Question of the day
Wednesday, Nov 9, 2022 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* WSIU…
Inflation and the war in Ukraine are packing a one-two wallop when it comes to prices paid for agricultural commodities and consumer goods — including alcohol. Together, Ukraine and Russia produce around 30% of the barley in the world, and Ukraine alone produces 16% of the world’s corn supply. With craft brewers reporting up to 100% price increases on barley, local artisans are struggling to keep prices low while retaining their niche in the local dining and entertainment market. […]
The reasons Illinois specialty farmers are slow to embrace hops production include a high risk for crop failure — no federal crop insurance is offered to cover hops production in Illinois — and an underdeveloped statewide market for their harvested crop. This is according to University of Illinois Extension’s David McCarty, a local food and small farm educator who acted as a point of contact for Midwest hops growers from 2015 until 2019.
“One of the challenges with hops is finding your buyers and markets while recognizing that all of the breweries near you may not want to buy your cones,” McCarty said. “It’s also a crop that can be affected strongly by insect pests-diseases (and get hit hard) and also needs water (a drought year is tough) in which cone quality suffers. For inexperienced growers/individuals without growing experience, this can be hard to translate from learning about in a classroom to actually seeing in your field.” […]
Startup costs can also be a major hurdle for young or beginning farmers who want to invest in hops to overcome. A single acre of hops can require an investment of $10,000 to $12,000 per acre, according to some hops farmers.
* Virginia also lacks infrastructure for prospective barley farmers. WVTF…
The craft brewing industry is driving up demand for barley, which can be used to make malt, one of the main ingredients to make beer. A new effort is underway to help more farmers grow malt barley in southwest Virginia.
According to the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild Association, there are currently over 300 breweries in the state, but very few use grains that were grown locally. Most malt barley is grown in the Midwest. […]
In order to help more farmers scale up, they need more infrastructure to help them clean, market and ship their barley to local buyers, said Amy Byington, a Virginia Tech extension agent in Lee County. She’s working on a project to build a new storage facility in Wise County, funded by a grant from the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program.
“It will have grain cleaners, it will have storage. It will have the capability to handle grain, which is our problem right now, we don’t have any infrastructure. All of it was basically destroyed whenever flour mills left our area.”
* The Times-Call…
That’s emblematic of one of the many issues facing the craft-brewing industry today: a worldwide shortage and price inflation of CO2 that is limiting the ability of brewers to get an adequate supply of one of the most essential ingredients in the brewing process. Combine that with general supply-chain problems and commodity price inflation, and the craft beer industry is facing disruption on multiple fronts.
“Our business is, to some degree, under siege,” Left Hand co-founder and president Eric Wallace said.
CO2 is one of the most vital parts of the brewing process. It is used not only to add carbonation to the beer, but also to clean fermentation tanks and keep them free of oxygen before they’re refilled.
According to data from Bart Watson, chief economist for the Boulder-based Brewers Association, CO2 has seen steeper producer price index inflation than any other brewing input cost, including malt, paperboard, aluminum and shipping. This time of year usually has some kind of CO2 shortage, Watson said, but this year is far worse.
Support your local craft brewery! The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild has a handy list to track down a location from the over 200 breweries in Illinois.
* More…
* The Question: Do you have a favorite brewery? Explain.
My personal favorite is Scratch Brewing in Ava.
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:21 pm:
“Do you have a favorite brewery?”
Blue Island Beer Co.
Great beer, a wonderful staff and a lovely tap-room.
– MrJM
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:23 pm:
I hope they can fix the crop insurance issue with craft beer crops in the next farm bill.
I have been a fan of DeStihl in Normal for years and taken out of town visitors to their huge brew hall several times, but am a bit less enthusiastic about them now because they hosted a Kevin McCarthy fundraiser there for Esther Joy King on election eve.
- Bean Counter - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:27 pm:
When I traveled almost monthly through the QC, I always found time to make a stop at Bent River to pick up a growler of their Uncommon Stout.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:29 pm:
In Illinois, I like DeStihl’s offerings quite a bit, and Riggs in Urbana has a very nice hefeweizen. I also confess to being a big fan of New Glarus north of the border and grabbing a bunch whenever I am in Wisconsin.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:30 pm:
DESTIHL, and of course, Oswego Brewing.
DESTIHL is a great, if down near Blo-No, I’ll stop.
Oswego Brewing, yeah, I frequent quite a bit, which means once a month. Great staff, good beer, the parking lot tent is also a nice thing too
- The Real Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:37 pm:
Agree with hisgirlfriday about liking Destihl less because of that fundraiser.
I like Anvil & Forge here in Springfield and I’m a fan of Half Acre in Chicago. Also love Off Color in Chicago, if only because of their super firm vaccination stance haha.
- Seats - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:37 pm:
Hop Butcher The World who are opening up their renovated brewery tomorrow.
- /s - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:37 pm:
When it comes to BloNo breweries, I actually prefer Lil Beaver to Destihl.
Triptych in Savoy (just outside of Champaign) is excellent and always worth a visit when in the area.
In Chicago, my top 3 are Dovetail, Old Irving Brewery and Metropolitan Brewing, which also boasts a great outdoor seating area right on the north branch of the Chicago River.
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:41 pm:
In Illinois: Destihl. Great beer and good food at their restaurants.
Overall: Depending on the day Oliphant, Schlafly, or BlackStack
- Northsider - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:41 pm:
Opening round:
Alarmist, Dovetail and Sketchbook.
- Northsider - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:42 pm:
Chaser: Rogers Park’s very own, Howard St. Brewing Co.
- Blue Dog - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:43 pm:
my favorite brewery A& W.
scratch has great bread but beer…
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:45 pm:
“Metropolitan Brewing, which also boasts a great outdoor seating area right on the north branch of the Chicago River.”
And just across the parking lot is the Judson & Moore distillery, host to many outstanding musical performers.
– MrJM
- Jaguar - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:47 pm:
I think I’ve been out to my local brewery, McHenry Brewing, once since the pandemic. I think I’ll stop by this weekend. Thanks for the idea.
I’m not a fan of IPA’s, I recently came across this link about gruit ale, which uses preservatives other than hops. The tale of gruit and how hops came to dominate ale preservation is an interesting one. https://www.gruitale.com/
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:47 pm:
I haven’t sampled many, but being a Springfieldian, I do like both Obed & Isaac’s and Engrained.
Beyond Illinois, Schlafly’s and Yuengling.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:49 pm:
I know it’s big but, Lagunitas is a top pick of mine
I would add Oswego Brewing Company to a list of ones I look for.
- Chicagonk - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:50 pm:
For Illinois I would say Maplewood or Ravinia
Nationwide my favorite is Toppling Goliath.
- Banish Misfortune - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:51 pm:
I made it a personal goal this year to bike to every local brewpub I could. Special points to breweries that offered a either a good lower alcohol or sold half pints (I did not want to fall off my bike). Favorite destinations were Sketchbook and Spiteful. I like Alarmist but their beer garden set up was not great. Double Clutch and Temperance also okay.
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:51 pm:
Sketchbook Brewing Co. is another outstanding brewery if you’re up Evanston and Skokie way.
– MrJM
- DuPage Michigander - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
So many favorites! Hop Butcher for hazy IPAs. Other IL favorites include Pollyanna) out of Lemont and Noon Whistle in Lombard. Noon Whistle has a Maple Pecan Brown Ale that is interesting.
I am a bit partial to Michigan craft beers (Perrin, Short’s). My introduction to craft beer was Bell’s back in the day when it was still a tiny operation and not the behemoth it is now. Back when Oberon was known as Solsun, their Amber Ale was the go-to, and when Two-Hearted debuted.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 2:54 pm:
I’m a fan of macro brews, particularly Heineken. So that makes my favorite brewery Zoeterwoude, near Leiden, in the Netherlands.
- H-W - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:00 pm:
Only one brewery within an hour of here. Forgottonia Brewing.
Unfortunately, I do not drink and drive (I broke my neck doing so at 18). In addition, my wife does not drink at all, so “going out” doesn’t happen.
I am not one to judge brewers (except that Milwaukee Brewer), but Forgottonia does craft well, and offers several flavors.
- cermak_rda - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:05 pm:
Metropolitan makes a pretty good Doppelbock. An awesome brew that isn’t brewed enough in the country. They also made a great Oktoberfest beer this year. Also Two Brothers out in DuPage always scores with their Atomsmasher Oktoberfest beer. When I’m in Iowa I like to stop by Millstream. It’s in the middle of the Amanas and you can sit out on their porch drinking while looking at the Millstream in question. Amana is also nice because one can walk around drinking beer fron the pub without any issues.
- DHS Drone - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:07 pm:
For beer my favorite is Maplewood but their taproom is small. Old Irving Brewery has great beer, great food for a brewpub, and is good to take the little ones.
Metropolitan is definitely the prettiest taproom.
For just hanging out all day solo I’d say Dovetail. For having no kitchen their snack options are great. And they always have Underberg.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:09 pm:
Nope. I don’t care for beer. So there’s more for the rest of you.
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:12 pm:
Locally, still in mourning over Rolling Meadows (Abe’s Ale).
Outside Illinois? Great Lakes Brewing (Edmund Fitzgerald, Eliot Ness). New Holland Brewing (Ichabod Pumpkin Ale). North Coast Brewing (Rasputin, Scrimshaw, #1 craft Pilsner in the US).
- Gruntled University Employee - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:12 pm:
Triptych Brewing in Savoy, I haven’t had a bad brew there yet.
- Tracy - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:12 pm:
I’m a big fan of Revolution and Maplewood in Chicago. My local is Dry City in Wheaton, which isn’t at that level, but nice to have around.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:21 pm:
If barrel-aged brews are your thing, Riverlands in St. Charles, Wolf Den in Bloomingdale, Noon Whistle in Lombard and Black and Gray in East Dundee are all putting out some really excellent examples of the craft.
- Ms_KJP - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:27 pm:
Destihl and White Oak in BloNo
Outside IL - Metazoa and Sun King in Indy and Schlafly in StL
- Been There - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:28 pm:
==== I’m a fan of macro brews, =====
I agree 100%. I go to some breweries in my neighborhood but mostly just to eat. One use to have some domestic beers for people like me but they stopped having them.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:29 pm:
Riverlands Brewing Company in St.Charles is very good. But my favorite is The Plank Road Tap Room in Elgin – not a brewery but an amazing spot that has great indoor/outdoor accommodations including fire pits, hiking trails, food trucks, and a great rotating selection of local craft beers.
- sulla - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:31 pm:
Mrs. Sulla and I are huge fans of Pig Minds Brewing Company in Machesney Park. Their all-vegan food menu hits just the right blend of creative/culinary while still being appropriate cuisine for the brewpub setting. We make a point to stop there anytime we’re traveling within 100 miles of the place.
- Lefty Lefty - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:35 pm:
The best beer I’ve ever had is Art History in Geneva. I’m not exaggerating. They make almost everything too - lagers, pilsners, stouts, weiss, IPAs, hazy…something for all beer tastes.
https://arthistorybrewing.com
- Techie - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:36 pm:
I’m no beer connoisseur, but I do like Two Brothers’ beers. The Northwind imperial stout is pretty tasty.
- Original Rambler - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 3:38 pm:
Metropolitan. Great location. No IPAs. New Glarus in second. Good beers and a terrific beer garden area.
I don’t get the love for Destihl.
- Lurker - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 4:08 pm:
Great Lakes Brewery
Locally I like Anvil & Forge
Lastly, if craft beer prices double, we need to seriously consider helping Ukraine with a counter invasion
- Facts Matter - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 4:17 pm:
My kitchen. I began brewing my own beer during time at home during Covid.
- Stormsw7706 - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 5:20 pm:
Golden Fox in Decatur is top notch with lots of variety. Obed and Issacs on Springfield is also hard to beat. Lots of good picks by the other contributors here
- clec dcn - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 5:30 pm:
I am old home brewer my favorite topic. In Illinois Two Brothers is pretty hard to beat. The Wobble IPA is great. Outside of Illinois long term fan of Sierria Nevada and Great Lakes Brewing. As I sure wish they would grow some hops what a great crop and need. I say give them some incentive to make a go of the crop. JB……….here is your chance to expand Illinios i all for it.
- Gail - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 5:51 pm:
Two Brothers in Illinois and Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer, Michigan
- Sweetgums - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 8:23 pm:
You folks have good taste. If you’re in Springfield, I recommend a stop at Terra Ferment downtown on 6th St. (the old Cafe Andiamo), where you can sample the wares of just about every brewery mentioned above. That’s where I learned that anything from Scratch is worth a try regardless of how odd it might sound. Beet gose? Absolutely delicious. Persimmon brew? Refreshing,slightly tart, and the cleanest aftertaste I’ve ever had with beer. They work magic down there.
- West Side the Best Side - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:03 pm:
Buckledown in Lyons. A great Oktberfest Marzen, which is still on tap,and for Election Day all their beers were $5. Also Imperial Oak in Willow Springs and Brookfield, their Oktberfest, Das Boot, is no longer on tap but they might have some cans left.
- G'Kar - Wednesday, Nov 9, 22 @ 10:15 pm:
==My personal favorite is Scratch Brewing in Ava==
Ah, as a friend of mine says: Scratch is what craft brewing would be if the hippies had won./g
I actually like Scratch, but I would say that there are so, so many really good craft breweries today that it is hard to really list my favorites (but to be fair there are also a large number of mediocre ones as well). My favorites in central Illinois are Triptych in Savoy, White Oak in BN and my “local” and favorite, John S. Rhodell’s in Peoria.