Spend A Weekend On The Southern Illinois Beer Trail (Red Loop Edition)

Ready for a weekend trip? Check out the Southern Illinois Beer Trail. About four hours by car from Chicago, and just a hop, skip and a jump from Springfield or St. Louis. This trail in central and southern Illinois covers breweries from Alton, near St. Louis in the north, to Murphysboro in the south. The tour map includes three separate beer routes based on location, and are conveniently labeled the Red, Blue and Green loops. The Red Loop is in the St. Louis area, and includes:

The Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton is a certified organic brewery (that’s a big deal!) located in the old Colonial Bakery building built in the late 1800’s. In addition to their extensive beer line up, they serve up some delicious snacks, sandwiches, salads, burgers and tacos as well. They also offer wine and cocktails if the mood strikes you. www.oldbakerybeer.com

Head south along the Mighty Miss for 20 minutes, and you will find yourself in Edwardsville where you can visit Recess Brewing, a community supported brewery serving up brews like their 2211 IPA. It's a hop-lovers dream beer featuring two pounds of mixed hops per barrel. That’s a lot of hops folks! www.recessbrewing.com

Excel Brewing Company is part of the famous Excel Bottling Company, founded in 1936, and bottlers of Ski, Lucky Club Cola and Frostie Root Beer. Enjoy over a dozen craft beers focused on West Coast IPA’s and German-Stuyle Lagers. Their taproom has limited hours, open Fridays from 4 to 9pm and Saturdays 2-9pm, so plan accordingly. www.excelbottling.com

Head about 20 miles south to O'Fallon, and you will discover Peel Brewing Company with their crazy-delicious wood fired pizza and a variety of craft brews. I suggest one of their flagship beers like the Blood Orange Wheat, with orange peel, coriander and buckets of blood orange puree. www.peelpizza.com/brewery

Finish up with Main Street Brewing Company in Belleville, where you can enjoy your favorite beer with one of their off-the-charts aged Black Angus steaks. I promise, you will not leave hungry. www.mainstreetbrewingco.com

For more info about the trail, check out the SIBT Website at https://www.southernillinoisbeertrail.com.

*BeerTrippr loves designated drivers. Please, don’t drive drunk.*