our way to a high school playoff football game.

11/15/2024

Had a great time last night at One Lake Brewing in Oak Park interviewing the owners for a feature in our upcoming winter issue, devouring the fried walleye and getting a sneak preview of the barrel-aged goodness they’ll be taking to the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers next weekend. It’s a very stylish, three-level brewery housed in a former bank that dates back to 1919.

11/11/2024

We all know about the great craft beer being made across Illinois, but let’s take a moment to acknowledge some of the great food at local breweries as well, like Open Outcry Brewing Company, Eris Brewery and Cider House, One Allegiance Brewing, All Rise Brewing and Prairie Street Brewing Co. just to name a few.

11/10/2024

Illinois Brewing Insider Todd McLester on enjoying Prairie Street Brewing Co. and Tavern On Clark in Rockford, a love of Marzens and Mexican lagers (like the one from Kishwaukee Brewing Company), scenic breweries out west like MAP Brewing Co. in Bozeman, Montana, and his own Hairy Cow Brewing Company’s expansion into South Dakota

Read the spotlight from our big fall issue here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2024/11/10/illinois-brewing-insider-todd-mclester-on-enjoying-prairie-street-brewing-and-tavern-on-clark-in-rockford-a-love-of-mexican-lagers-and-his-own-hairy-cow-brewings-expansion-into-south-dakota/

11/09/2024

The challenge is on to see what happens first …
A.) Me getting my hands on some Fistmas ale from Revolution Brewing
B.) My wife having our Christmas tree up in the house
C.) The Bears getting eliminated from playoff contention

11/07/2024

Beer spotlight: Session Coastal
West Coast IPA
4.8% ABV
This low-ABV version of our popular Coastal West Coast IPA has tropical citrus flavors from West Coast and New Zealand hops.

“I’ve been impressed with Sketchbook’s Session Coastal West Coast IPA,” Preston Mick, head brewer at The Perch Kitchen and Tap in Chicago, told Illinois Brewing magazine in a recent interview. “Session IPAs are a huge go-to for me, and this one is done well. Tons of citrus, clean and crisp, light enough to have a few — right up my alley.”

Noteworthy: Session Coastal happens to be on sale throughout the month of November for just $6 pints in both taprooms and $8.99 for a 4-pack to go.

11/05/2024

From our big fall issue: Spotlight on Sundial Brewing & Blending — Owned by three childhood friends, this newish Barrington brewery embraces a local approach and pours one tasty (and hoppy) farmhouse blonde ale

Read the feature: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2024/11/05/spotlight-on-sundial-brewing-owned-by-three-childhood-friends-this-newish-barrington-brewery-embraces-a-local-approach-and-pours-one-tasty-and-hoppy-farmhouse-blonde-ale/