Category: Beer News

Skeleton Key Brewery Wrecked in Sunday's Tornadoes

Skeleton Key Brewery Wrecked in Sunday's Tornadoes
As more fundraising efforts are started to help Skeleton Key recover, I am trying to track them below. If you’d like to get a fundraising event mentioned, please use the email link above. While fortunately there were no fatalities in Sunday night’s tornadoes that struck the suburbs southwest of Chicago, there were about a hundred... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
Monday at 11:18 pm
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Goose Island/Phase Three Collaboration Stout

Goose Island/Phase Three Collaboration Stout
Another Update, March 6: Phase Three has just posted to Instagram that presales will be Wednesday, March 10, through Oznr, with pickups starting Thursday the 11th during taproom hours. Instagram link. Update, March 5: I have finally heard back from Goose Island about the sale dates. Preorders will be available Saturday, March 6 through the... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
February 23, 2021 at 10:57 pm
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This Week in Chicago Craft Beer, February 22-25

This Week in Chicago Craft Beer, February 22-25
Last week we saw a new effort to help Illinois beer makers weather the current downturn. The omnibus Brewers Economic Equity and Relief (BEER) Act of 2021 was introduced in Springfield, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cunningham, President Pro Tempore and Rep. William Davis (30th District). The bill was drafted with the non-profit Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. It would grant 150 brewpubs in the state limited self-distribution directly to stores, bypassing the "three tier" system. It would also extend permission for craft brewers to deliver their products direct to consumers homes, via employed delivery people or third party services. And it would allow brewers to ship directly to homes via FedEx or UPS. The Tribune's Josh Noel has reaction from some brewers and distributors...
By Mark McDermott,
February 21, 2021 at 12:52 am
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Some of the Beer Places We Lost (And Gained) in 2020

Some of the Beer Places We Lost (And Gained) in 2020
Maybe we would need a summary of the places that have closed down in 2020 after all. We have seen a lot of change brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic: some beer places had to close to public service entirely, or reopen at greatly diminished capacity. Some have been able to make the “pivot” to... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
January 8, 2021 at 11:34 pm
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Dixie Highway Holiday Beer Fest In a Box

Dixie Highway Holiday Beer Fest In a Box
Here’s a news release I was able to drop in quickly. I admit it’s because it was written up and sent in a timely way. Here goes: Have you been missing those great beer festivals that had to be cancelled this year? Well, we are too, so the Dixie Highway Brewery Trail is offering you... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
November 25, 2020 at 6:06 pm
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Tickets SOLD OUT for Goose Island's BCS Black Friday, but Other Events Coming

Tickets SOLD OUT for Goose Island's BCS Black Friday, but Other Events Coming
Update: As noted, I found this main event was sold out even as I wrote this. But Goose Island now has a BCS Hub page where other events are being posted. I have some more of them below. I got this press release from Goose Island this morning. By the time I could start writing... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
November 9, 2020 at 2:50 pm
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Bourbon County Stout Lottery Details Emerging

Bourbon County Stout Lottery Details Emerging
Wednesday, people who won the lottery for a chance to purchase Proprietor’s Bourbon County Stout were notified by e-mail. Now details are slowly emerging about changes in the Black Friday release for the rest of Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout lineup. The main Black Friday event has been organized by Binny’s Beverage Depot, with on-sale... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
October 15, 2020 at 3:34 pm
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Illinois Craft Beer Oktoberfest, Sept. 19 - Oct. 4

Illinois Craft Beer Oktoberfest, Sept. 19 - Oct. 4
I’ve received a news release that is indeed of interest to my beer-loving leadership. So I’m presenting it with few emendation. The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild announced on September 15 that it will launch its first-ever Oktoberfest promotion to encourage craft beer fans to explore new breweries and discover seasonal beers brewed with pride across... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
September 15, 2020 at 6:43 pm
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New Belgium Voodoo Ranger 1985 Time Machine Sweepstakes

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger 1985 Time Machine Sweepstakes
I just got news about a brief promotion that perhaps you’d be interested in. It’s got limitations: It’s a delivery promotion available only in nine Chicago ZIP Codes: 60622, 60661, 60610, 60614, 60647, 60651, 60612, 60642, or 60618. New Belgium Brewing is releasing the latest in its rotating Voodoo Ranger IPA releases. 1985 IPA hit... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
July 14, 2020 at 3:17 pm
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Argus Brewery Closes in COVID-19 Downturn

Argus Brewery Closes in COVID-19 Downturn
Argus Brewery, in Chicago’s far south Roseland neighborhood, has announced they are closing after 10 years in operation. A story today in Patch.com carried the announcement. The father and son team of Bob and Patrick Jensen opened Argus in 2009, in an old Schlitz Brewery distribution stable at 11314 S. Front St. Argus had relied... Read more »
By Mark McDermott,
April 20, 2020 at 7:42 pm
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    Mark McDermott

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