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.
As 2020 wraps up, we here at the Ale Trail are going to wind things down for a bit and take some rest and relaxation. This page will be updated occasionally throughout the rest of the year ... and I'll be back ready and recharged for 2021. (Assuming my one year old actually lets my wife and I get some sleep).
That being said, thank you for being a continued reader of the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail. Please go out and support your local breweries. if you can't drink outside, stop in for a four-pack to go. Everyone is working hard, and we want them to still be able to come out of the other side of the pandemic.
To Jordan, Nate, and the team at Blue Nose Brewery, you guys had a hell of a run. You can't see it, but I'm giving you all a standing ovation.
Coming in the new year --- The Golden Growlers, where we honor the best in 2020.
We had to change the format of this a bit, as it was appearing weird on mobile.
Wednesday, December 16
Alter Brewing Company
Heavy Squeeze
Wednesday, December 16
MyGrain Brewing Company
Strawberry Lupulin City
Wednesday, December 16
Mad Hatchet Brewing
Jacob's Ladder
Wednesday, December 16
Miskatonic Brewing Company
Belgian Strong Golden
Wednesday, December 16
Skeleton Key Brewing
Blow Up The Moon, Friends Don't Lie, One Stitch, Paintball Fight
Thursday, December 17
Black Horizon Brewing Company
Midnight Fist Fight
Thursday, December 17
Ike & Oak Brewing Company
Woollysicle
Thursday, December 17
Whiskey Hill Brewing Company
Put a Light On
Friday, December 18
A Surreal Expanse
Surreal Expanse is the newest release from Black Horizon Brewing Company. It's a sour ale with passion fruit, orange, and guava. A surreal taste for sure - the tast passion fruit and guava form the perfect partners for the orange citrus.
Nik & Ivy's Beer and Cupcakes
Nik & Ivy Brewing Co has their dessert stout ready for the drinking. $20 for a four pack of dessert stouts. Each four pack has four differenet flavors, Creme Brulee, Tiramisu, Mint Chocolate Chip and Rocky Road. Four an additional $10, you can get a four pack of cupcakes, in those same flavors. Beer and Cupcakes - a can't miss combination.
Saturday, December 19
SUPER FUN TIME at Pollyanna Brewing Company
On Saturday, December 18, all three Pollyanna locations are having SUPER FUN TIME WINTER PARTY DECEMBER EDITION. Heaters, fire pits, music, food, fun, fun, fun, and two new beers. Did I mention fun?
Check Out My SoundCloud - 7.7% ABV Hazy Double IPA with over 7lbs/bbl of Citra, Mosaic, Sabro, Idaho 7, and Ekuanot hops.
Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Toasted Marshmallow Fun Size - 13.5% ABV Imperial Milk Stout aged in Willet Bourbon Barrels with Toasted Marshmallow, Peanut, Vanilla Bean, Cocoa Nib, & Sea Salt
Monday, December 21
It's BAAAAAACK
Frankenstein's Mosaic is back on tap. This yummy Hazy IPA is brewed with Mosaic and Vic Secret Hops.
A Pickle Beer
It's an annual beer from Metal Monkey, and one of the most unique. Rick is an Imperial Pickle Ale, a Gose with pickle juice and pickling spices. I can't give a true comment on this one, I'm not a pickle fan. But, if you like pickles, you'll want to give this one a try!
Tuesday, December 22
Jamba Time!
Get a little Woolly Jamba (or a lot of Woolly Jamba) at Ike & Oak Brewing. This returning brew has flavors of strawberry, banana, and vanilla with a fruity hop character. Hazy and full-bodied.
Wednesday, December 23
I Like My Chicken Fried
Get your hands on this Double India Pale Ale, Chicken Friend Punk. The beer was brewed with Mosaic and Citra hops, giving you a dank juice-y feel with very low bitterness. Super drinkable.
A New One from Elder
The Joliet-based Elder Brewing company has come out with a new sour, Elder Juice. A mild sour with juicy hop flavors. It's a limited release for Christmas, so get your orders in now!
You Were My Brown-Eyed Girl
Brown-Eyed Girl, the great Brown Ale from Garage Band Brewing, is now available in cans at Garage Band Brewing. The beer was brewed with cocoa nibs and vanilla beans.
You Can Get a Pair of Grown a Pear
Hickory Creek Brewing Company has put out its tasty Marzen-style brew Grow a Pear in cans. Think of this one as a Oktoberfest beer brewed with pears. Truly tasty, pick up a single or a four-pack.
A New Flapjack Beer
Berwyn-based Flapjack Brewery has released a new brew in time for Christmas, Macchione Italian Pils. Cans and crowlers available, get a pizza along with it!
Saturday, December 26
Today We'll Drink This, the Brunch Connection, The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Me ...
Yes, sometimes I channel The Muppets. The latest from Mad Hatchet Brewing is a collab with Connect Roasters in Bourbonnais. It's a Coffee Mocha Stout, which contains the Guatemala Tehuya coffee beans (dark roast) and Dominican Cacao Nibs & Vanilla.
Sunday, December 27
Nik & Ivy's Latest - PB & J without the J
The Lockport-based brewery released their latest porter variant today - their PB & J Porter without the J. Great beer to enjoy while watching some football.
Sunday, January 3
Blowing Up the Moon
Skeleton Key Brewery's newest beer is entitled Blow Up the Moon. It's a NEIPA featuring ripe, juicy passionfruit. It will make you wish for summer, despite the weather we currently have outside.
Monday, January 4
A Mexican Chocolate Stout to Start the Year
Bolas Al Muro is Will County Brewing Co's super-delicious Mexican Chocolate Stout. Weighing in at 7.5%, this stout is made with chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla bean, ancho, guajillo, and habanero chilis.
Hazelnut, Vanilla, and Coffee. Sounds like a great beer on its own, but listen to this ... Alter took those flavors and blended them into a bourbon barrel-aged barleywine. Barrel-Aged HVAC Barleywine Ale is coming soon!
More Woolly from Ike & Oak
Nathan from Ike & Oak is working on the latest Woolly - Woolly Cocoa! This one is a Chocolate Milkshake IPA. Can't wait!!!
Come and Knock on My Door, We've Been Waiting for Brew
Metal Monkey is working on a new batch of beer for their Shutdown Series of small batch brews. Pictured is Jack TriPA - a huge triple IPA featuring Cascade, Amarillo, and Trident hops, fermented with Omega Yeast's Lutra Kviek. Brew coming soon. Click here for my Jack Tripper reference (probably dating myself here).
Due to the COVID-19 virus, organizations may have different hours and services. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled. Please check with the organization/event prior to traveling to ensure hours/status.
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
FREE VISITORS GUIDE
