GENEVA, IL — Nestled next door to West Chicago, Art History Brewing in Geneva has earned national recognition as one of the 30 best breweries in the United States. The accolade comes from a survey conducted by VinePair, an online platform dedicated to wine, spirits, and beer culture.
Located at 649 W. State St., Art History Brewing is one of only two Illinois breweries to make the prestigious list, joining Alulu Brewery and Pub in Chicago. The rankings were determined by a panel of 30 beer experts, including writers, educators, historians, and community leaders.
“We are humbled to be mentioned in this year’s lineup,” the brewery’s staff shared in a recent social media post. “Cheers, friends!”
Since opening in March 2020, Art History Brewing has cultivated a reputation for excellence, drawing praise for its diverse offerings and commitment to quality. Virginia Thomas, a craft beer specialist from Park Ridge, highlighted the brewery’s ability to excel across a wide range of styles.
“While they do have a lager-forward focus, you can find everything from Rauchbiers to double dry-hopped IPAs and Belgian saisons on their roster,” Thomas said. “They also make one of my all-time favorite beers, Wenceslas, a dark Czech-style lager paying homage to Wenceslas the First, Duke of Bohemia, and star of the classic Christmas carol ‘Good King Wenceslas.’”
The brewery’s success has not gone unnoticed. Shortly after opening, it faced the challenge of scaling up production to meet demand. “We quickly sold so much beer that we had to pull back on distribution until we could expand our capacity,” Thomas noted.
Tom Rau, co-founder and president of Art History Brewing, expressed gratitude for the recognition. “We are always humbled to see our work celebrated,” Rau said. “There are so many great breweries, especially in Illinois, so being named among them validates the hard work our team puts in every day.”
For beer enthusiasts in the area, Art History Brewing’s inclusion on this national list underscores the vibrant craft beer scene thriving in the heart of Illinois.
