Local Breweries Compete For 'Official Beer' Title

EVANSTON, IL — What better gift to bring to a 200th birthday party than a craft beer? As Illinois begins to ramp up its bicentennial celebrations (a 100-day countdown to its opening starts Aug. 26), one of the first big events being sponsored by the Governor's Office of the Illinois Bicentennial is taking place at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield through Sunday. Seven Chicago-area breweries are among the 19 statewide who have accepted an invitation to enter the competition to become the Official Bicentennial Craft Beer.

Evanston's Sketchbook Brewing Company is participating in the competition and has entered a New England IPA called Insufficient Clearance as its candidate for official beer of the state's big anniversary.

"It’s an honor to represent Evanston down-state this weekend. It would be a blast to create a Bicentennial Brew," said Sketchbook Co-Founder and Head Brewer Cesar Marron. "I’m hoping some of our fans across the state will take the time to visit the Beer Tent and cast their vote for Evanston’s own Community-Supported Brewery."

Insufficient Clearance—was honored as the 19th best IPA in the country by the prestigious Draft Magazine. It's named after an old sign that warned taxicab drivers in its location, which was formerly a taxi parking garage. Brewed with Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe, Insufficient Clearance packs in a massive tropical flavor and combines it with a soft pastry dough base and hit of wheatgrass for balance and a dry finish, according to Draft. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Evanston — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

“We are excited to have Illinois brewers from across the state represented in this competition,” said Bicentennial Office Director of Events Lisa Post, announcing the event. In addition to the governor's office, the competition has been sponsored by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild and the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois to show off "Illinois Made" products and the state's robust craft beer industry and “Illinois Made” products, Illinoisans will be able to celebrate the 200th birthday of the state with an Official Bicentennial Craft Beer.

The winner will be determined by a vote of state fair attendees who sample the offerings, as well as a panel of craft beer experts, according to a news release announcing the competition. The winning brewery will then brew a limited-edition commemorative beer to be distributed throughout 2018's bicentennial celebration.

The Bicentennial Craft Beer Tent is open Friday and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday until 5 p.m. inside Gate 1 in the Happy Hollow area.

Here's the complete list of all brewers participating in the Illinois Bicentennial Craft Beer:

• 718 Brew Café, Metropolis
• Aleman Brewing Company, Chicago
• Bent River Brewing Company, Rock Island
• Blue Nose Brewery, Hodgkins
• Brickstone Restaurant & Brewery, Bourbonnais
• Church Street Brewing Company, Itasca
• DESTIHL Brewery, Normal
• Engrained Brewing Company, Springfield
• Excel Brewing Company, Breese
• Forge Brewhouse, Sycamore
• Hand of Fate Brewing Company, Petersburg
• Myths and Legends Brewing Co., Westmont
• Noon Whistle Brewing, Lombard
• Old Bakery Beer Company, Alton
• Peel Brewing Company, O’Fallon
• Pollyana Brewing Company, Lemont
• Rolling Meadows Farm Brewery, Cantrall
• Sketchbook Brewing Company, Evanston
• White Oak Brewing, Normal

Image via Governor’s Office of Illinois Bicentennial