This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by Tom White.
You miss one week of the Hoplinks, and look what happens: Hoplink material everywhere! It was a big couple weeks for craft beer in the state as the Illinois Craft Brewer’s Guild finally completed their mission have local laws catch up to our booming industry.
In other news these past two weeks, fourth meal and a beer will soon be a reality, a crooked brewpub is still in the works, design and beer go hand in hand, and we try to think of some imaginatively named beers. Cheers to the weekend and let us know what else we missed in the comments!
SPRINGFIELD, IL – It was a busy couple weeks at the state’s capital as legislators made a couple big moves for the beer industry. Your post work libations are about to become a little more fun as happy hours are making a long overdue return. Though it seemed like they wouldn’t get it done, the House finally passed the Craft Brewer Act rewrite. [CBS, Guys Drinking Beer]
OLD IRVING PARK, CHICAGO – If you’re missing out on Ribfest this weekend, there’s another chance to get your hands on all kinds of barbecued goodness and craft beer at the Beer & BBQ Challenge on August 1st. There are some seriously good brews slated to be on tap at this festival and proceeds benefit St. Viator Parish & School in the neighbourhood.
WICKER PARK, CHICAGO – Those craving another fourth meal option will be able to continue their night at Wicker Park’s new Taco Bell. The new location will be the first to serve alcohol and will feature a higher end interior than you’d usually see at your run-of-the-mill strip mall T-Bell. [Chicago Tribune]
CHICAGO – April’s passing of Homaro Cantu, owner of Moto and Berrista, also left an uncertain future for his planned brewpub Crooked Fork Brewing. Now taking over the reigns of the business, Trevor Rose-Hamblin says we can expect the brewpub to open around the turn of the year. [Eater Chicago]
USA – Design inspired beer blog Oh Beautiful Beer is set to release their book in October, showing breweries that prioritize their design as much as they do their beer. The Hop Review’s own Jack Muldowney will be featured in the book. Pre-order your copy on Amazon.
UNITED KINGDOM – The Daily Mash takes a humorous look at the pressure all men now face to open their own brewery with “imaginatively named beers.” [The Daily Mash]
Photograph by Robert Battista