Cody

Step inside Goldfinger Brewing in Downers Grove, where tradition meets precision. From oak-smoked Grodziskie to crisp, decoction-brewed lagers, discover how this brewery’s Old World dedication is quietly fueling a modern lager renaissance in the Midwest.

For years, craft beer leaned into extremes, bigger hops, wilder adjuncts, louder everything. But while the noise got louder, lager stayed steady. Now it’s having its moment. Light lager broke into Untappd’s global top three in 2024, and nearly half of craft drinkers call it their go-to style. Clean, crisp, and unforgiving of shortcuts, a great lager says everything about the people who brewed it. If you’ve been sleeping on lagers, it’s time to wake up. Here are five worth cra

American Craft Beer Week 2025 runs May 12–18, uniting beer lovers nationwide to celebrate local breweries, fresh releases, and the official start of beer season with events across all 50 states.