Rockford Sun

In an Aug. 8 Facebook post, Rep. Joe Sosnowski cheered the state's ranking among the best for beer lovers. Illinois was ranked third in the country.

"Thanks in part to the state's thriving microbreweries, a new survey has ranked Illinois as the third best state in the nation for beer lovers," Sosnowski said.

In his post, Sosnowski shared a link to a State Journal-Register article that discussed the designation. The survey was conducted by Illinoisbet.com, and the state got an average score of 13.3, ranking seventh in quality, 32nd in quantity, and first in affordability. The data came from ratings on beeradvocate.com, the number of breweries in the state per 100,000 people, and determined the average cost of a 24-pack per state to develop their rankings.

Enjoy Illinois lists 206 breweries in the state, grouped into four regions. Those regions are “Chicago and Beyond,” “Great Rivers Country,” “Land of Lincoln,” and “Trails to Adventure.” The various listings share information about the breweries and their locations, and not whether the locations are still open.

Illinois breweries won seven medals in the 2023 World Beer Cup Midwestern competition. Gold medal winners were: “Little Wing” International Pilsner, Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co.; “Bruski” American-Style Amber Lager, Noon Whistle Brewing. 

Silver medals were awarded to: “Nose Over Tail” German-Style Bock/Maibock, Pollyanna Brewing Co.; “Easy Hour” Altbier, Roaring Table Brewing Co.; “Bufflehead Brown Ale” American-Style Brown Ale, Kishwaukee Brewing Co. 

The two breweries that took home a bronze were: “Beer for the Soul” American Belgo-Style Ale, Sketchbook Brewing Co.; “Bear’s Choice” Strong Red Ale, Tighthead Brewing Co.”

In 2022, according to AXIOS Chicago, Illinois brewers took home 10 medals in the Great American Beer Festival. Those included: “Haymarket Beer Co. winning Silver in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category. On Tour Brewing Co. also won a Silver in the American Pilsner category. Alarmist Brewing taking home a Bronze in the American-Style Lager category. And Ravinia Beer Co. won Bronze in the Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale category.” Maplewood Brewing Co., in Chicago, won a gold medal in the oatmeal stout category with “Fat Pug” beer.

Sosnowski represents the people of the 69th District and has done so since 2010. He has experience as a DeKalb City Councilor, and as a Rockford City Councilor, and is a licensed real estate broker. He and his family live in Rockford, according to his official biography.