A mid-1800’s architectural wonder helped make Chicago the city it is today. The 96-mile Illinois & Michigan Canal (I&M Canal) connected the Great Lakes in Bridgeport, Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, and amazingly unique towns sprung up that maintain their authentic charm to this date.
Freedom. The Open Road. The American Dream. All are still alive on The Mother Road. The nostalgia of diners, museums, tourist stops and neon lights are there for you to visit as you make the drive from Chicago to Santa Monica, CA. You can still get your Kicks on Route 66!
A visit to Starved Rock State Park consists of many sights to behold, including breathtaking views of its many canyons and awe-inspiring scenes of eagles flying during the winter month.
Are you looking for a specific type of place to visit in the I&M Canal Heritage Corridor? If you're a craft beer fan, you will love the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail? Seeing a thrilling journey or just an escape, check out Adventure Outside Chicago. We've got all the info to unlock your next trip right here.
Welcome to the new web page! The Heritage Corridor CVB released its new web site on Tuesday, September 8 - which combined its current site with some sub sites, like the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail. We hope you like it! Check out the page, and check out some of the other links to get an idea of traveling in the area and coming up with your next road trip.
We've combined a few weeks of beer releases for this update, due to being down as the new web site was being prepped. We're back, and next week, we'll be back to the weekly updates.
The doctor is in. Dr. Pangloss is a black IPA, making his rounds at Pollyanna Brewing Company. Named after the philosopher from Voltaire’s “Candide,” Dr Pangloss viewed most situations with unwarranted optimism. Sarcastic, erratic, and fantastical, this beer lives by the mantra that “all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds.” Not defined by a traditional style, Dr Pangloss is brewed with Mosaic and Simcoe hops and a balanced amount of roasted malts to pair with the intense citruses.
Welcome Goldfinger to the Ale Trail
We’ve got a brand new brewery to the Ale Trail! Say hello to Goldfinger Brewing Co. out of Downers Grove, IL. They have a new batch of their Original Lager – go out and give it a try! And, they’re now part of the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail Passport — grab a beer, check in, and work your way towards free prizes!
Google Snob
So, the beer on the left is Mad Hatchet’s Google Snob. It’s the Shorewood Brewery’s latest Berliner Weisse, fruited heavily with fresh mango to beat the heat. On the right is 7 Days, which is one of the beers featured in our last Beer Releases article.
Miskatonic's Dumas
Leftover in the tank after sending next year's Paramour release into freshly dumped Cab barrels, this single keg of fresh base beer was carbonated and conditioned naturally using neutral wine yeast. Notes of chocolate, deep bready-raisiny Belgian malt, and red fruit dominate.
Saturday, August 29
Skeleton Key's Latest
Are you ready for Hazelnut Praline Imperial Milk Stout? This one packs a wallop at 10.5% ABV, and brings some tasty and rich dark chocolate notes to the forefront.
Tuesday, September 1
Strawberry Delight
Alter Brewing's Rita Hayworth is a delightful strawberry blonde ale that's light and easy drinking. Just a kiss of strawberry sweetness.
Marley Marzen Oktoberfest Bier in New Lenox
It's fall beer season, and Hickory Creek's Oktoberfest Beer is ready for you! Lightly hopped with Tettnang and Hallertau hops, this light copper colored fall beer is smooth and malty with a hint of sweetness.
Black is Beautiful - Whiskey Hill Edition
The Westmont Brewery has released its Black is Beautiful beer, a Russian Imeprial Stout aged on roasted Hazelnut. Over 100 lbs. of hazelbut that is. They also upped the flaked oats and boiled for nine and a half hours to achieve significant carmelization and improved viscosity. 100% of the proceeds will go to support My Block, My Hood, My City.
A Double Drop from the Monkeys
Metal Monkey is releasing two beers today.
A collab with The Skull (a Chicago Doom Metal band), Til The Sun Turns Black is an American IPA with Lemon Zest and Jasmine Green Tea. Clocks in at 7.0 % ABV and 40 IBUs. It was brewed with Lemondrop and Columbus hops, lemon zest, and jasmine green tea.
Bikini Bottom Gose w/ Pineapple is back, a regular favorite from the Romeoville brewery. A sour German wheat beer with coriander and Himalayan salt, with added pineapple juice.
Thursday, September 3
The Story of Oktoberfarce
Oktoberfarce is Black Horizon Brewing Company's annual beer for season - brewed with 100% German malts, hops, and yeast. But, what the farce is up with the name?
Well, we use a Kolsch strain of yeast (ale) to ferment this beer warm as opposed to a lager strain to bring out awesome toasty, bread-y, biscuit and caramel notes with a crisp noble hop finish.
Getting Those Peach Vibes
This is part of an ongoing Berliner Weiss series from Tangled Roots. You know I love the puns, so I'm going to directly copy their post. (I'm standing and golf clapping for whoever wrote this...)
Do you like sour beer? Do you love peaches? Then you'll really aPEACHiate this one. Take a midnight train to Tangled Roots and have Georgia on your mind when you try this tart Berliner Weiss with peach puree. Truly a beer that won’t leave you feeling fuzzy around the edges. We're not peach-ing to the choir when we tell you how much you'll vibe with this beer.
POG Destroyer
What is POG juice? Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava. Thank you Metal Monkey for this beer, as well as putting what POG was in your description. (I didn't pick up on that... but that's my sleep-deprived life with a teething 8-month old at home.) Anyway, this beer is a tradition GOSE brewed with coriander seed and himalayan sea salt. They added the POG juice to it "to make your beer hole happy"!
Friday, September 4
A Super Collaboration
Miskatonic Brewing Company and Foreign Exchange Brewing hooked up for this might collboartion, inspired by the West Coast Avengers comic. It's a West Coast (get it?) double IPA brewed with Strata, Simcoe, and Idaho 7. Miskatonic says that it "will warm you up faster than the real Jim Hammond."
Spoiler Alert! A Great Hazy IPA is at Mad Hatchet
If you're interested in watching the movie the Sixth Sense, skip this intro. As you know, the team over at Mad Hatchet Brewing is big into the scary movies. This new IPA, Bruce Willis was Dead the Whole Time, is a tasty little Hazy IPA. Citra and Mosaic hops in this one.
I have no words on the statue sitting behind the beer.
A TON from Will County Brewing
Here we go:
Will County Brewing: Riding Double Shotgun Double Dry Hopped IPA with Mango (Collab with Urban Brew Labs)
Will County Brewing: Blueberry Faygo Sour Berliner with Blueberries, Vanilla, and Lavender (very limited)
Black Horizon Brewing Company: Common Visions Fruited Ale
Metal Monkey: Asmodeus Russian Imperial Stout
Metal Monkey: Bikini Bottom Pineapple Gose
Work Force Brewing: Double Dry Hopped Formerly Known As IPA
DANK You Very Much
Pollyanna Brewing and Solemn Oath Brewery are releasing "Full Moon Looks" on Friday. This ia a West Coast IPA with Lotus and Galaxy Hops. Lots of bright green hop character in this one!
MyGrain's Oktoberfest
The traditional beer of the longest running beer fest in the world, MyGrain's Oktoberfest is brewed in the German tradition with a rich body, malty flavor, and a clean, smooth finish.
Saturday, September 5
A Beer Worthy of the Name
Sublime: of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe. The name perfectly fits Garage Band Brewing's latest beer. Sublime is there Key Lime Gose beer that is made with equal parts Wheat and Pilsen malts, pink Himalayan sea salt, crushed coriander, and key lime. The brewery has the perfect suggestion with this beer as well - try it with margaria salt or Tajin around the rim for added flavor!
Also, Sublime is the name of the band that came out with the song "What I Got" from 1996. Not sure what's more memorable, the acoustic guitar opening or the hook to the song. Both get a thumbs up. (How is this song 24 years old?)
Back Alley Apple
The story behind the name? Quite simple. Gary from Hickory Creek Brewing has an apple tree behind the brewery. You can taste the freshness in the perfect summertime brew. Get yours today before that tree goes bare!
Wednesday, September 9
A Beer for Super Heroes
Unified Field Theory is now in cans and hitting distribution. For info on the beer itself, scroll up to September 4 for its original draft release.
The Code Word is "Rochambeau," Dig Me? You Have Your Orders, Now Go Man-Go
Channelling a little Hamilton on this description for "Go Man-Go," which is probably my favorite musical. Even including the YouTube link for the scene. And, if you're looking for a new favorite beer ... Go Man Go from Garage Band Brewing could be right up your alley. It's a refreshing Berliner Weisse with Lemon and Mango.
I hear the drinking song they're singing - The world turned upside down....
Cherries and Limes Combine at Flapjack Brewery
Prosthetic Cherry Mohawk Cherry Limeade Sour is now available at Flapjack Brewery. First reports via UnTappd are that this is a tasty beer that is the right amount of sour. Can't wait to try it!
Damn Right, It's Better Than Yours
Whiskey Hill has dropped "Boys to the Yard," a milkshake IPA. The beer is hopped with Motueka, Magnum, and with a touch of mango added. Expect flavors of bubblegum, lemon, sweet vanilla, and a touch of mango.
Thursday, September 10
Pro Re Nata
Auction winner Leo Lopez got to work with Tangled Roots to brew up Pro Re Nata, a take on the classic Belgian-style Tripel. This was brewed with yeast from Omega Labs to create a strong and dry beer with hints of banana, dried fruit, and subtile spices.
A Vienna Lager from Goldfinger
The Downers Grove brewery released this beauty, a coppor-colored Vienna Lager. It has a medium body with a unique depth of malt flavor because of their double decoction method of brewing. A sure winner!
This liquid gold is Pollyanna's Double Pineapple Lexical Gap. It's their flagship Double IPA with some crazy pineapple goodness. Lexi at it's finest!
Friday, September 11
Wet Hop Right Into Tangled Roots Brewing Company
If you've ever tried Devil's Paintbox IPA over at the Ottawa-based brewery, you're going to love Aqua Devil Wet Hopped IPA. They took Devil's Paintbox and wet hopped it with Centennial hops for this new take on one of their flagship beers.
Taste the Golden Coconut
Dustin over at Rt66 Old School Brewing has a tasty new one for us. Maverick's Wave is a golden ale with coconut undertones. Can't wait to try this one!
A Salute to the Patriot
The Patriot is a flagship offering from River Hawk Brewing in Channahon. Clean and simple, it has a pilsner base malt for the classic American-style lager.
Three from the Key
Woodridge's Skeleton Key Brewery has three dropping today. Two version of Flip Hop, each dry-hopped with a single hop strain. Today, they are releasing Amarillo (with notes of grapefruit and citrus) and El Dorado (with tropical and stone fruit notes). Look for more versions in the upcoming weeks. Nine-Tailed American Lager is also tapped as well, which is a crisp lager brewed in collaboration with The Foxtail in Downers Grove.
Saturday, September 12
Can't Wait Until Saturday!
I love Saturday Morning Cartoons! That's the day around this time of year that Will County Brewing releases their cereal-inspired creations. This year, you'll be able to get mixed 4-packs of:
Bamm Bamm Loves Pebbles - A fruited wheat ale that is one of WCBC's most-demanded beers.
The Shorewood-based Brewery is released it's Oktoberfest brew, Lederhosen Explosion. The beer weighs in at 5.7% ABV.
Sunday, September 13
The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be
The latest in Skeleton Key's "Finishing Move" American Porter Series honors Bret The Hitman Hart. The Sharpshooter is infused with cold brew coffee from Calgary Heritage Roasting Company - the Hitman's home town. Their bold and full-bodied coffee compliments their roasty porter to perfection.
Tuesday, September 15
Hop Butcher at Miskatonic
Tapping at Miskatonic Brewing Company's Taco Tuesday is Greener Moss. They say the moss is always green at Miskatonic. OK, I couldn't think of anything better. Sorry. But, Hop Butcher's stuff is amazing and definitely worth stopping into Miskatonic on Tuesday. Greener Moss is a Triple IPA with notes of citrus, pine, and stone fruit.
Wednesday, September 16
Alter's Second Dimension
A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Alter Brewing Company launched in Downers Grove, IL. One of their beers was Dimension dubbel. It became time for a Second Dimension, Belgian-style Ale. Spicy warming notes of caramel, dark fruit, cocoa, and winter spices. Just the right amount of sweetness on the finish.
Thursday, September 17
Metalmorphosis, Track 6
The album continues for Metal Monkey Brewing, releasing their 6th ediiton of Metalmorphosis. This NEIPA uses Nelson Sauvin and El Dorado hops, giving you tons of white wine, grape, pear, and watermelon flavors! 6% ABV.
A Gold Medalist Returns to Ike & Oak
Check out the color (and the taste) on Corbet's Couloir Doppelbock from Ike & Oak Brewing Company. It took home two competitive gold medals in 2019, and returns for the Oktoberfest season. It's a darker brew than Iketoberfest Marzen, full-bodied, sweet, and malty. Only available on draft.
Fresh Haze is In The Cards
Pollyanna's Hazy American Pale Ale known as In The Cards is back and ready for your gullet. Get your today in Lemont (and on Friday at Roselle at St. Charles).
Hawktober is Now on Tap
That Oktoberfest beer that should be flying into your belly is River Hawk's Hawktober, which is a Marzen Lager weighing in at 5.3% ABV. Get a glass today!
Tangled Roots, Down on the Farm
Tangled Roots released their Farm to Foam Farmhouse IPA, brewed with a Farmhouse yeast strain from Omega Yeast and local malt and hops from their own farm in Ottawa, IL.
A monster of a fruity and hoppy double IPA, please say hello to Chicken Fried Punk. This beer focuses more on the bright citrus and sweet sappy characteristics of West Coast hops. You'll get notes of tropical fruit, citrus, candied pine, and jammy hops. 10% ABV on this one ... get it while's its still around.
Elder's Kicking Out A New One
John Boat Haze is the latest from the Joliet-based Elder Brewing Company. It's a IPA that weights in a 7.4% ABV and 90 IBUs. Early reports that this one is full of hoppy flavor.
Hickory Creek Experimenting With Their Latest
Part of the fun of following craft beer is seeing the different experiements. And, Hickory Creek has a unique one ready for you all today. Gary has been plaing around with Jasmine rice. Jasmine X1 clocks in at 3.5% ABV, purposely made on the lighter side so you can get the full Jasmine experience. Let us know what you think!
My Old WIlmatucky Home
Rt66 has released an old favorite, Ole Wilmatucky American Lager. Get in on Friday, September 18 where you can pick up 3 crowlers of this light, crisp, and refreshing beer for $30. Only on the 18th!
It's that time of year to celebrate bier, and on September 19, you can get your hands on Bierwynsteiner. For $20 on the 19th, you can get a Bierwynsteiner with fill and glass stein. Make your indoor reservations here. Outdoor is first-come, first-served ... you get your pour in plastic (but a wrapped stein).
I am truly excited for this beer, which will be released during Pollyanna's Sixth Anniversary Celebration (sometime at the end of September). The candy-inspired "Nerd is the Word" will be loaded with strawberries and concord grapes after being kettle soured and given a light lactose addition).
A Giant Collaboration
Will County Brewing Company is teaming up with Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm in Minooka. This beer will be brewed with home baked Blue Moon Pumpkins directly from Heap's Farm. Expect this one on tap soon.
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