5 Best Breweries to Try Around Jacksonville, IL

Craft beer and microbreweries are popping up all over cities like Jacksonville, Illinois – adding to the local charm of our community. With just a quick trip to Springfield, exploring the Jacksonville area opens up a wealth of local breweries that you’ve got to check out. Whether you’re into IPAs, stouts, or good old lagers, these spots are all serving up different unique brews, and some even cook up great food to go along. Here are five of the best breweries to try near Jacksonville.

Obed and Isaac’s Restaurant and Brewery

With locations in both Springfield and Peoria, Obed and Isaac’s Restaurant and Brewery offers its patrons great options for brews and grub. If you can make time for the extra drive, head up to the Peoria location, about an hour and 40 minutes north of Jacksonville, to see their impressive church-turned-brewpub. Much of this stone church from 1889 has been worked into the decor of the brewery. Colorful stained glass windows and wooden support beams give this place a unique and welcoming feel. They also have a fun outdoor area, the Bocce Beer Garden, which is perfect for a night under the stars.

The Springfield location is much closer to Jacksonville and housed in a preserved Italianate mansion with a Bocce Beer Garden as well, which welcomes pets, families, and bikes. Enjoy some brews around the fire or while playing a few rounds of bocce. Snack on some parmesan artichoke dip or Bavarian pretzels while you drink or enjoy a full meal with options like the Beer & Whiskey Burger or the Cluckers ‘N’ Waffles. You can stop by for lunch or dinner any day of the week.

Obed and Isaac’s brew list is regularly changing, but they do offer some flagship beers that are typically available year-round. If you’re in the mood for something lighter, their American Wheat has notes of honey and caramel with a medium body. Try Isaac’s IPA for that classic hoppy flavor with hints of orange and pine. The Ditzy Blonde is easy to drink, while the Upside Brown Coffee Ale is perfect for coffee lovers. Depending on the season, you can also try fruity and spicy brews like a Blueberry Wheat or an Oktoberfest.

Engrained Brewery and Restaurant

Engrained has been bringing microbrews and farm-to-table meals to happy locals since 2013. Open daily for lunch and dinner, this is a great place to try new brews and great food. Start with some beer-battered cheese curds and fried pickles and then choose between flatbreads, steaks, Horseshoes (a traditional Springfield dish), burgers, and more. Try the Bourbon BBQ Sloppy Joe or the Farmhand Burger topped with beer-battered onion rings and made with pasture-raised, hormone-free, and antibiotic-free local beef. They also offer a kids menu if you’re bringing the family along.

All year long, you can enjoy Engrained’s year-round brews like the award-winning Hefeweizen, Blackberry IPA, Oatmeal Stout, or the Custom Cup Coffee Stout, which is brewed with locally roasted coffee beans. Fruity Saisons and shandies are available during warmer seasons, and full-bodied, spicy beers are on tap in the winter. Order a keg for your next gathering or take home a few growlers of some brews you enjoyed. Engrained also offers two, four, and six-pack bottle options for you to take home.

Anvil and Forge Brewing and Distillery

Located in the historic section of downtown Springfield, Anvil and Forge is the perfect spot for a fun night. Regular live music from local musicians and board games make this a local favorite for hanging out with friends and family while enjoying quality food and drink. The taproom is open Wednesday through Sunday and late on Fridays and Saturdays. Don’t miss out on the regular Wednesday night trivia nights which are sure to be a great time. Stop by their coffee bar for craft pour-over coffee during the week from 6:30 a.m. until noon.

Anvil and Forge doesn’t serve food, but they welcome their guests to bring some. Grab take out from a nearby restaurant or get food delivered to your table to enjoy with your beer. The tap list is frequently changing, as beers are always in the process of brewing to replace kicked kegs. You’ll find everything from fruity sour ales and ciders to brown ales and IPAs. The Keller Clown, a German-style lager, and the Hazy Midwest Sunrise, a New England-style IPA are available in packaged cans to enjoy at home.

Springfield Beer Company

Head to Springfield Beer Company on Wabash Ave. for a chill atmosphere and interesting craft brews. This brewery likes to work with traditional brews and techniques to find unique flavors and styles that will keep you coming back to try more. They don’t serve food, but Springfield Beer Company shares a building with Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, so you can bring in a burger or something from another local restaurant if you’re hungry.

Guests are welcome Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from noon to midnight, and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. If you’re looking for a spot to host your next big event or family celebration, you can reserve the taproom free of charge. Regular brews on tap include a Russian Imperial Stout, a Bohemian Pilsner, a Double IPA, and a Coffee Blonde Ale.

Buzz Bomb Brewing Company

Open Wednesday through Sunday, Buzz Bomb Brewing Company in Springfield on East Adams Streets is a relatively new brewery that’s becoming a local favorite spot thanks to regular live music, comedy, and trivia nights. Keep an eye out for their Boozy Brunch dates on certain Sundays and Saturdays throughout the year to enjoy some yummy food from Cafe Moxo with Buzz Bomb’s unique beers and cocktails from Just the Basics Mobile Bar.

Buzz Bomb is constantly brewing new beers, but the current tap list includes a wide range of options. Try the Orange Whip Cream Ale, the Walk of Shame IPA, or the Nordic Wit wheat beer. The list might be different each time you visit, but you can always be sure you’ll find artistic brews that celebrate craft beer.

Stay Tuned to the Best of Jacksonville with United Chevrolet Buick GMC

There you have it. United Chevrolet Buick GMC has put together this list of the best breweries worth checking out in the area. Stop by our lot and showroom to browse our selection of new and used vehicles, and let us know which brewery was your favorite. If we missed a great nearby option, be sure to let us know, and we might add it to the list.