Illinois Has the Best Beers in America? These Award-Winning Brews Just Proved It

One thing Chicago—and Illinois—excels at is brewing beer. Recently, 14 [breweries](https://secretchicago.com/best-breweries-chicago/) from Illinois brought home medals from this year’s U.S. Open Beer Championship. Adams Street Brewery, based in Chicago’s Loop, achieved impressive results, claiming two gold medals in the Foreign Stout and Kentucky Common categories. Brothership Brewing, located in Mokena, won three medals, including a gold in the Hazy/Juicy Strong Pale Ale category for its beer called AntiMatter Other Illinois breweries that received top awards include Hop District Community Brewing Company, Crystal Lake Brewing, 9th Hour Brewing Company, and Riverlands Brewing Company. Award-Winning Beers from Illinois ------------------------------------- Hazy/Juicy Strong Pale Ale Gold: AntiMatter – Brothership Brewing, Illinois New England/Juicy DIPA Gold: Indistinguishable From Magic – Triptych Brewing, Illinois Silver: Sauced in Space – Brothership Brewing, Illinois Milkshake IPA Silver: Strawberry Double Marbles – More Brewing Company, Illinois Foreign Stout Gold: Der Reisende – Adams Street Brewery, Illinois Pastry Stout Gold: Kodiak’s Revenge BBA – Raspberry Pączki, Ike & Oak Brewing Co., Illinois English Summer Ale Gold: Farmhouse – Crystal Lake Brewing, Illinois Imperial Stout/Porter Gold: Thick Thighs and Luscious Eyes – Hop District Community Brewing Co., Illinois Belgian and French Ale Silver: If You Want Blond... – BBGB Brewery and Hop Farm, Illinois Belgian Tripel Gold: Bel Ringer – 9th Hour Brewing Company, Illinois Italian Pilsener Silver: Antonio – Brother Chimp Brewing, Illinois Mexican Lager/Pilsener Gold: San Carlos Especial – Riverlands Brewing Company, Illinois Bronze: El OVNI – Brothership Brewing, Illinois Chili Pepper Beer Gold: Barrel Aged Hell Bear – Werk Force Brewing Co., Illinois Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Silver: 3-Year Barrel Aged Family Reserve Sleepy Bear – Werk Force Brewing, Illinois Barrel-Aged Strong/Porter Extreme (12.5%+) Silver: Sir Blends A-Lot #5 – Mikerphone Brewing, Illinois Barrel-Aged Quad/Belgian Dark Ale Silver: Muese Valley – More Brewing Company, Illinois Kentucky Common Gold: Steam Engine – Adams Street Brewery, Illinois Grodziskie Silver: Grodziskie – Goldfinger Brewing Company, Illinois Source: https://secretchicago.com/award-winning-beers-from-illinois-2025/