List of breweries in Illinois
| Company type | Various (nanobreweries, microbreweries, macrobreweries) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | Various |
| Headquarters | Chicago (noted as economic anchor and brewing hub) , United States |
Area served | Local, regional, national, and global markets |
Number of employees | 1,300 (direct employment at 83 breweries and brewpubs in 2012) (2012) |
Breweries located in Illinois offer an extensive variety of beer styles distributed across local, regional, national, and global markets. These establishments range from small-scale nanobreweries and microbreweries to expansive multinational macrobreweries. Illinois ranks as the 25th largest state by area and the fifth most populous, boasting a diverse economy anchored by Chicago in the northeast, several industrial centers, and abundant natural resources.
In 2012, the state’s 83 breweries and brewpubs provided direct employment to approximately 1,300 individuals while supporting over 45,000 additional jobs within wholesale and retail sectors. Factoring in suppliers of raw materials and equipment, the brewing sector and related industries contributed upwards of $1.4 billion in combined business and personal tax revenue. Consumer spending on Illinois-brewed products generated nearly $450 million more in tax income. That same year, Illinois ranked 36th nationwide for craft breweries per capita, with a total of 68.
By the close of 2013, the United States housed 2,822 breweries, including 2,768 classified as craft breweries. These were subdivided into 1,237 brewpubs, 1,412 microbreweries, and 119 regional craft breweries. The brewing industry employed around 43,000 workers across brewing and distribution roles, producing an overall economic impact that exceeded $246 billion.
A study conducted in 2015 revealed that Chicago craft brewers occupied more commercial real estate than any other U.S. city. At that time, Chicago was home to 144 craft breweries—ranking second only to Portland’s 196. In 2017, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Chicago metropolitan area led the nation with 202 breweries, surpassing Denver’s 198 and Seattle’s 168; this figure includes breweries located in adjacent parts of Indiana and Wisconsin.
Breweries
Notes:
- Within this compilation, a brewpub is defined as a taproom equipped with a kitchen; effectively functioning as both a brewery and restaurant.
- This list also encompasses producers of cider, mead, and makgeolli, which are fermented alcoholic beverages comparable to beer in alcohol content. For wineries, refer to List of wineries in Illinois.
| Name | Bottling or canning | Brewpub | Taproom | Location and additional details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 O'Clock Brewing Company | Template:Center | Template:Center | Urbana, established in 2017; taproom opened in 2018. | |
| 4204 Main Street Brewing Company | Template:Center | Belleville. Original brewpub started in 2014; expanded brewery and taproom launched in 2017; original site closed in 2021. | ||
| 5 Bines Brewery | Template:Center | Belvidere, commenced operations in 2024. | ||
| 93 Octane Brewery | Template:Center | St. Charles, founded in 2019. | ||
| Adams Street Brewery | Template:Center | Opened within the Berghoff restaurant in Chicago in 2019. | ||
| Afterthought Brewing Company | Template:Center | Template:Center | Located in Lombard, launched in 2016; separate taproom added in 2021; closed in 2024. | |
| Alarmist Brewing | Template:Center | Template:Center | Based in Chicago, opened in 2015; taproom established in 2017. | |
| Alter Brewing Company | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Brewery and taproom opened in Downers Grove (2015); canning introduced (2017); brewpubs added in St. Charles (2020) and Oak Brook (2022). |
| Alulu | Template:Center | Located in Chicago, founded in 2017. | ||
| Analytical Brewing | Template:Center | Opened its taproom in Lexington in 2022. | ||
| Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling | Template:Center | Operating since 2018 in Springfield. | ||
| Apple Knocker Hard Cider | Template:Center | Template:Center | Cider producer based in Cobden, established 2012. | |
| Arrowhead Ales Brewing Company | Template:Center | Founded in New Lenox in 2016. | ||
| Artesia Brewing | Template:Center | Opened its taproom at Thawville, Illinois in 2021. | ||
| Art History Brewing | Template:Center | Template:Center | Located in Geneva, Illinois, began operations in 2020. | |
| Banging Gavel Brews | Template:Center | Template:Center | Founded originally as a contract brewer in 2014; own facility opened at Tinley Park, Illinois by 2023. | |
| Begyle Brewing Company | Template:Center | Template:Center | Based out of Chicago, started production in 2012; taproom operational since 2015. | |
| Belly Up Beer Company | Template:Center | Western Springs, Illinois, opened its doors in 2016. | ||
| Bent River Brewing Company | Template:Center | Template:Center | {{X mark} } }} | Brewpub located in Moline, Illinois; bottling facility and taproom situated at Rock Island; founded in1997. |
Other breweries
- 9th Hour Brewing Company, located in Lake Villa, produces its beer at Harbor Brewing Company.
- Around the Bend Beer Company, established in Chicago in 2015, initially brewed at Ale Syndicate, Excel, and Burnt City; production has since moved to District Brew Yards.
- Burnt City Brewing, based in Chicago, began as Atlas Brewing Company in 2012 with a brewpub on Lincoln Avenue; its production facility launched in 2015. The name changed to Burnt City Brewing in 2016, and both locations consolidated into District Brew Yards by 2019.
- Cahoots Brewing was founded in Oak Park in 2013 and is now situated in Forest Park. Their beer is contract brewed at Church Street Brewing Company and Ten Ninety Brewing Company.
- Conrad Seipp Brewing Company of Chicago was revived as a heritage brand in 2020, with brewing carried out under contract.
- Funkytown Brewery opened in Chicago in 2021; its beer is produced at Pilot Project. The brewery is recognized for incorporating influences from Black culture and collaborating with Sam Adams.
- Golden Prairie Fermentations, originating from Chicago, operated its own brewery during the 1990s before the brand was relaunched by Argus Brewery in 2018.
- Hidden Hand Brewing, launched in 2021, has its beer brewed at Solemn Oath in Naperville.
- Hopothesis Beer Company was founded in Chicago in 2013 and utilizes contract brewing at Minhas Craft Brewery in Monroe, Wisconsin. It was acquired by Finch Beer Company in 2016.
- Local Option Bierwerker operates out of Chicago and employs various contract breweries for production.
- MillerCoors, the second-largest U.S. beer corporation after Anheuser-Busch, maintains its national headquarters in Chicago but does not operate breweries within Illinois.
- Moor's Brewing Company opened its doors in Chicago in 2021. Initially brewing took place at 18th Street Brewery (Hammond, Indiana), then production moved onsite to Diversey House (Chicago) by 2025 alongside Steep Ravine Brewing Company. The company has earned recognition through a Samuel Adams competition win.
- The Red Barn Restaurant and Brewery, located in Mount Prospect, began operations in 2018 with beer brewed at Wild Onion (Lake Barrington).
- Saint Errant Brewing was established in Chicago in 2016. Its beer is brewed at Mikerphone (Elk Grove Village) and Begyle (Chicago).
- Steep Ravine Brewing Company, formerly known as Ravinia Brewing Company and founded in 2017, started with contract brewing at Finch Brewery. It opened a pub in Highland Park (2018) and a production brewery in Chicago (2019). The original brewpub closed and rebranded as Steep Ravine in 2024; it reopened as Diversey House in 2025 where it brews alongside Moor's Brewing.
- Tocayo Brewing Company was founded as a collaboration between chef Rick Bayless and Constellation Brands in 2015. Production is contract brewed at Two Brothers (Warrenville).
- Twisted Hippo Brewing (formerly Rude Hippo), founded in Chicago in 2014, has utilized multiple contract breweries including 18th Street and Aleman Brewing. It launched its own brewpub in January 2019 but was destroyed by fire in February 2022; brewing resumed at District Brew Yards by August 2022.
- Veteran Beer Company, established in 2013 and based in Chicago, operates a brewery located in Cold Spring, Minnesota.
- WarPigs Brewing Company is a Chicago-based collaboration started in 2017 between Mikkeller (Copenhagen) and Three Floyds Brewing (Munster, Indiana). Contract brewing occurs at Great Central Brewing (Chicago) and Wisconsin Brewing (Verona). WarPigs also opened a brewpub location in Copenhagen in 2015. Three Floyds ended its partnership with Mikkeller in 2021.
- Woggly Square Brewing Company of Tinley Park, founded in 2018, produces its beer at 350 Brewing Company.
Breweries from the pre-1980 era
- Blattner & Seidenschwanz Brewery in Chicago, established around 1850 and shuttered by 1857.
- Bluff Brewery located in Quincy, launched in 1857 and ceased operations around 1910.
- Bluff City Brewery based in Alton.
- Bohemian Brewing Company of Chicago, operational from 1891 until 1896.
- William Bohn Brewery in Chicago, both opened and closed within 1893.
- Charles Brand & Ernest Hummel Brewing Company, Chicago; started in 1880 and closed in 1997.
- Michael Brand Brewery in Chicago, active from 1878 to 1879.
- Brewer & Hofmann Brewing Company, Chicago; founded in 1886 and closed by 1902.
- Brisach & Hessemer Brewery of Chicago, opened in 1858 and closed the following year.
- Broadway Brewing Company, Chicago; operated solely during 1934.
- Bucher & Hiller Brewery located in Chicago, functioning between 1858 and 1866.
- Conrad Seipp Brewing Company from Chicago, established in 1854 and ceased in 1933.
- Dick Brothers Brewery of Quincy, founded in 1856 and closed in 1951.
- Eber Brothers Brewery based in Quincy; began approximately in 1868 and ended operations by 1906.
- Galena Brewing Company of Galena, active from 1886 to 1936; known for producing Red Stripe beer (unrelated to the Jamaican brand).
- Gipps Brewing Co., Peoria; founded in 1881 and closed in 1954. Its Amberlin Beer label was acquired by Canadian Ace Brewing Company and brewed until 1963.
- Great Revivalist Brew Lab: Geneseo branch opened and closed within 2020; a new location launched in Clinton, Iowa, in 2023.
- Griesedieck Western Brewery based in Belleville; recognized as producers of Stag beer.
- Hofmann Brothers Brewery of Chicago, closed by 1925; the affiliated Hofmann Pub located in Lyons was later owned by Peter Fox Brewing Company before being destroyed by fire in 2013.
- Lill and Diversey Brewery from Chicago; founded as early as 1833.
- Manhattan Brewing Company of Chicago; started operations in 1893, later renamed Canadian Ace Brewing Company, and ceased brewing activities by 1968; historically linked to Al Capone.
- McAvoy Brewing Company located in Chicago; operated between 1865 and 1920.
- McHenry Brewery situated in McHenry; established around 1868.
- Meyer Brewing Company based in Bloomington.
- Pabst Brewing Company: originally founded in Milwaukee in 1844; maintained a brewery facility at Peoria Heights from 1934 until its closure in 1982.
- Peacock Brewery of Rockford: its initial brewhouse constructed in 1857; successively managed by Peacock Brewing Co., Rockford Brewing Co., and Rock River Brewing Co.; ultimately closed by 1939.
- Peru Beer Company located in Peru; active from 1868 to 1943.
- Peter Hand Brewing Company (later known as Meister Brau), Chicago: creators of Meister Brau beer and Meister Brau Lite; sold the Meister Brau brand to Miller Brewing Company in 1972 (which rebranded Meister Brau Lite as Miller Lite); ceased production by 1977; was the last brewery operating within Chicago until its closure in 1987.
- Reisch Brewery based in Springfield; founded in 1849 and discontinued operations by 1966.
- Ruff Brewing Company of Quincy; established in 1855 and shut down by 1948.
- Schoenhofen Brewing Company located in Chicago; producers of Edelweiss beer and Green River soda products.
- Sieben's Brewery of Chicago; notable for conflicts during Prohibition involving Dean O'Banion and Al Capone.
- Star Union Brewery situated in Peru; ceased operations by 1966.
- Stenger Brewery (operated by J and N Stenger) based in Naperville; founded during 1848 and closed by 1893.
- Warsaw Brewery of Warsaw; established in 1861, halted production by 1971, later reopened as a bar and restaurant venue in 2006.
- White Eagle Brewery located in Chicago; started brewing operations in 1904 and ended them by 1950.
Modern breweries: post-1980
- 206 Brewing Company in Carol Stream commenced operations in 2023 and ceased in 2024.
- 25 West Brewing Company, located in Bloomingdale, opened in 2018 and closed by 2020.
- 2 Fools Cider began in Naperville in 2016, relocated in 2022, and shut down in 2023.
- 350 Brewing Company started in Tinley Park in 2014 and ended operations in 2022.
- 4 Paws Brewing of Chicago launched in 2013, closed the following year, and was sold to Aquanaut Brewing.
- 57 70 Brewery has been operating in Teutopolis since its establishment in 2018.
- 5 Rabbit Cervecería was founded in Chicago in 2011, initially using contract brewing. It opened a brewery in Bedford Park in 2012 and a taproom two years later, before closing in 2020.
- 718 Brew Cafe opened its doors in Metropolis in 2016.
- Abbey Ridge Brewery and Tap Room started serving Pomona customers in 2014 but was destroyed by fire in 2017.
- Aleman Brewing Company from Chicago began with contract brewing after its founding in 2013, opened its own brewery in 2016, and closed operations by 2023.
- Ale Syndicate, established in Chicago in 2013, initially used contract brewing before opening a brewery in 2014; it ceased operations two years later.
- All Rise Brewing Company operated within Chicago's Cobra Lounge starting from 2014 until it stopped brewing activities in 2025.
- America's Brewpub at Walter Payton Roundhouse in Aurora was active between 1996 and 2011.
- Andersonville Brewing (previously Mary's Rec Room) opened a brewery and taproom in Chicago in 2009, rebranded in 2014, and closed by 2019.
- Aquanaut Brewing Company launched operations in Chicago in 2014 and closed three years later.
- Arcade Brewery functioned as an alternating proprietorship at Ale Syndicate starting in 2014 but ended business by 2016.
- Argus Brewery took over a former Schlitz distribution site in Chicago beginning operations in 2009; it closed down by 2020.
- Baderbräu Brewing Company revived its beer brand through contract brewing from 2012, opened a Chicago brewery and taproom with kitchen facilities added by 2017, then shut down in 2018.
- Ballast Point Tasting Room and Kitchen opened as a Chicago brewpub primarily serving beer brewed elsewhere (California and Virginia) starting from 2018; acquired by Kings & Convicts Brewing Company the following year; the location closed by 2021.
- Band of Bohemia, a Michelin-starred brewpub based in Chicago, operated between 2015 and its closure in 2020.
- Bearded Owl Brewing opened a Peoria brewpub in 2018 and closed five years later.
- Berghoff beer was produced under contract from the mid-1900s until ceasing production in 2018; its Chicago brewpub operated from 1990 to1993.
- Big Chicago Brewing Company, based in Zion and known for contract brewing various brands, was founded in 2012 and acquired by Ten Ninety Brewing Company two years later.
- Big Hurt Beer, owned by Frank Thomas, ran a brewhouse restaurant from 2014 until closing it down by 2016; it briefly reopened as a sports bar before final closure; the beer itself is contract brewed by Minhas Craft Brewery (Wisconsin).
- Birreria Chicago inside Eataly began operations in Chicago during 2013.
- Black Belt Brewery’s production facility with canning capabilities started up in Lake Zurich during 2016 but ceased operations the following year.
- Blue Cat Brewing Company (Rock Island), originally Blue Cat Brew Pub since its founding in1994, closed down by 2018; it reopened as Big Swing Brewing Company in 2019, reverted to Blue Cat name in 2021, then shuttered again in 2022.
- Blue Nose Brewery launched its Justice location with taproom services in 2012, relocated to Hodgkins in 2015, and closed operations by 2021.
- Border Town Pub operated as a bar with brewery functions at Momence from 2014 until closure in 2018.
- Bosacki's Brewery taproom opened at Mundelein during 2016; it remained active until shutting down in 2025.
- Box Office Brewery and Restaurant served DeKalb customers from1994 to1998 before ceasing business.
- Brass Restaurant & Brewery operated at South Barrington between2003 and2009 before closing.
- BreakRoom Brewery started as a Chicago brewpub opening in 2015 but closed within the next year.
- Byers Brewing Company commenced operations at DeKalb during 2019; it ceased activity by 2024.
- Cademon Brewing Company launched at Genoa in 2014 but shuttered after two years.
- Capitol City Brewing had a Springfield location noted here without closure details provided.
- Chain O' Lakes Brewing Company's McHenry taproom opened during 2013 but closed five years later.
- Chicago Brewing Company began operations back in1989 with no closure date specified here.
- Chief's Brewing Company of Champaign transitioned into Joe's Brewery; the bar remains open despite brewery closure.
- Copper Dragon Brewing Company of Carbondale operated between1996 and stopped brewing by2005 but continued as a music venue until shutting down completely during 2019.
- Crazy Llama Brewing Company opened at Roscoe amid the pandemic year of 2020; it closed four years later.
- Crooked Waters Peoria brewpub ceased operation around2000 without further details here.
- D and G Brewing Company began brewing at St. Charles during 2018; it remained operational until closing in 2025.
- Dry City Brew Works started serving Wheaton patrons from 2014 until ceasing business nearly a decade later.
- Effing Brew Company launched at Effingham during 2018 but ended operations four years afterward.
- Elder Brewing Company opened its Joliet location during 2017; it closed six years later.
- Emmett's Brewing Company's Wheaton brewpub shut down around 2021 while other locations continue functioning.
- Elmhurst Brewing Company began operations at Elmhurst during 2018; it remained open until closing five years later.
- Empirical Brewery established itself within Chicago starting from 2014 with an added taproom but ceased business activities by 2022.
- Evil Horse Brewing Company of Crete opened production facilities during 2016; although brewing stopped by 2024, it continues operating as a craft beer bar.
- Exit Strategy Brewing Company launched at Forest Park during 2015; it closed eight years later.
- Finch Beer Company originated as Finch’s Beer Co., opening back in 2011; after rebranding to Finch Beer Co., it briefly ran a second brewpub which closed that same year before acquiring Like Minds brewery (which was relocated). The Perch brewpub remains open while the main brewery shut down in 2022.
- First Forest Brewing Company began service at Hodgkins during 2021 but ceased operations two years later.
- Flatlander's Restaurant and Brewery served Lincolnshire customers from 1996 until closure in 2012.
- Flesk Brewing operated between Lombard/Barrington areas beginning in 2013 with a taproom added in 2017 before closing in 2023.
- Forge Brewhouse started as a Sycamore brewpub then expanded to production brewery and taproom locations (DeKalb); all ceased function in 2022.
- Forgottonia Brewing launched at Macomb during 2019; it closed five years afterward.
- Gino's Brewing Company added a brewery to Gino's East River North restaurant location (opened in 2015); both restaurant and brewery ceased business in 2020.
- Glen Ellyn Sports Brew is mentioned without specific closure information here.
- Golden Prairie Brewing was an early Chicago-area brewery operating from1992 until shutting down in 1999; beers were relaunched at Sheffield's bar/restaurant around 2018 though no new independent brewery reopened.
- Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants originated on the West Coast with its Bolingbrook site opening in 2007 before rebranding as Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in 2018.
- Govnor's Public House operated at Lake In The Hills between2001 and closure in 2008.
- Granite City chain locations across Orland Park/East Peoria/Northbrook/Rockford mostly shuttered between 2019–2020 though some Illinois sites remain active.
- Harrison's Restaurant and Brewery ran at Orland Park from1998 until closing down in 2013.
- Hofbräuhaus’s Rosemont site operated approximately from opening to closure dates not specified here; similarly for St. Louis location—all part of an international licensed chain.
- (Note: Additional breweries continue similarly summarized.)*
See also
- Beer in the United States
- List of breweries in the United States
- List of microbreweries
- List of wineries in Illinois