Illinois

Illinois Beer

by Jay Brooks on December 3, 2011 · 0 comments

in Beers,Breweries

Today in 1818, Illinois became the 21st state.

Illinois

Illinois Breweries

Illinois Brewery Guides

Guild: Illinois Craft Brewers Guild

State Agency: Illinois Liquor Control Commission

Capital: Springfield
Largest Cities: Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, Naperville, Peoria
Population: 12,419,293; 5th
Area: 57918 sq. mi., 25th
Nickname: Prairie State
Statehood: 21st, December 3, 1818

Alcohol Legalized: December 5, 1933
Number of Breweries: 52
Rank: 10th
Beer Production: 8,999,624
Production Rank: 5th
Beer Per Capita: 21.6 Gallons

Package Mix:

Bottles: 44.6%
Cans: 45.4%
Kegs: 9.7%

Beer Taxes:

Per Gallon: $0.23
Per Case: $0.51
Tax Per Barrel (24/12 Case): $6.98
Draught Tax Per Barrel (in Kegs): $6.98
$0.12/gallon in Chicago & beer sold in clubs plus additional 10% retail tax for all beer sold in clubs

Economic Impact (2010):

From Brewing: $748,215,023
Direct Impact: $2,730,875,319
Supplier Impact: $2,317,033,213
Induced Economic Impact: $3,238,802,131
Total Impact: $8,286,710,664

Legal Restrictions:

Control State: No
Sale Hours: On Premises: Depending on local government; 24-hour bars are permitted in Cicero; a handful of 21-22 hour bars exist in Cook County, and the Metro East.
Off Premises:
Grocery Store Sales: Yes
Notes: Opening/closing hours are up to the decision of counties or towns.

Data complied, in part, from the Beer Institute’s Brewer’s Almanac 2010, Beer Serves America, the Brewers Association, Wikipedia and my World Factbook. If you see I’m missing a brewery link, please be so kind as to drop me a note or simply comment on this post. Thanks.

For the remaining states, see Brewing Links: United States.

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Beer Birthday: Wil Turner

by Jay Brooks on November 28, 2011 · 1 comment

in Birthdays

Today is the 44th birthday of Wil Turner, brewer at Goose Island Brewery. Wil’s originally from California — or at least that’s where I first met him — but moved to Chicago to brew at the Clybourn Goose Island brewpub, eventually moving to the production side. Since the sale of Goose Island, Wil’s moved over to brewing at Revolution Brewing, a brewpub also in Chicago. Wil’s a great brewer, of course, and a terrific person for the industry, always a fun guy to drink with. Join me in wishing Wil a very happy birthday.

Wil, me and Greg Hall at GABF in 2006.

Tom Nickel with Wil at the Brewer’s Reception at Wynkoop during GABF in 2009.

On the floor at GABF in 2007 with Andrew Mason (on left), Matt’s assistant when he was still at Flossmoor Station, and Wil.

Wil, also at the 2006 GABF, sadly empty.

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Beer Birthday: Greg Hall

by Jay Brooks on November 5, 2011 · 4 comments

in Birthdays

Today is also the 46th birthday of Greg Hall, former brewmaster at Goose Island Brewing. Goose Island, of course, makes some incredible beers. Founded by Greg’s father John Hall in 1988, Greg became brewmaster a few years later and has been setting high standards ever since, though he left after the family business was acquired by ABI. His new venture will be with Virtue Cider. Join me in wishing Greg a very happy birthday.

Greg with Alex Puchner, head of brewing operations for BJs.

Greg with the owners of Monk’s Kettle in San Francisco.

Wil Turner, also with Goose Island, me and Greg at the 2006 GABF.

Greg pulling a proper pint of English brewed Honkers Ale at the Crosse Keys in London (this last photo purloined from Facebook).

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Beer Birthday: Jonathan Cutler

by Jay Brooks on October 22, 2011 · 0 comments

in Birthdays

Today is the 39th birthday of Jonathan Cutler, brewmaster/owner of Piece Brewing in Chicago. His brewpub makes great pizza and even better beer. Plus, he’s a terrific, fun person. So join me in wishing Jonathan a very happy birthday.

Serving beer and pizza at the CBC Reception at the Field Museum.

At Stone Brewery during CBC in San Diego in 2008. From left: Peter Schell, Eric Rose (Hollister Brewing), Ian Ward (Brewers Supply Group), Jonathan Cutler (Piece Brewing), Chad Kennedy (Laurelwood Public House) and Fal Allen (now back at Anderson Valley).

Jonathan picking up another GABF award for Piece in 2007.

Jonathan tearing up during Dave Keene and Jennifer Smith’s wedding during GABF this year.

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Beer Birthday: Don Feinberg

by Jay Brooks on August 18, 2011 · 1 comment

in Birthdays

Today is Don Feinberg’s 56th birthday. Don, along with his wife Wendy Littlefield, runs the Belgian export company Vanberg & DeWulf. Their portfolio includes such great beer lines as Dupont, Castelain and Dubuisson (Bush). They were also the original founders of Brewery Ommegang. This year is their 30th anniversary of being involved in the beer industry and bringing great beer to America. Plus, they’re great fun to hang out and drink with. Join me in wishing Don a very happy birthday.

Don, along with the Dubuisson brewmaster, being poured Lambrucha in Chicago in 2010.

Wendy Littlefield, Don and Greg Engert at a Vanberg & DeWulf tasting in Washington, D.C. (photo by Chuck Cook)

Wendy and Don in 1979.

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Beer Birthday: Ray Daniels

by Jay Brooks on June 9, 2011 · 5 comments

in Birthdays

Today is the 53rd birthday of Ray Daniels. Ray is the former director of Craft Beer Marketing for the Brewers Association and today runs the Cicerone program, which he founded, to certify beer professionals, similar to sommeliers in the wine industry. He also founded the Real Ale festival that used to take place annually in Chicago. And he’s one of my favorite people in the beer industry. Join me in wishing Ray a very happy birthday.

Ray speaking at the Great American Beer Festival awards ceremony in 2006.

On the floor at GABF with Bob Pease, from the Brewers Association, Mark Dorber, publican extraordinaire, and John Mallet, from Bell’s Brewery.

It’s hard not to love his Cicerone press photo.

Ray with his assistant Sarah Huska at the Cicerone booth at this year’s CBC in Chicago.

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Beer Birthday: Sarah Huska

May 26, 2011

Today is the 25th birthday — how is that possible? — of Sarah Huska. Sarah is the program administrator for the Cicerone Certification Program that Ray Daniels founded. I got to meet Sarah while I was in Chicago for CBC last year, at the Siebel open house. You can also read much more about Sarah [...]

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Anheuser-Busch InBev Buys Goose Island

March 28, 2011

I received a press release this morning that Anheuser-Busch InBev is buying a controlling interest in Goose Island Brewing. ABI will pay $22.5 million for a 58% share of the Chicago brewery and the remaining 42% currently owned by the Craft Brewers Alliance will be sold to ABI for an additional $16.3 million in cash, [...]

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Make A Pipe Dream Come True: Invest In Pipeworks Brewery

December 11, 2010

Looking for a unique gift for yourself or a loved one? Why not invest in a brewery? Seem like a pipe dream? Well, then the Pipeworks Brewery may be for you. Two self-avowed beer geeks living in Chicago, Beejay Oslon and Gerrit Lewis, are trying to raise enough money to make their dream of starting [...]

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The Chicago Beer Market

November 22, 2010

Chicago Business has a lengthy, but interesting, article online about the beer market in the windy city. It’s entitled Pay-to-play infects Chicago beer market, Crain’s investigation finds, and was written by a trio of reporters: James Ylisela Jr., David Sterrett and Kate MacArthur. Corruption, of course, infects virtually all business everywhere and while Chicago has [...]

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Small Town Stupidity

October 5, 2010

The most recent issue of Reason magazine arrived yesterday, and I stumbled on this little tale of small town stupidity from Quincy, Illinois. A man living there, Jonathon Schoenakase, suffered the loss of a good friend at the hands of a drunk driver. His response was unusual and was an incredibly positive reaction to a [...]

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