Our Year in Beer - Top 5 Breweries of 2023!
With the addition of Warren to our family in January, 2023 felt like we really slowed down in our brewery visits - but looking back, we somehow managed to still visit 37 different breweries spanning 8 states! With that said, here are the top 5 we experienced (in no particular order).
Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village, Illinois
While a lot of breweries might have a theme to them, Mikerphone Brewing’s musical vibe takes it to a whole other level featuring records, album covers, guitars for decor, and custom microphones for tap handles. It even goes so far as to name their beers after musical characteristics. Their beer is just as robust as their atmosphere with 20 options (including a whopping 10 IPAs). The brewing team does a great job of mixing and matching their flavors, including a Berliner Weisse with a rich creaminess combined with cherry and vanilla and a golden ale that tastes just like dill pickles. This place just outside of Chicago had it all and is one we would hit up again!
Check out our full feature on Mikerphone here.
Strap Tank Brewery in Lehi, Utah
Strap Tank Brewery is really an experience just as much as it is a brewery. The place is just one building of a larger complex that features a motorcycle museum, barber shop, and ice cream parlor, while the brewhouse itself is modeled after the original Harley Davidson factory. The detail that went into the structure is amazing, including chunks of brick intertwined in the concrete floor, aged wood ceiling joists, and vintage motorcycle signage perfectly spread around the facility. Strap Tank had 14 different beers on tap during our visit, which is rather impressive to see in Utah, as each one had to stay below 5% ABV by law. While the beer is what brought us in the door, we were also able to experience their extensive food menu which included burgers, tacos, and steaks. If you find yourself in the Salt Lake City area, this place is one to check out!
Check out our full feature on Strap Tank here.
Lua Brewing in Des Moines, Iowa
During a long weekend in Des Moines, we found the city to be underrated as a beer destination - the area has tons of breweries with Lua Brewing being our favorite of the trip. This contemporary-style brewery features tons of natural light highlighting the crystal-like chandeliers and hand-painted wall murals found throughout the space. What really made this place stand out though is their beer! The brews seem to come to life through unique ingredients like mango, coconut, and local coffee, creating flavor profiles that are tough to match. In addition to serving great beer, they also have a full kitchen with unique menu options like caviar, mussels, and salmon, as well as your typical sandwiches and burgers. Based on the large crowd when we visited, it seems like plenty of other people find Lua to be a destination just like we did.
Check out our full feature on Lua here.
Servaes Brewing Company in Shawnee, Kansas
Our top brewery list wouldn’t be complete without featuring our favorite in all of Kansas City in Servaes Brewing Company. In our opinion, their beer rivals that of anyone in its constantly changing selection menu. Most of their brews utilize a standard base such as the Empty Canvas (cream ale), Rise Up (milk stout), or Dreams in Color (Berliner Weisse), and then they experiment by adding different extracts to each. Over the years we have seen them incorporate seasonal-themed flavorings like cereal, Girl Scout Cookies, and pumpkin pie (which always brings a crowd upon the release). Their 2023 expansion provides a spacious atmosphere in downtown Shawnee, making it that much easier to bring our friends and family.
Check out our full feature on Servaes here.
Fair State Brewing Cooperative in Minneapolis, Minnesota
“Drink like you own the place” is the motto at Fair State Brewing Cooperative and, after walking in, we soon found out why. The place has a co-op ownership structure, meaning a bunch of community members actually own the company as a collective. In fact, one wall of the brewery features an individual picture of each of the hundreds of owners. Fair State has 20+ different beers on the menu to choose from, with 5 being flagship options and the remainder rotating out until they’re gone. During our visit, the selections were heavy on the IPA and lager side, but their brewers do a nice job of ensuring each one is uniquely different through the use of varying hops and malts. This is the perfect spot to kill a few hours just outside of downtown Minneapolis.
Check out our full feature on Fair State here.
Photo by J. Beaty Photo
2023 was a year of transition for us as we ventured into parenthood, but we stayed true to our roots and our love for craft beer - it was especially nice to have Morgan start sampling brews again after a 9-month hiatus! We appreciate everyone who has followed us and all of the paths we’ve crossed this past year on our beer journey. Cheers to the next pint and to all of the breweries awaiting us in 2024!
Cheers!
