BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS

Small central city is home of Illinois State University and ILLINOIS BREWING COMPANY (located across from the coliseum until closing down in 2019). Ventured August ’06, old wood floors, high ceilings, and two billiard tables mark IBC’s rustic interior. Brew tanks are near front windowed rail of this crude sports bar (with televisions strewn about).

Tangy lemony grapefruit-pepped floral- hopped mildly-embittered Colonel Harrington’s IPA had a nice vibe similar to bitterly buttery apple-pear-grapefruit-tinged Newmarket Pale Ale. Toasted oats and tangerine-nectar give way to ice tea nicety for passable Illinois Amber Ale. Dry tea-like façade increases fig-soured honey-smitten tendency of Big Beaver Brown Ale. Perhaps reminiscent of Huber Bock, Stumblin’ Stout gathered mild coffee-mocha souring and coarse hop-roasted prickle.