Ale to the Burbs, a group of suburban beer bloggers and Nevin’s Brewing Company are teaming up to put on the 1st annual “Illinois Suburban Brewers Summit.” The event is this Saturday, March 8th, at Nevin’s Brewing Company (12337 South Route 59, Plainfield) and — yes — there will be beer.
The idea is to get suburban brewers, who are fairly spread out, together to talk about the industry, the Chicago-area market and future collaborations. We reached out to the beer writers behind Ale to the Burbs to find out more about the event, why city beer drinkers should care what suburban brewers are doing and what’s going to be pouring at the event (spoiler alert: Nevin’s tap list looks ridiculous). Below are answers conjured up by Jeremy Teel of SubBeerBia, Kevin Bastian of Pour Man Beer, and Eric Woodruff of Blah Blah Beer.
Guys Drinking Beer: In a nutshell, what is the Suburban Brewers Summit and why do you see the need to gather brewers in the suburbs together under one roof for a night?
Ale to the Burbs: The Illinois Suburban Brewers Summit is a chance for Chicagoland brewers and beer fans to gather together to celebrate and learn about the state of brewing in the suburbs. The wide geographic area of the suburbs doesn’t always lend itself to getting multiple brewers in one location to connect with each other and consumers. The Summit aims to serve as a social and educational outlet for both groups.
GDB: For those of us that don’t venture out of the city too often or for those who only think of breweries in the city limits, can you talk a bit about the craft brewing climate in the suburbs? What areas have seen the most growth?
AttB: What differentiates the suburban craft beer scene so much right now from the city’s is how much more the destinations are spread out and the number of events being held. While you can hit up a few taprooms in one night in the city without traveling too far, you’re more than likely going to make a night of heading to just one in the suburbs. This will change as more and more breweries pop up, but for now it is vital for suburban breweries to work with as many craft beer bars and bottle shops as possible to get their name and beers in front of more people and gain more exposure.
Growth in the suburbs had been west of the city. Now there are several breweries calling the suburbs home. Suburban Cook County along with the collar counties have become a virtual petri dish. There are several suburban breweries in various stages of development indicating that the trend will continue in 2014 and beyond.
GDB: Not asking you to pick favorites, but if you had to recommend a few suburban breweries to visit — which ones would you encourage people in the city or visiting to the city to see and why?
AttB: The suburban craft beer scene started with Two Brothers almost 20 years ago, and they continue to set the bar for their brethren. Whether you visit the original tap house in Warrenville or the massive roundhouse in Aurora, you’re sure to find at least one beer of theirs you’ll add to your go-to list.
For an urban vibe in the heart of the suburbs, Naperville’s Solemn Oath is a perfect spot. Though small, the taproom feels much larger thanks to the low wall separating it from the brewery. Plus, tight quarters mean you’re bound to make some new friends over beers from SO’s ever-changing taplist.
Itasca-based Church Street Brewing is only a couple years old but is well-known throughout Chicagoland for making traditional German lagers hip again within the craft beer market. Plus, no one gives a brewery tour more chock-full of information than Owner/Brewmaster Joe Gregor.
GDB: Do you think suburban communities are overlooked as destinations for craft beer drinkers? And, if so, any thoughts or ideas as to how to raise the profile of those communities so someone flying into O’Hare or Midway thinks beyond Goose Island Clybourn/Wrigleyville, Haymarket, Half Acre, etc?
AttB: It only seems natural that well-established urban breweries would come to mind as destinations first. Goose Island has been around longer than some younger brewers have been alive. But over time, many suburban breweries have already started to create their own mythos. Look at what 3 Floyds has done with Zombie Dust and Dark Lord Day. Beer fans across the country and beyond want those beers.
The biggest factor for suburban brewers is brewing quality beer that stands out, followed by building a loyal following in the Chicagoland area that will advocate for them. Make great beer consistently, gain local support, build hype that you can back up, and the people will come.
GDB: I know your first summit isn’t in the books yet, but do you plan on making these a regular occurrence?
AttB: Suburban breweries and beer drinkers alike face many common issues, and there’s a huge opportunity for brewers to learn from each other, including their city-based brethren, as far as what’s working, what’s not, and ways to work together to keep the Chicagoland beer scene moving in the right direction. The Summit offers an opportunity for everyone involved to learn from one-another. If the Summit is successful in achieving its goals, we see it returning each year. Obviously, we expect that we will find opportunities for improvement and will make the necessary changes, but we feel there is value in an event such as this.
GDB: Finally, looking at the event on March 8th, I know a number of breweries will be pouring samples. Any particular beer or beers you’re most eager to try?
AttB: We will have Bourbon County Barley Wine. Can anyone get enough of Goose Island’s Bourbon County variants? As fans of the Wild Sour Series, we look forward to having Gose from Destihl. In four years, Revolution has become a staple of Chicagoland beer and we will have their 4th Year Beer. With so much buzz about 350 Brewing’s Crook County IPA, we are excited to have it pouring at the Summit. Nevin’s has decided to offer a novelty line-up for the event consisting of the following beers:
What: Illinois Suburban Brewers Summit
When: Saturday, March 8th 6:30pm — 9:30pm
Where: Nevin’s Brewing Company, 12337 South Route 59, Plainfield, IL
Tickets: $25 (includes 15 4 oz samples, appetizers, a tasting glass & live music following the event)