On December 3, 2018, Illinois will turn 200 years old, but the state is turning the bicentennial into a yearlong celebration. It wouldn't be a party without some refreshments, which is why organizers have commissioned a commemorative craft beer to mark the occasion, which will be produced by Petersburg brewery Hand of Fate Brewing. It's called the 1818 Prairie State Farmhouse Ale and will be available throughout the state—but only through the end of 2018.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Hand of Fate's bicentennial beer is a 5.5 percent ABV "Illinois farmhouse ale" brewed with Illinois-grown hops (from Hallowed Hops Farm in Lewistown) and yeast strain developed by Chicago's own Omega Yeast Labs.
Hand of Fate was awarded the honor of brewing the Illinois bicentennial beer after winning a competition at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, which included 19 brewers from across the state (including Chicago's Aleman Brewing Company and Evanston's Sketchbook Brewing Company).
If you're willing to take a road trip, 1818 Prairie State Farmhouse Ale is already on tap at Hand of Fate's taproom in Petersburg. The rest of the state will get a taste as cans and kegs of the beer begin arriving throughout Illinois in 2018.
