June Beer Club: Iowa

Posted on May 30, 2025 by mcginnessalex

Penrose Brewing Company
Lemon Seltz-Up
Hard Seltzer
Geneva, Illinois

The Penrose team created this award winning unique twist on a lemon shake-up with a house-made hard seltzer and pureed lemons for a throwback to warm weather and county fairs.

ABV: 6% alcohol / volume
IBU: N/A
Style: Hard Seltzer
BeerStyles: Hard Seltzer
Awards: 2023 BTI Gold Medal | 2023 & 2024 US Open Hard Seltzer Championship Gold Medal

Penrose Brewing Company
Goofy Boots
Hazy IPA
Geneva, Illinois

A circus full of intense hop flavors fill this two time GABF® medal winning Juicy Hazy IPA. Notes of candied lime, ripe peach, and dried mango swing from your palate, landing on a pillowy wheat finish.

ABV: 7% alcohol / volume
IBU: 10
Style: IPA – New England/Hazy
BeerStyles: Hoppy & Bitter
Awards: 2020 GABF Gold Medal Winner – Juicy/Hazy Strong Pale Ale Category | 2019 GABF Bronze Medal Winner – Juicy/Hazy Strong Pale Ale Category

About Penrose Brewing Company:
Penrose Brewing Company is a small, locally owned Brewery and Taproom that specializes in small batch brewing, fresh hoppy flavors and wild / sour fermentations. They love to experiment with new styles and feature a rotating selection of great beers. Learn more about the brewery here or follow them on Untappd.

Empyrean Brewing Company
Solar Flare Summer Lager
Lincoln, Nebraska

A stellar refreshment, if you will. Perfect for grilling season, long summer nights and chasing the last rays of daylight. This golden lager features something old and something new; German heirloom barley paired with modern German hops for a smooth, slightly sweet and crisp flavor.

ABV: 4.8% alcohol / volume
IBU: 18
Style: Lager – American
BeerStyles: Crisp & Clean

Empyrean Brewing Company
Golden Cypher Hazy IPA
Lincoln, Nebraska

Hidden in the golden haze, a cypher unfolds. Juicy apricot and citrus notes emerge from Mosaic, Citra, and Nebraska-grown Vista hops. Smooth and sweet, with a subtle trace of bitterness. Pairs well with fried chicken, chips, crisp potato salad, tacos, burgers with BBQ sauce, fresh fruit, grilled meat, Mexican dishes and Indian curries.

ABV: 6% alcohol / volume
IBU: 15
Style: IPA – New England/Hazy
BeerStyles: Hoppy & Bitter

Empyrean Brewing Company
Zookeeper Lemon Kolsch
Lincoln, Nebraska

Pucker up and embrace your wild side with this refreshing Kolsch-style ale fermented with lemon puree. Crafted with lemondrop hops. Portions of the proceeds benefit the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Squeeze the day.

ABV: 5% alcohol / volume
IBU: 22
Style: Kölsch
BeerStyles: Crisp & Clean

Empyrean Brewing Company
Pitched Blue Black and Blueberry Ale
Lincoln, Nebraska

Navigate the cosmos and awaken your senses to fresh blueberry and biscuit malts with subtle, stimulating dark notes. Made with Galena hops.

ABV: 5.5% alcohol / volume
IBU: 24
Style: Dark Ale
BeerStyles: Malty & Sweet

Empyrean Brewing Company
Fallen Angel Sweet Stout
Lincoln, Nebraska

Smooth and creamy, an English version of stout brewed with milk sugar. Best enjoyed with savory pork dishes, slow-grilled meats, bold cheeses and smoked game.

ABV: 5.6% alcohol / volume
IBU: 22
Style: Stout – Milk / Sweet
BeerStyles: Malty & Sweet

ABOUT EMPYREAN BREWING CO.:
Empyrean Brewing Co., established in 1990, is a Nebraska-based craft brewery with a rich history of crafting high-quality, innovative beers. With a commitment to community and creativity, they offer a diverse range of flavors, constantly pushing the boundaries of brewing. Their passion for exceptional beer and dedication to their local roots define their identity as a pioneering and dynamic brewery. Learn more about the their story here, and follow them on Untappd.

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April Beer Club: Iowa

Posted on March 31, 2025 by mcginnessalex

Mikerphone Brewing When You Say Wisconsin…
Berliner Weisse
Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Wisconsin Kringle-Inspired Berliner Weisse with cherries, cranberries, Bavarian cream, and cream cheese flavoring.

ABV: 6% alcohol / volume
IBU: N/A
Style: Sour – Fruited Berliner Weisse
BeerStyles: Sour, Tart and Funky

Mikerphone Brewing
Gigi’s Playhouse Tri 21 Project
Pilsner
Elk Grove Village, Illinois

West Coast-Style Pilsner.

ABV: 5.3% alcohol / volume
IBU: N/A
Style: Pilsner
BeerStyles: Crisp and Clean

Mikerphone Brewing
Thirsty
DDIPA
Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Double Dry-Hopped Double IPA with nelson sauvin, mosaic, and citra hops.

ABV: 8% alcohol / volume
IBU: N/A
Style: IPA – Imperial / Double New England / Hazy
BeerStyles: Hoppy and Bitter

Mikerphone Brewing
Wring It Out
DDIPA West Coast Style
Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Double dry-hopped west coast-style Double IPA with mosaic, mosaic cryo, mosaic incognito, Idaho 7 & nectaron hops.

ABV: 8.5% alcohol / volume
IBU: N/A
Style: IPA – American
BeerStyles: Hoppy and Bitter

About Mikerphone Brewing:
Mikerphone Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Founded by Mike and Lisa Pallen, the brewery began as a passion project inspired by music. In 2015, Mikerphone Brewing released its first commercial beer and was awarded Best New Brewery in Illinois by RateBeer, as well as One of the Best New Breweries in the World by Beer Advocate Magazine.

Learn more about the brewery here or follow them on Untappd.

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June Beer Club: Iowa

Posted on May 31, 2024 by mcginnessalex

Hubbard’s Cave
Milk of the Murder Hornet
Blueberry
Milkshake IPA
Niles, Illinois

Hubbard’s Cave has artfully crafted this brew with Mosaic hops, bursting with berry flavors, real blueberries, smooth vanilla, and creamy lactose. When pouring, it reveals a rich, hazy purple hue, topped with a dense, creamy head. The nose is an aromatic bouquet of freshly picked blackberries with subtle hints of citrus and floral notes from the hops. Overall, this Imperial Pale Ale showcases the creativity of the craft experts at Hubbard’s Cave.

ABV: 8.5% alcohol / volume
IBU: N/A
Style: IPA – Imperial/Double Milkshake
Beer Style: Hoppy & Bitter

Hubbard’s Cave
Milk of the Murder Hornet
Orange
Milkshake IPA
Niles, Illinois

This Milkshake Imperial Pale Ale with lactose vanilla and orange is a treat for those who love orange creamsicles! It pours hazy with lemony, orange-yellow tones. The aroma is reminiscent of an orange creamsicle, with prominent sugary notes and hints of lemon. The flavor follows suit, blending sweet orange cream with sweetness that finishes with a medium bitterness. It has a creamy, smooth, medium body. Overall, this beer is much like a slightly bitter creamsicle.

ABV: 8.5% alcohol / volume
IBU: N/A
Style: IPA – Imperial/Double Milkshake
Beer Style: Hoppy & Bitter

Une Année Brewery
Pêche
American Wild Ale
Niles, Illinois

This American Wild Ale with peaches pours an opaque yellow-gold with no head. The aroma blends notes of sweet peaches with creamy vanilla, tart lemon and a hint of pepper. The taste is funky, featuring tart peach and lemon with malt and vanilla. Sharp oak, white pepper, tart peach and light bitter notes emerge on the finish. Medium-bodied with mild carbonation, it has a refreshing and tart mouthfeel. Overall, it’s clean, nicely sour and very enjoyable.

ABV: 6.5% alcohol / volume
IBU: N/A
Style: Wild Ale – American
Beer Style: Sour, Tart, and Funky

Une Année Brewery
No Regrets
American Wile Ale
Niles, Illinois

American Wild Ale is fermented with limes and dry-hopped with Mosaic hops. The aroma is intensely sour and filled with citrus notes, dominated by lime, with hints of yeast and orange sherbet. The taste is very tart, similar to a sour beer. On the palate, lime is the predominant flavor, complemented by notes of orange sherbet and grape. There are subtle oak undertones with a touch of yeast and a hint of salt that appear on the finish. The mouthfeel is exceptionally smooth, slightly acidic, and dry on the finish. Overall, this is a delicious beer with a balanced tartness and sweetness that ebb and flow beautifully.

ABV: 5.5% alcohol / volume
IBU: N/A
Style: Wild Ale – American
Beer Style: Sour, Tart, and Funky

Photo by Hubbard’s Cave: Une Année and Hubbard’s Cave Brewery

ABOUT THE BREWERIES:

Une Année:
Une Année is an independent craft brewery, born in 2013 near the west side of Chicago, with the quest of making fine Belgian inspired ales for all beer lovers.

Founded by architect, former Marine, and Chicago native, Jerry Nelson, the brewery has since become a family operation when Jerry’s brother, Dave joined in. The name was inspired by Jerry’s architecture abroad program in Versailles, France. Une Année, meaning “One Year” in French, began with a seasonal rotation of annual Belgian beers, which have since become weekly and bi-weekly releases.

Une Année has expanded its offerings over the years with an emphasis on fruited and unfruited American Wild Ales (read: Sour Beers) and Barrel Aged Stouts. In 2017, the brewery moved to a neighboring Chicago suburb, Niles, IL, and expanded to include a taproom. The new brewery allows everyone to get home more frequently for quality time with the kids. Learn more here, and follow them on Untappd.

Hubbard’s Cave:
In 2015, Hubbard’s Cave was developed as an alternative to Une Année’s Belgian style ales. Producing American style ales, primarily imperial stouts and Hubbard’s Cave signature Fresh IPAs, Hubbard’s Cave is a refreshing addition to the Une Année family. Named after the Chicago Hubbard Street traffic tunnel on Interstate 90/94, next to where the brewery was born, Hubbard’s Cave has quickly grown to produce some of their most popular offerings. Learn more here, and follow them on Untappd.

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July Beer Club: Iowa

Posted on June 29, 2023 by mcginnessalex

Mikerphone Brewing
Check 1, 2
Double IPA
Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Double Dry-Hopped Double IPA with Citra hops.

ABV: 8% alcohol / volume
Style: IPA – Imperial / Double
Beer Style at WineStyles: Hoppy

ABOUT MIKERPHONE BREWING:
Mikerphone Brewing is a family-owned small craft brewery located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Founded by a passion for home-brewing, Mike and Lisa Pallen started the concept of the brewery inspired by music out of their basement. In 2015, Mikerphone Brewing brewed the release of it’s first commercial beer. In that same year, they were awarded Best New Brewery in Illinois by Ratebeer, as well as One of the Best New Breweries in the World by Beer Advocate Magazine. Learn more about the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd.

Phase Three Brewing
P3 Mexican Lager
Lager
Lake Zurich, Illinois

Light and refreshing, brewed with premium malts and topped up with a dash of Noble hop spice.

ABV: 5.5% alcohol / volume
Style: Lager – Mexican
Beer Style at WineStyles: Crisp & Clean

ABOUT PHASE THREE BREWING:
Phase Three Brewing is a brewery focusing on marrying hop flavors together – big imperial stouts and heavily fruited ales. Starting as a passion project between three friends – Brittany, Shaun and Evan – who all met when working with each other at a restaurant and brewery in Schaumburg, Illinois; (Brittany and Shaun ended up getting married and having two kids). The trio strive to constantly provide beer that is hand-crafted with quality ingredients by honest people. Learn more about the three phases of the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd.

Hop Butcher For the World
Meet the Motuekas
IPA
Chicago, Illinois

Motueka-hopped India Pale Ale.

ABV: 6.5% alcohol / volume
Hops: Motueka
Style: IPA – New England / Hazy
Beer Style at WineStyles: Hoppy
Label Artwork: Dan Grzeca

ABOUT HOP BUTCHER BREWERY:
Inspired by Carl Sandburg’s poem “Chicago”, Carl refers to the great city as “Hog Butcher for the World”, and while the literal meaning has faded since the closing of the Union Stock Yards in 1971, it embodies and inspires who the Hop Butcher team is and the beers they brew in three meaningful ways. Learn more about the brewery and their inspiration here; and follow them on Untappd.

Pontoon Brewing
Otter Palm
Shandy
Sandy Springs, Georgia

Refreshing blend of beer, black tea, and lemonade, this cocktail inspired beer is a refreshing addition to the golf course, lawn mowing, or just sitting in a comfy chair in the A/C.

ABV: 4.5% alcohol / volume
Style: Shandy / Radler
Beer Style at WineStyles: Fruity & Spicy

ABOUT PONTOON BREWING:
Pontoon Brewing was founded by a group of longtime pals and home brewers who were passionate about developing scrumptious beer for the pontoon lifestyle – an idea of escaping the daily stresses and relaxing on a pontoon boat – “a slow moving party platform; it can’t go far and can’t go fast so might as well drink”. Opening their doors in December 2017, they became the first microbrewery in Sandy Springs. Learn more about the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd.

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November Beer Club: Iowa

Posted on October 30, 2022 by mcginnessalex

Untitled Art
Red Velvet Cake Stout
Waunakee, Wisconsin

Pastry stout made with cocoa nibs, coconut, beet juice for color, natural and artificial flavors.

ABV: 11.7% alcohol / volume
Style: Imperial Stout / Double Pastry
Beer Style at WineStyles: Dark and Roasty

Untitled Art
Collaboration with Great Notion
Mochi Mango Cream Sour
Waunakee, Wisconsin

Gluten free sour with passionfruit, mango and vanilla soft serve.

ABV: 6% alcohol / volume
Style: Gluten Free Sour
Beer Style at WineStyles: Sour, Tart & Funky

ABOUT UNTITLED ART:
Untitled Art collaborates with different artists, friends, and breweries all around the world to produce drink concepts and styles that showcase their diverse work. From Sparkling Water to Craft Beer, every can or bottle is wrapped in artwork specifically made for that drink to create something you will love. Check them out on Untappd, or learn more about their company here.

RAR Brewing
Reaper Imperial Double IPA
Cambridge, Maryland

Imperial Double Indian Pale Ale with Amarillo and Azacca hops.

ABV: 8.3% alcohol / volume
Style: Double IPA
Beer Style at WineStyles: Hoppy and Bitter

ABOUT THE RAR BREWING:
Located on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, RAR Brewing was founded in 2013 by a couple of local boys brewing local beers. The team built their brewery in an 80-year-old former pool hall and bowling alley producing 10 barrels of brews at a time all while maintaining the history of the building. Check them out on Untappd, or learn more about their company here.

Lil Beaver Brewing
Punkin π Imperial Ale
Bloomington, Illinois

Who doesn’t love Pumpkin Pie? Well, most people that do, do enjoy it with whipped cream, which is the flavor experience Lil Beaver Brewing attempted to create with this brew. Only available once a year, don’t miss it!

ABV: 8.9% alcohol / volume
Style: Imperial Ale
Beer Style at WineStyles: Malty and Sweet

ABOUT THE LIL BEAVER BREWING:
Years ago there was a young, eager Lil Beaver who enjoyed beer, but grew tired of the commercial offerings in his neck of the woods. After awhile, Chad Bevers (aka the Lil Beaver), decided it was time to hone in on his own beer making skills and start his own craft brewery – which opened in 2017. Check them out on Untappd, or learn more about their company here.

Follow WineStyles on Untappd

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LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BEER CLUB >

April Beer Club: Iowa

Posted on March 30, 2022 by mcginnessalex

NoCoast Beer Co.
Barrel Aged Smokey Row Coast
Coffee Porter
Oskaloosa, Iowa

Made in collaboration with one of NoCoast’s favorite coffee shops, Smokey Row. This deep, robust, rye porter is brewed at NoCoast and diligently aged in Wild Turkey whiskey barrels for 11 months. It is then steeped with Smokey Row’s Tanzania peaberry coffee to impart aromas of rich oak, chocolate, coffee and whiskey. There are additional notes of spicy rye with a slight fruitiness, and a subtle acidity.

BeerStyles: Dark & Roasty
Style: Coffee Porter
ABV: 7.7% alcohol / volume

ABOUT NOCOAST BEER CO.:
Rooted in Midwest pride, NoCoast Beer Co. lives off the motto, “Friends over trends, land over sand, and beer over everything!”. In 2016, Head Brewer, Chuck Crabtree put together a crew of like-minded, passionate, beer enthusiasts and raised their glasses to the official launch of the brewery. Today, the NoCoast facility houses brewing, cold brewed coffee, and mobile canning operations. Learn more about the team behind the beers here, and follow them on Untappd.

Lil Beaver Brewery
California Beavin’
IPA
Bloomington, Illinois

West Coast Style India Pale Ale.

BeerStyles: Hoppy & Bitter
Style: IPA – American
ABV: 7% alcohol / volume

ABOUT LIL BEAVER BREWERY:
Years ago there was a young, eager Lil Beaver who enjoyed beer, but grew tired of the commercial offerings in his neck of the woods. After awhile, Chad Bevers (aka the Lil Beaver), decided it was time to hone in on his own beer making skills and start his own craft brewery – which opened in 2017. Learn more about the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd.

WeldWerks Brewing Co.
JuicyFish
Double IPA
Greeley, Colorado

This Hazy Double IPA is made in collaboration with Pinthouse in Austin, Texas. It is made as a mashup of WeldWerks’ Juicy Bits and Pinthouse’s flagship hazy IPA, Electric Jellyfish. It is brewed with Citra, Lotus, and Azacca Hops for huge bursts of papaya, guava, pineapple, grapefruit and apricot, all supported by a silky-smooth mouthfeel.

BeerStyles: Hoppy & Bitter
Style: Hazy Double IPA
ABV: 8.6% alcohol / volume

ABOUT WELDWERKS BREWING CO.:
Like many other great businesses do, WeldWerks started as a hobby in a garage. In 2009, Co-founder and head brewer, Neil Fisher, began home-brewing with his friends. Once a month, everyone would get together to brew, learn and enjoy each other’s company. By 2014, Neil had entered into the Big Beers, Belgians and Barley wines festival. Prior to this competition, friend, and no-CEO and co-founder, Colin Jones, made an agreement with Neil, promising to consider opening a brewery if Neil were to bring back a medal. Eleven months and two medals later, the first beers were poured at WeldWerks Brewing. Today, all of WeldWerks beers are produced in their downtown Greeley location on their 15 bbl 3-vessel steam brewhouse. They have produced 300+ unique beers in just four years across a nearly infinite range of styles. Learn more about the brewery here, and follow them on Untappd.

MORE Brewing Company
Huntley Helles
Lager
Villa Park & Huntley, Illinois

Named to honor the home of their Huntley facility, this German-style lager is brewed with soft water, along with a variety of German malts and hops. The beer is then lagered in their horizontal tank, giving the beer a soft mouthfeel with a pleasant malt profile and hints of noble hops.

BeerStyles: Crisp & Clean
Style: Lager
ABV: 4.5% alcohol / volume

ABOUT MORE BREWING CO.:
Named after their town in Villa Park (previous known as Ardmore), MORE Brewing Company is a craft brewing with locations in Villa Park & Huntley, Illinois. They specialize in hop-saturated ales, flavorful imperial stouts, and a variety of unique lagers. Learn more about the their locations here, and follow them on Untappd.

Follow WineStyles on Untappd

Don’t forget to follow your local WineStyles on the Untappd app and tag us when enjoying your Brew!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BEER CLUB >

September Beer Club: Iowa

Posted on August 31, 2020 by mcginnessalex

Une Année
Tripel
Niles, Illinois

The Tripel is often considered the most approachable of Belgian Ales. Having an exuberant flaxen hue, with a medium body, big fruit flavors, moderate spice and hints of American hops poking through.

BeerStyles: Fruity & Spicy
Style: Tripel
ABV: 8.7% alcohol / volume

Une Année
Le Seul XXVI
Niles, Illinois

This is an American Wild Ale with Boysenberries. Violet light pour, with light white lacing around the rim. Very light aroma. Slightly tart with a dry finish. The juicy berries are nicely balanced, but not too sweet. Lightly carbonated mouthfeel with a clean crisp finish.

BeerStyles: Sour
Style: Wild Ale
ABV: 6.5% alcohol / volume

Hubbard’s Cave
Chocolate & Blackberry Pot De Crème
Niles, Illinois

This Imperial Stout pours dark brown, almost black in color. The nose and taste are similar – malty, with flavors of sweet blackberries and smooth, dark chocolate. Showcasing a rich and full bodied mouthfeel.

BeerStyles: Dark
Style: American Imperial Stout
ABV: 12% alcohol / volume

ABOUT THE BREWERY:

UNE ANNÉE

An Independent Craft Brewery, born in 2013 near west side of Chicago, with the quest of making fine Belgian inspired ales for all beer lovers.

Une Année has expanded its offerings over the years with an emphasis on fruited and unfruited American Wild Ales (read: Sour Beers) and Barrel Aged Stouts. In 2017, the brewery moved to neighboring Chicago suburb, Niles, IL, and expanded to include a taproom. The new brewery allows everyone to get home more frequently for quality time with the kids.

Photo by Hubbard’s Cave: Une Année and Hubbard’s Cave Brewery

HUBBARD’S CAVE

In 2015, Hubbard’s Cave was developed as an alternative to Une Année’s Belgian Style Ales. Producing American Style ales, primarily imperial stouts and Hubbard’s Cave signature Fresh IIPAs, Hubbard’s Cave is a refreshing addition to the Une Année Family. Named after the Chicago Hubbard Street traffic tunnel on Interstate 90/94, next to where the brewery was born, Hubbard’s Cave has quickly grown to produce some of their most popular offerings.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BEER CLUB >

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Tag Archives: Illinois

June Beer Club: Iowa

Penrose Brewing Company
Lemon Seltz-Up
Hard Seltzer
Geneva, Illinois

Penrose Brewing Company
Goofy Boots
Hazy IPA
Geneva, Illinois

Empyrean Brewing Company
Solar Flare Summer Lager
Lincoln, Nebraska

Empyrean Brewing Company
Golden Cypher Hazy IPA
Lincoln, Nebraska

Empyrean Brewing Company
Zookeeper Lemon Kolsch
Lincoln, Nebraska

Empyrean Brewing Company
Pitched Blue Black and Blueberry Ale
Lincoln, Nebraska

Empyrean Brewing Company
Fallen Angel Sweet Stout
Lincoln, Nebraska

April Beer Club: Iowa

Mikerphone Brewing When You Say Wisconsin…
Berliner Weisse
Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Mikerphone Brewing
Gigi’s Playhouse Tri 21 Project
Pilsner
Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Mikerphone Brewing
Thirsty
DDIPA
Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Mikerphone Brewing
Wring It Out
DDIPA West Coast Style
Elk Grove Village, Illinois