Best Of US99

What a thrill to talk to Clint Black for the very first time ~ he called the show to chat about his 35th Anniversary tour for his Killin' Time debut album. For the first time in his career, he'll be doing it front-to-back, how cool is that? We chatted about that, how it will feel at Ravinia this summer + Clint choosing his own #CountryOKE setlist >>>

All the way back to my 2009 afternoon broadcast at Sox Park with David Nail and brand-new Sox starter Jake Peavy (!), we've had a ton of fun with him for years! Stoked that he called this morning to catch up before his Joe's on Weed St show this Friday night >>>

Less than a week after we saw him at the Riv, Russell checked back in about Thanksgiving (already!), buying a condo in the city, his new AfterParty Deluxe project + he said two words he's *never* said before in any interview! Super fun >>>

Super fun to catch up with Chris Lane! He called this morning to chat Halloween costumes & plans tonight, whether or not 1st birthday parties for his son are about the kids or the adults, why he's so excited about his new EP, and the music he's been wormholing lately that just popped on his radar!

What a treat to hear from Dustin just after his new project "Killed The Cowboy" dropped everywhere! He tells us about the background on it, his prediction for the Bears this season, one of his lifelong passions that extends to the last "just because" purchase he made & more >>>

What a great surprise to get a phone call from Bears star offensive lineman Cody Whitehair this morning, on Veteran's Day, as the Bears get ready for their annual #SaluteToService weekend on Sunday at Soldier Field against the Lions! Listen as we chat about that, his military background, the CMAs and his "we haven't talked to ya in awhile" playlist >>>

Love getting a phone call from Keith Urban any day of the week, but on the morning of the CMAs? Heck yeah! Keith tells Drew about the new residency in Vegas, why Chicago always has a leg up on his music, how the songs on the Wheel of Throwbacks actually land on it, plus they put together the "Keith Urban we haven't talked to ya in awhile Playlist" >>>

For Drew's Brews today, we highlight the 20th anniversary of the largest barrel-aged beer festival in America ... FOBAB!The Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers returns to the Credit Union 1 Arena this weekend with 160+ breweries and a few surprises too >>>

For Drew’s Brews today on US*99, I wanted to revisit my favorite accidental find of 2021 that turned into one of my top 3 Chicagoland brewery experiences. Nestled in a shopping mall, it’s possible to miss it if you blink, but once you go in, you’ll never forget. Today we’re loving on Roaring Table Brewing Company in Lake Zurich >>>

For Drew’s Brews today on US*99, I found a spot that’s got two firsts for me. They not only have the biggest flight I’ve ever seen, but my favorite beer from them is a style I’ve never heard of before. Tasty beers and an expansive menu too. Today, we’re lovin’ on Short Fuse Brewing Company in Schiller Park >>>

For #DrewsBrews today, it's officially October tomorrow and we found a super spooky brewery to usher us into all things October and Halloween! Have you heard of Ray Bradbury, from Waukegan? He wrote a dark fantasy book called Something Wicked This Way Comes ... today's brewery is a nod to all things Ray & this novel. Today, we're lovin' on Nightshade and Dark's Pandemonium Brewing in Waukegan >>>

For Drew’s Brews today, we prepare for a huge Oktoberfest celebration next weekend at one of my favorite Chicagoland breweries of all time! Everything about them: the owner, the vibe, the pours. The fact that they have their own brewery dog named Hopper, who not only has his own Instagram page, but is also the friendliest, cuddliest big dog you’ve ever met? Today, we’re lovin' on Seedz Brewery in Union Pier, MI >>>

For Drew’s Brews today, we’re highlighting a brewery we found at Ravinia last weekend. Jill & I did date night for Stevie Nicks, she was amazing, and my pal Frank E Lee from 93XRT was on the Ravinia rooftop doing a broadcast. Wouldn’t ya know it, they were doing beer tastings up there too! We found two of the friendliest guys we’ve met, tasted the beer, bought some for the picnic spread, and it was a great addition to the night. Today we’re talking about Funkytown Brewery … based out of Pilot Project Brewing in Logan Square >>>

For Drew’s Brews, we’re taking another road trip. Last week, we went around the lake to southwest Michigan. Today, we head to central Illinois, a short 90 minutes south to an incredible brewery on a bike path that makes amazing beer. Last Sunday, Jill and I and the kids headed to Bloomington to visit Grandpa Roy. 100 years old, wow, right? Before we came home, we pulled into a parking lot with no spaces left, more than 20 bikes at the bike rack, and got to enjoy some really taste pours. Today, we’re talking about Keg Grove Brewing Company in Bloomington >>>

For Drew’s Brews today on US*99, on a holiday weekend, I thought we could love on a brewery that’s just outside Chicagoland, but an easy quick trip there and back. A few weeks ago, Jill & I spent time with family in a town called Saugatuck in Michigan, just around the lake ~ only about an hour past Michigan and such a beautiful small town. Views of the water were incredible, the beaches were white, clean sand and we found a brewery unlike any other we’ve ever visit. Today, we’re loving on Guardian Brewing Company in Saugatuck >>>

For Drew’s Brews today, we’re re-visiting one of the very first brewers we ever highlighted early last year ... they’ve got a new brew out today that is something they’ve never done before, and it’s a twist because it’s all about the dark beans!Brewing the dark beans, talking about coffee today – loving on our friends at Gigiwatt Coffee Roasters >>>

For Drew’s Brews today, we get to highlight a bunch of breweries across Chicagoland plus one very happy anniversary for Oak Park. On top of that, you have the chance to make a difference with climate change by supporting environmental advocacy. Today, we’re talking about the 15th annual Oak Park Microbrew Review happening tomorrow afternoon in downtown Oak Park >>>

Before he comes to town on Friday night, Jason Aldean called Drew to catch up on life back on the road (and how it feels, even compared to last summer), his guilty pleasure that he hadn't given much thought to before, old cars & much more >>>

For Drew’s Brews today on US*99, I visited the brewery on Tuesday for the first time, because they just opened last Friday! Opening weekend was so successful that they had to close their kitchen on Sunday because the community had sold them out of everything by Saturday night and they had to re-stock (!). Today, we’re talking about Flipside Brewing in Tinley Park. Owned by head brewmaster Erik, the name lends itself to his story >>>

For Drew's Brews today, we rewind to find one of our favorites in a brand-new location and growing every month.Created by Kendall & his wife Aisha as a community space to enjoy an amazingly refreshing blend of African coffees, a great introduction to flavors that lend themselves to a lighter, brighter cup ... today we're featuring Afro Joe's Coffee & Tea in Beverly!

For Drew’s Brews today on US*99, we’re loving on a brewery that has expanded during the pandemic, with a focus on their staple beers as well as expanding into a distillery business with custom cocktails that are super creative. Originally in Lemont, now also in Roselle and St Charles with their spirits, today we’re featuring Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling >>>

For Drew's Brews today, we head south to the Dixie Highway Brewery Trail ... to a spot on Olde Western Ave where you can set up your chairs in the parking lot & sip beer while you listen to live music during the summer! In addition to their beer and house-made soda menus, they just released their first line of draft cocktails! Today, we're loving on Blue Island Beer Company in Blue Island >>>

For Drew’s Brews today, I wanted to revisit a place that was just getting ready to celebrate their 5th anniversary last year and then their world turned upside down. Emily and Paul, wife and husband, plus her brother John ... Mom helps out too. It’s the full family. Two days after we chatted about them last June on #DrewsBrews, a tornado ripped through Woodridge and decimated their taproom and production facility. A year later, they are back and better than ever. Today, we’re loving on Skeleton Key Brewery >>>

For #DrewsBrews today, I wanted to highlight a brewery whom I’ve loved their beers for a long time, but I've never made the trip to their taproom before. Do you have one of those places in your life too? FA trip to see my brother-in-law in Evanston sparked a conversation where he said, “Hey, have you been to their new space in Skokie? It is incredible. You should stop on your way home." And that’s what I did. Today we’re featuring Sketchbook Brewing Company in Skokie >>>

For Drew's Brews today, it’s another first ... A brewery incubator, tasting room & café, created as a collaborative and artistically curious space to help support talented brewers in this incredible industry with exceptionally high barriers, they serve as a launch pad for start-up breweries, offering assistance with fine-tuning recipes, production, business development, marketing, distribution and more. Today we highlight Pilot Project Brewing in Logan Square >>>

For #DrewsBrews today, we visit a brewery where beer is their muse, it’s how they choose to express themselves. Their essence? They’ve got it all. Whether it’s changing careers, naming their brewery after a seemingly incongruous approach to beer, or donating 100% of every Trikonasana yoga class to a different local nonprofit each month, they like doing things differently. Today we're excited to highlight Temperance Beer Company in Evanston >>>

For Drew's Brews today, I’m excited to highlight a brewery that describes themselves as beer, tacos, and a little bit of love. Don’t all three of those things sound amazing? They do to me! Created in 2016 in Highland Park, expanding into a Logan Square production facility and taproom in 2019, today we’re loving on Ravinia Brewing Company in Highland Park & Logan Square >>>

For Drew's Brews today, I’m a huge fan of walking into a space for the first time and you have a feeling of welcome. Small taproom, a few seats at the bar, and it just feels like a place you could be in, at any time. They describe themselves as a small, local brewery. They brew lots of different styles and try to make the best version of whatever beer they can. Some call them a hidden gem, some call them a hole in the wall. One guy told them they remind him of drinking in his friend’s garage. Whatever you say, they just want you to feel welcome and enjoy yourself. Today, we're celebrating D and G Brewing in St. Charles >>>

For Drew's Brews today, it’s another first … but more on that in a moment. We’ve visited breweries with history as their basis. Culture. A certain type of brewing style. Today, it’s all about the music, on the walls, in your ears, in the zen of the taproom ~ Soundgrowler Brewing Company in Tinley Park. They have a wide range of beers to choose from, and if you visit on Friday or Saturday nights, you can enjoy even rarer beers in their Barrel Room. Take a listen and learn all about their vibe >>>

For #DrewsBrews today, it’s another first … we’re highlighting a brand-new brewery that opens TODAY (the ribbon cutting is at 3pm this afternoon)! Today, we’re talking about Hop District Community Brewing Company in La Grange Park. Why the name Hop District? How are these beer names *soooo* Chicago? Learn all the goodness when you listen here >>>

This week, we're not just talking about one brewery. How about over a hundred of 'em? Today marks the beginning of Illinois Craft Beer Week, and there are so many cool events happening for YOU ... kicking off with the #BeerUnderGlass fundraiser at the Great Hall inside Union Station tonight! Take a listen >>>

Today’s brewery popped up on a Google search, it was my first time there, and it was amazing! In the middle of nowhere, one road in and out, a bunch of industrial warehouses, empty on a Sunday afternoon, and then I turn the corner and the parking lot is jam packed. Growth through curiosity. Innovation through exploration Believe in Beer. Today we're talking about Brothership Brewing in Mokena >>>

Hard to believe it’s been almost a year of highlighting our favorite breweries across Chicagoland with Drew's Brews, but that’s how fast time has been flyin’ … so for this week, we head back to revisit the very first brewery we featured … Buckledown Brewing in Lyons! Another wife & husband owner team. Michelle & Ike. Their focus?  Well, Ike is a huge fan of classic beer styles, so they feature a lot on tap, from hoppy IPAs to clean-drinking lagers, with an emphasis on consistently flavorful beers brewed with dedication and skill. What did they add in the pandemic? Why is this weekend so special? Take a listen >>>

Located in an old industrial building that was used for dairy production way back when, we find a brewery with another "first" from all of our visits ... today, we're celebrating Sew Hop'd Brewery & Taproom in Huntley! Rich in history, variety and creativity in beers and the ONE thing they have that I've never seen anywhere else? It's super cool! Take a listen to find out >>>

In an unassuming warehouse district on the South Side of Chicago, we find today's incredible brewing & pizza & art community >>> Marz Brewing! 24 beers on tap, an expansive, oval space that invites conversation and something they call an "absolute crusher" I dug it all! Take a listen >>> 

In an incredibly rich swath of nature, you'll find a truly unique brewery and that's why we're celebrating Kishwaukee Brewing in Woodstock today! Dan, the brewmaster & owner, has a background in architecture, which you can see in the soaring ceilings and lines of their new beer hall, along with the spacious outdoor beer garden. But the thing they do that no one else does? Take a listen to find out >>>