Humans have been fascinated with beer since the first beer was produced and created a bubbly aroma. In 1920, prohibition officially began, making the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of alcohol illegal. In 1933, the ban was lifted allowing breweries to start operating again. President Jimmy Carter reopened America’s beer market to small shop beer makers in 1979, and the resulting craft brewery boom saw America become home to 2,416 breweries, 2,360 of which were considered “craft breweries”. Today we celebrate International Beer Day, and what better excuse to celebrate having your beer of choice served up cold and frothy in your favorite glass? Well, we have a list of places to check out and enjoy the day.

Hopskeller Brewing Company - Waterloo

This brewery story starts with Matt Schweizer and a home brewing show in Waterloo Illinois. While the brewing company started as a flight of fancy, the dream of owning and operating a brewery became closer when the annual Taste of the Region festival in 2014 in Monroe County had people asking where they could get Matt beer. A few hours later, with the help of a group of business and civic leaders, business plans began to open a brewery. Then Matt and his partners began to attract community members who wanted to help make the project of getting Hopskeller off the ground and soon became a major staple in the downtown Waterloo area! So, this international beer day, come down to Waterloo and enjoy a variety of beer selections from Autumn Harvest Ale, Moco Mocha Coffee Chocolate Milk Stout, Market Cross London Lager, and much more.

White Rooster - Sparta

Inspired by Belgian farmhouse breweries, White Rooster takes an experimental and authentic approach to brewing with a variety of grains, hops, fruit, and other adjuncts and yeast combinations, along with their water purification and mineral consistency process, help White Rooster create beers that reflect the time and period of their origins. From traditional farmhouse styles to modern craft beers and small batches of beers on draft.

St. Nicholas Brewing Company - Du Quoin

Originally a hotel that unfortunately closed in 2005 and was at risk of being demolished. Fortunately, the building was identified as a historic site and saved from being torn down. Then, in 2009, the renovations began to move forward, and the St. Nicholas Brewing Company was in progress. The Brewing Company opened its doors in August of 2014 as a microbrewery and restaurant. All beer is brewed in-house and can pair your beer with anything on their menu.

Lot 50 - Paris  

December 30, 2017, Lot 50 Brewery and Taproom opened in Paris, Illinois by Steve Coombes, Dough Smittkamp, and their wives make and sell all their beer on-site. The goal of a brewery is to have something everyone tastes. Lot 50's beer list has a variety of beers, such as German Wheat beer with a nice lemon finish, their take on a New England IPA, and much more to discover this International Beer Day.

Gatter Brewing Company - Palestine

Located in the heart of historic Downtown Palestine, Gatter Brewing Co.’s charming brewpub offers visitors a warm welcome any time they walk through their doors. With a wide selection of rotating small-batch beers on tap, any beer lover is sure to be in heaven. If you find yourself traveling the eastern reaches of the Downstate region this International Beer Day, be sure to stop in to Gatter and grab a pint!