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So, last week I took my own recommendation and drank upwards of seven Abita Turbodogs before and during the LSU game. It seemed to be working for the Badgers, but then, well, you know what happened. For this week I bring you some beer from the part of the state I live in that I would never visit, western Illinois!
While Chicago has a thriving craft beer scene (just wait until we play Northwestern, I have quite literally 50 beers you should try when visiting the Windy City), western Illinois is trailing a bit behind Chicago (and the rest of America) in beer, fashion, television and using laptops to take notes in class.
HOWEVAH, there is one brewpub that I can't help but recommending if you ever find yourself driving towards Macomb, IL. There is a brewery in Galesburg, IL called Iron Spike Brewing, and while I've never been there, multiple friends have trumpeted their beers to me. I, embarrassingly, have had multiple friends live in Quincy, IL (and also Iowa, but I don't keep in touch with any of them) who tell me that Iron Spike brews a mean beer.
Looking at their menu, they have four locally brewed beers as well as a few guest taps. Nothing too intere...HOLY SHIT THEY HAVE GOOSE ISLAND BOURBON COUNTRY STOUT ON DRAUGHT FOR $6.50!?!?!?! Look, I don't care if it's four hours away from Chicago, you go to any place that has BCS for under seven bucks. I'm sorry, I got distracted. Iron Spike also brews their own beers and if you're there you should probably check them out. Based on their list I would order the Screaming Thunderbox first. A Belgian saison that clocks in at a hair under 10%, that will make you forget any game from the first week of the season.
If you are lucky enough to know someone coming to Madison from western Illinois this week, ask them to pick up some beer from Iron Spike. If you are like the rest of us and know no one from western Illinois, get a head start on fall and grab a six-pack of Capital Oktoberfest. Enjoy the game y'alll, and don't drink and offensive coordinate *glares at Andy Ludwig*.