Illinois Brewing

08/12/2025

From our summer issue...
Illinois Brewing Insider Jeff Bovee on great beers from Lena Brewing Company, Hairy Cow Brewing Company and DESTIHL Brewery, making sure Grainology Batavia is a must stop this summer, and sneaking away for a drink at the historic The Stables Bar in Dixon

"We discovered Grainology a couple months ago and loved it so much that we had to take our whole family back the next weekend. I loved their New England IPA called Cumulus, and my wife thought their espresso martini was to die for."

Read it all here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2025/08/12/illinois-brewing-insider-jeff-bovee-on-great-beers-from-lena-brewing-hairy-cow-and-destihl-making-grainology-brewstillery-a-must-stop-this-summer-and-sneaking-away-for-a-drink-at-the-stables-in-dix/

08/09/2025

Quality craft beer options at the LIV Golf tournament in Bolingbrook yesterday included Off Color Brewing's stellar Beer for Golf and Goose Island's 312 and Hazy Beer Hug. And could you believe we caught people reading the summer issue of Illinois Brewing on the course even with all the great golf happening nearby? A little steamy out there, but definitely a fun experience with great access to the golfers.

08/07/2025

Brewer's Choice contribution from our summer issue: Keg Grove Brewing Company - Bloomington's Jacob Jones on central Illinois favorites — like Emancipation Brewing Company, Analytical Brewing and Evergreen Farm Brewing — a new sour program, and creating an inclusive vibe for all types of drinkers

Read it all here: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2025/08/07/brewers-choice-keg-grove-brewings-jacob-jones-on-central-illinois-favorites-and-creating-an-inclusive-vibe-for-all-types-of-beer-drinkers/

08/05/2025

One of the nearly 400 spots across the state you can find a copy of Illinois Brewing magazine is the beautiful Alter Brewing + Kitchen Oak Brook, where you can grab a Hopular Kid pale ale from Alter Brewing Company and a loaded salmon bowl as one of their $13.99 lunch specials. Weekday happy hour $5 drafts from 3-5 p.m. too.

08/04/2025

Selfishly, we’re kinda glad Corridor Brewery & Provisions doesn’t get the Cubs’ traffic you’d assume it would given its proximity just a few blocks away. Why? Because they have some of the best food anywhere around the stadium. Try the buffalo fried cauliflower and cheese curd combination as an appetizer, and the double steak patty burger or curry chicken salad wrap are tough to beat.

Read more about some hidden gem breweries around Wrigley Field in this feature from our summer issue: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2025/07/31/brewery-spotlight-wrigleyvilles-hidden-gems-for-great-craft-beer-before-or-after-a-cubs-game/

07/31/2025

From our big summer issue...
Wrigleyville's hidden gems for craft beer: Heading to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs take on the Orioles or Reds this weekend or next week? Here are a few craft breweries nearby you should know about like Corridor Brewery & Provisions, Burning Bush Brewery, Greenstar Brewing and GoodTimes Brewery

Read the spotlight: https://illinoisbrewing.com/2025/07/31/brewery-spotlight-wrigleyvilles-hidden-gems-for-great-craft-beer-before-or-after-a-cubs-game/

07/30/2025

Get ready for the annual Oak Park Micro Brew Review, which will be held on Saturday, August 16 in Downtown Oak Park. Now in its 18th year, this event features 50-plus breweries, offering a diverse range of beers, ciders, seltzers and spirits. Enjoy food from local vendors, catch live music on four different stages, and explore local businesses.

This event supports the environmental nonprofit Seven Generations Ahead, and it is the Midwest’s largest zero-waste craft beer fest. VIP access is from 12-2 p.m., and general admission is from 2-6 p.m.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 16
Time: 12-6 p.m.
Location: Downtown Oak Park
Tickets and more info: SevenGenerationsAhead.org/opmbr

07/28/2025

One of the nearly 400 locations you can find a copy of Illinois Brewing magazine is Printers Row Brewing, located in Jefferson Park on Chicago's far NW side (4801 N. Austin). On a recent visit, we enjoyed the Out of Sorts vanilla brown ale and Clouded Judgment hazy IPA. Check 'em out.

07/26/2025

This just in. We have an abundance of great breweries in this state

BEST OF THE BEST: Fourteen Illinois breweries have brought home medals from this year's U.S. Open Beer Championship. LIST: bit.ly/4lHO9Em

07/25/2025

BEER OF THE WEEK
Gratification — 6% hazy IPA
Foreign Exchange Brewing Co.
Aurora, IL

Brewed with the same carbon-filtered Aurora water as the original Foreign Exchange batches, Gratification showcases a lush, juicy medley of tropical flavors like mango, pineapple and peach up front, followed by a wave of orange citrus zest. The malt backbone is soft, and slightly sweet, offering just enough bready oat-derived body to balance the kiss of hop bitterness that's responsible for its crisp and refreshing finish. Currently on draft in the Aurora taproom.

07/24/2025

An increasingly popular trend we fully support: Having your Oktoberfest ready to enjoy in July. We’ve already got our hands on three good ones from the likes of Une Année Brewery, Church Street Brewing Company and More Brewing Co.