DESTIHL Brewery opened its first gastro brewpub in Normal, Illinois, in November 2007 combining centuries-old, global brewing traditions and new American craft brewing ingenuity and artisanship to produce a wide array of beers for every palate. The result is a diverse offering of intensely flavorful beers that are anything but bland. The brewery currently distributes its beers internationally and in over 35 states, with more to come. Read More
The Church Street Brewing Company is an award winning craft brewery located in Itasca — a western suburb of Chicago. We love what we do! We brew traditional and unpretentious lagers and ales that represent the old and new beer styles of European influence. We serve locally, nationally and internationally. Come on down and enjoy a beer and tour (free) of our brewery. We love to connect, converse and share our craft beer knowledge with fellow beer lovers! All are welcome! Read More
Located on the Mississippi River’s Illinois border, Bent River Brewing Company was founded in 1997 with a passion for perfecting handcrafted beer that captures the true spirit of traditional brewing and replicates that spirit with unwavering consistency. The result is a line of award-winning, distinctive, year-round and seasonal beers that is savored by beer lovers everywhere. Bent River Brewing currently distributes in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. Read More
What started in 1996 as a small group of homebrewers who simply wanted to make great beer evolved into the team of adventurers known today as Ballast Point Brewing Company. From bringing a hoppy twist to a porter or adding four types of malt to its amber ale, to creating the breakthrough gold-medal winning Sculpin IPA, the San Diego-based company is known for adding its touch and asking if there’s a better way. Now an internationally recognized leader in the craft brewing industry with 6 brewery locations in California and Chicago, the company makes over 50 styles of beer and distributes to all 50 states and 17 countries internationally. Read More
This brewery has permanently closed. Argus Brewery was an award-winning, family-owned craft brewery in the historic Pullman neighborhood on Chicago’s South side. Read More
Alter Brewing Company opened in December 2015 in Downers Grove, Illinois, just west of Chicago. They are passionate beer lovers dedicated to producing beer of the highest quality while pushing the boundaries of traditional styles. They seek to leverage their passion and craft into serving and improving the local community and beyond. The Alter space features a state of the art brew house and a beautiful modern-industrial taproom that is open 7 days a week. Read More
Alarmist Brewing is a Chicago-based craft brewery located in the Sauganash neighborhood at 4055 West Peterson Avenue. Our taproom is a delight! The tasting room features plentiful seating and a bar in a funky warehouse setting. We left corporate America behind to brew beer. It’s the greatest thing we’ve ever done. Alarmist Brewing opened in 2015 and is known for producing Le Jus, the 2018 GABF Gold Medal winner for hazy IPAs. Read More
Steam Hollow Brewing made the outrageous claim that the murder of George Floyd was staged, and as one would expect, the backlash was justifiably fierce. Read More
Goose Island Beer Co. releases a colorful beer for Pride Month in Shea Coul-Alé, a lemony wheat ale brewed in collaboration with drag queen Shea Couleé. Read More
As Illinois’ breweries remained closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, breweries of all sizes have come up with creative ideas to get their beer to customers. Read More
For years, small and independent U.S. craft breweries have been turning the beer world upside down. Their ability to take risks, innovate flavors and build better communities has made the U.S. the craft beer capital of the world.
To proudly display that independent spirit, the Brewers Association created a symbol to unify U.S. craft breweries and those who want to support them. This certified mark gives beer lovers an easy way to identify independent craft beer.
Learn more about what it means to be an Independent Craft Brewer by visiting the Brewers Association.
