Hey, all! It’s been a minute since I posted, as we’ve been on the road and also did a bunch of site maintenance. Anyway, we went to Illinois this year to visit family and friends, and to hang out a bit.
This is part one of some random photos from these visits, even though you might have caught a lot of them on social media. Enjoy!
Back with the family, back with their local craft bar, Tap House.
It was cold when we arrived! We had to up our wardrobe warmth game.
Louis was tired.
‘Merica. SMH.
Fortunately, we have the smile of our niece to make us forget about that ridiculousness.
Cold weather makes us grumpy, though.
But! Bentley is always here to hang out and make us feel better, too.
A 4-foot-tall bobblehead luchador? We really wanted to steal this and we even tried to find one online. So. Cool.
We went shopping for those aforementioned winter clothes, and stopped by Ten Ninety Brewing Co. in Glenview, IL. These guys are doing great things!
We were still cold, though. :(
This is hilarious. Much better than that ridiculous sticker I showed you earlier.
Now that we’re in America, we naturally have to eat all the goodies we can’t get in Europe. Fried chicken time with our brother-in-law, Ben! At Mother Cluckers in Palatine, IL.
We also swung through Mikerphone Brewing, one of the best breweries in the area – and the entire country, for that matter. Big thanks to Nick, Mike, Kyle, Randy, Pete, Frankie, and Jimmy for the hospitality and good times!
Delicious Italian food at Ciao Baby! in Barrington, IL, with the family.
A super-yummy birthday dinner for me with the family at Wok’n Fire in South Barrington, IL. #yumface
42 years on the planet. Oof! Time for delicious cake by Mom, and tasty beer by The Mitten Brewing Co.
Watching our niece’s team play softball is always an integral part of our visits back to Illinois. A little powwow after their 19-0 victory. Whoa!
Thanks to the fine folks at Perrin Brewing Co. for sending us this care package for our Hopsmash project. Helps keep the blood warm during these cold times. Brrrr!
Another very important mission we have when in Illinois is to head over to Balkan Taste in Mt. Prospect, IL, to enjoy some of their great Balkan food. It always gives us great memories of our time living in Montenegro.
Ang, trying out what life would be like with a fancy mustache.
Stopped by The Craft Beer Store in Libertyville, IL, to check out their goods and stock up…because we certainly needed more beer. Ha.
Our friends’ dog, Annie. Super-cute, but also super-crazy!
Our friend, Bob, and his family had us all over for BBQ. So. Many. Drools.
It also snowed. What. The. Fuuuuuuuuu……..
I had to take a nap with Bentley after that trauma.
Louis wasn’t having it, either.
Ang made cookies, though, which made us all feel better. Phew.
A couple of really cool beer gems and whatnot we got at this particular time…
First up, from Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids, MI! An eisbock beer that actually bent the tank it was in at the brewery.
And some treats from New Holland Brewing Co. in Holland, MI.
We also headed into Chicago to visit some friends, but not before stopping at a couple of breweries to taste some more delicious goodness.
First up, Begyle Brewing Co. A huge thanks to Chelsea for the hospitality!
Then, we headed a block over to try out the German-inspired beers at Dovetail Brewery. Thanks to Tanja for the good times!
Then, it was off to Tandoor Char House for some Indian food.
We also finally got a chance to visit Noon Whistle Brewing Co. in Lombard, IL. So, so good. Many thanks here to Kassie, Billy, Jess, Mike, and the two Matts!
And…more! We also stopped by Solemn Oath Brewery in Naperville, IL, to try their goods in person. Thanks to Nichole and David!
And, after that very long and random post…that’s a wrap!
Also be sure to check out our Hopsmash project on Instagram and Facebook.
A very special thanks to everyone at all of these establishments for their delicious concoctions and hospitality. An extra-special thanks to Ben, Heidi, and Grace for hanging out and hosting us. Always great times!
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Have you ever been to any of these places? If so, what’d you think? If not, what say ye? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!