9 Best Breweries in Illinois!
For those with a passion for beer, Illinois is home to several high-quality breweries churning out noteworthy brews. The best breweries in Illinois are often family-owned and operated by people who also have a passion for fine-tasting beer. Some of these breweries have been around for several decades, while others just recently opened a few years ago. Nonetheless, they all produce unique, flavorful beer and offer guests samples.
Half Acre Beer Company, Chicago, IL
This rustic-chic brewery in Chicago is known for brewing classic American micro styles, wyld beers, and weighted barrel offerings. They use mixed fermentation techniques to brew raw beers with an intensity that can only be accomplished with careful and selective brewing materials. A wide selection of beers are offered in the tap room, along with food items such as burritos and steak.
Church Street Brewing Company, Itasca, IL
Church Street Brewing Company is best known for their solid, award-winning beers. To achieve a European style, their beers are crafted from a wide variety of ales and lagers. Their craft beers have a strong German influence, and tasters can witness these flavors in the tap room.
Bent River Brewing Company, Moline, IL
Over 10,000 barrels of handcrafted beer are produced by the Bent River Brewing Company each year. Here visitors taste award-winning beer, such as the Mississippi Blonde, and visit the brew pub. This special brewery has a dinner restaurant, full bar, and large outdoor patio for guests.
Goose Island Brewery, Chicago, IL
As one of the best-known and most innovative breweries in Chicago, Goose Island Brewery produces approximately 500 cases of beer and 50 kegs an hour. They use stainless steel casks for fermentation, flavor-soaked wine barrels, fresh fruit and wild yeasts, and a special barrel aging program to produce top-quality beers. Visitors can tour this legendary brewery and experience the beer-making process up close.
Two Brothers Brewing, Warrenville, IL
Family owned and operated for over 20 years, Two Brothers Brewing is all about independently innovating high-quality, flavorful beers. They offer a wide variety of artisan beers, sours, French country ales, and German hefeweizens. Their award-winning beers are crafted with conscious, family values, and sustainability.
Triptych Brewing, Savoy, IL
Triptych Brewing is named for the three main, raw ingredients they use in their beer-making process. They have brewed over 100 different types of beers and enjoy creating new and different varieties. Visitors can sample these varieties in the tap room or take samples to go.
Big Muddy Brewing, Murphysboro, IL
Big Muddy Brewing is a comfortable, friendly brewery in Southern Illinois. They offer a wide selection of tasty brews such as winter and pale ales and specialty brews like the Pumpkin Smasher and Blueberry Blonde. Tours and tastings are available for guests to sample their brews.
Iron Spike Brewing Company, Galesburg, IL
Known for their amazing beer selection, Iron Spike Brewing Company is a top tourist destination in Galesburg. They offer fine-quality craft beers and culinary delights in a rustic environment. Kids are also welcome at the Iron Spike Brewing Company, and games such as darts and billiards are available in the pub.
Temperance Beer Company, Evanston, IL
Temperance Beer Company is all about making life better through great beer. Here guests can comfortably sample Temperance’s freshest beer in a relaxing ambiance. On-tap brews may include a variety of pale ales, sours, the Gatecrasher IPA or Peach Saison to name a few. Kids are welcome in the tap room until 8:30 pm.
