We’re thrilled to share some incredible news: Crafty Brewers: Tales Behind Craft Beer has been featured in the Fall 2025 issue of Illinois Brewing Magazine!

You can read the full feature Q&A with us right here on Illinois Brewing Magazine’s website.

(Or, of course, you can find a hard copy of the magazine the next time you visit your favorite Illinois brewery!)

Being recognized by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild’s official publication means a lot to us. This show started as a passion project — a way to tell the stories behind the beer, highlight the people who make it, and celebrate the creativity and hard work that define the Illinois craft beer scene.

Over the last couple of years, we’ve talked with more than 50 brewers from across the state. We’ve met people who have poured their hearts into every pint, shared laughs and lessons in taprooms large and small, and felt truly welcomed by the community. At Illinois Craft Brewers Guild events like  Beer Under Glass and FOBAB, we’re constantly running into brewers who tell us they’ve listened to the show — and that connection means more to us than any number on a chart ever could.

We’re so proud of what this podcast has become, and we’re even prouder to be part of such a passionate community. Crafty Brewers has always been about people: the brewers, the staff, the fans, and everyone who loves great beer. Every episode we record, every story we share, is fueled by that shared love for local brewing.

But as we all know, it’s been a tough time for breweries. Many are fighting to stay open and keep doing what they love. That’s why we’ll keep pushing the message we believe in most: support your local breweries.

Buy local. Visit your neighborhood taproom. Tell a friend about a great beer you discovered nearby. Because if we lose our breweries, we lose a big part of our culture and a huge part of what makes our communities special (not to mention some extremely tasty beer!).

From the bottom of our hearts: thank you for listening (or watching!), supporting, and being part of this journey with us. Whether you’ve been with us since the first pour or just discovered Crafty Brewers, we couldn’t do this without you.

Here’s to more stories, more connections, and more incredible craft beer. Cheers! 🍻