This Week's Beer News: An Emmett's Exits.
But there's good news this week, too
Exit, an Emmett’s. Enter, a Narrow Gate?
A bitter couple of weeks in the Western Suburbs (and not in the West Coast IPA kind of way) as Elmhurst Brewing Company draws to a close in the next few days, and now we learn that after 20 years in business, the Emmett’s Brewing Company in Downers Grove has also closed up shop as well.
While the closure came as a surprise to locals, per that Shaw Local story, it sounds like the owners did the best they could to take care of their workers and their community, even if it meant defying the ceaseless demands of capitalism by keeping the location open long after it ceased to be profitable in a post-COVID world. From their Facebook announcement:
“We also want to gently share a truth that’s rarely visible from the outside. For years, especially since COVID, we’ve carried this location not for profit, but for people. Payroll was met, vendors were paid, taxes submitted, rent honored–even when it meant sacrificing personally. Our priority has always been to take care of others first, even when it left us completely drained. This decision wasn’t about greed, it was about finally accepting that love and effort alone couldn’t save a business that needed more than we had left to give.”
Thoughtful, heartfelt personal goodbyes from brewery ownership are increasingly rare, and while I’ve rarely darkened the door of any Emmett’s location, I’d be strongly considering adding some more support to their remaining two locations in West Dundee and Palatine.
On the other hand, the Daily Herald reported last week that the former Bosacki’s Brewery may have found a new owner. Narrow Gate Brewery is being pitched for the space which recently shuttered just a few weeks ago. For a community that recently lost Tonality Brewing as well, it’s nice to give y’all some good beer news for a change.
Our beer news roundup emails are the most widely-read and shared content we send each week, and have been free to read for over a decade. You can support our work by subscribing for about $1 per week, but if you aren’t comfortable making a monthly committment or giving a cut to Substack, you can slide us a tip across the digital bar at Ko-Fi. No matter how you choose to support these emails, your help is very much appreciated.
As we mentioned on Friday, Moor’s Brewing Co. was named the 2025 Samuel Adams’ Brewing & Business Experienceship winner. It’s worth noting that over the past three years, one of the biggest beer companies in America has stepped up to support three Black-owned beermakers in a row (Crowns & Hops last year, and Funkytown the year prior). Pretty rad.
Shaw Local also reported on the STC Six collaboration beer, and this is a great place to mention that there are actually just five breweries in the STC Six, as D and G Brewing closed earlier this year. Who’s going to step up and open a new St. Charles brewery?
WGN-TV is the latest media outlet to stop by and check out Burning Bush Brewery.
Has Fox Valley Magazine always had a Beers of the Month column and it just never crossed my desk, or is this a new addition? Either way, they’re recommending some tasty-sounding summer beers from Noon Whistle, Penrose, Riverlands and others.
Terra Ferment, a local-beer-focused bar in downtown Springfield, closed at the end of May.
The Illinois Times has a story about the return of Reisch, a beer originally brewed starting back in 1949, discontinued in the mid-60s and revived by a descendent of the original Franz Reisch.
WISH-TV reports on the new “Wicked”-themed beers from Sun King.
Fox 17 gave a little more press to the newly opened Leigh’s Brewing Company, whose owners (sisters, both with the middle name of Leigh) intend to keep the community atmosphere intact.
This summer is going to be filled with stories about Yuengling coming to Michigan but this is the last we’ll mention it until it actually happens.
Per the St. Cloud Times, Beaver Island Brewing celebrates their 10th anniversary next month.
STL’s Wellspent Brewing announced plans to close at the end of June after seven years in business. More here.
Kansas City’s got a new riverfront beer garden called Two Birds One Stone.
Cleveland.com reported on the return of Allagash to Ohio for the first time in two decades.
Axios checks out the new Black Frog Brewery in Cleveland.
Market Garden Brewery is hosting the third Crush Em For Cancer on Thursday, June 26, this time in its new Irishtown Bend Taproom.
As MolsonCoors celebrates 50 years of Miller Lite, WTMJ talks to archivist Dan Scholzen who has the cool job of overseeing the Miller Brewing Archive.
The Brewers Association announced seven new beer styles for judging at this year’s GABF. Time to find out who’s got the nation’s best Czech style dark lager.
Two good stories from Vinepair last week, noting that the old Newcastle is finally back in the states (that crap US-only recipe from Lagunitas is gone!) and checking in on what’s going on with Anchor Brewing’s billionaire owner.
Speaking of new owners, Ska Brewing was just sold to two new owners who want you to know that Coors Brewing didn’t buy Ska.
Last week’s most-clicked link: The announcement of Maplewood’s new kitchen being open.
In addition to this Monday beer news roundup, we also provide a deep dive into the week’s TTB-approved beverage labels on Wednesdays (for Premium Subscribers only) and an events listing on Fridays (Premium Subscribers also receive a roundup of social news shared by beermakers).
Is that too much beer news? Probably! But please subscribe anyways:
However you managed to find us, thank you so much for being here.