From Dry January to March Basketball, Support for Suburban Craft Brewers Pivotal This Time of Year

Dry January may be behind us, but it kicks off what is historically the slowest part of the year for craft breweries. Most Illinois brewers will tell you that the winter months hit hard, particularly for our team members whose incomes depend on tips.

But we know it's coming, and we plan for it. At Mikerphone Brewing, we schedule fewer beer releases and ramp up production for our barrel-aged collection. We source more nonalcoholic beverage options for our taproom, and we get extra creative about how we drive traffic into the brewery. Perhaps most important, we have year-round conversations with our staff about how to plan for slower periods like these.

Still, the support from our community is essential during this time of year. And whether you're extending Dry January or staying true to a New Year's resolution, you can still support your local breweries.

Consider purchasing a gift card for a friend or snagging some new merchandise. Bring your family to our taproom for an afternoon of games, trivia, and nonalcoholic slushies. Check out our Facebook Events to see when local bands and food trucks will be on-site. And, while you're there, share a post or leave a positive review. These small actions can help our breweries emerge from the winter stronger and better prepared for the spring ahead.

The New Year will always be a good time to reset, and we fully support that. Like most craft breweries, we work to cultivate an environment that appeals to everyone, from families to craft beer enthusiasts and, yes, even those who skip the beer. Stop in and see for yourself.

Mike Pallen is the founder and head brewer at Elk Grove Village's Mikerphone Brewing.