About a month ago, a quick trip up north turned into an epic 350-mile trek (Hitting the Hills: A Northwest Illinois & Wisconsin Brewery Road Trip). I fell in love with the scenic, winding roads and quiet small-town setups of Northwest Illinois. The landscape out here completely shatters the myth that Illinois is nothing but flat cornfields.
I couldn’t stay away for long. On a gorgeous mid-August afternoon, I headed back out to hit three more small-town breweries along the US Route 20 corridor and the surrounding driftless hills. Here is how the second leg unfolded.
Stop 1: Mud Run Beer (Stockton, IL)
Located at 124 S Main St in Stockton, Mud Run Beer is a absolute home run. The building itself has an awesome contrast—it’s an old, historic structure on the outside, but fully updated, modern, and extremely clean on the inside (including immaculate bathrooms). The layout spans three floors, complete with two outdoor seating areas.
Let’s start with Chris, who is a fantastic ambassador for this brewery. He’s incredibly inviting, personable, and eager to share his knowledge. After chatting for a bit, he put together a mini flight of his favorite beers for me. Every single one was solid, and the gesture was much appreciated. I ended up ordering KAP’s IPA, which was a bit different from what I normally gravitate toward, but still very good.
Now, let’s talk about the food: it is completely out of sight. I ordered the BBQ Banh Mi Pork ($20), which was far too much food for one sitting. It came with loaded baked potato salad that could easily be a standalone meal on its own. While the food pricing felt a little high at first glance, fresh on-site BBQ is never cheap, and the quality and massive portions more than justified the tab. The beer pricing was right in line, maybe even a bit cheaper than expected.
Chris is awesome, the setup is top-notch, and I would gladly come back here again.
Stop 2: Highway 20 Brewing (Elizabeth, IL)
Just down the road at 113 S Main St in Elizabeth sits Highway 20 Brewing. You can’t miss it right on Route 20 as you coast into town through the rolling hills. It makes for a beautiful drive.
They don’t serve food here, so the focus is strictly on the draft list. I had Oh Danny Boy, an Irish Red ale with great balance and fantastic flavor. The best part? A full pint was only $6 including tax. In Illinois! Seeing a $6 pint again genuinely brought me back.
Behind the bar was Cole, who had a huge smile and positivity for miles. Armed with a deep, booming voice dripping with excitement, he was eager to help and even ran to check for a shirt in my size (sorry there was only 1 left!). Cole is the kind of guy who should be behind every bar in America.
Highway 20 is an easy, highly recommended stop whenever you’re passing through Jo Daviess County.
Stop 3: Pecatonica Beer Company (Warren, IL)
Tucked further north near the state line at 136 E Main St in Warren, Pecatonica Beer Company sits in a very small town nestled in the hills. The drive out here isn’t the easiest route, but it is well worth it for the scenery alone. You’ll recognize the brewery on the main drag by the partial canoe mounted above the front door.
Inside, they left the old building raw to show off its history. The natural patina fits perfectly with their outdoor musky fisherman vibe. In fact, their tap handles are custom-made by a local musky guide who crafts lures during the off-season—easily some of the coolest tap handles I have ever seen.
I ordered the Muskelager, which was about average for the style. Like Highway 20, they don’t serve food, but they do match that incredible $6 tax-included price tag for a full draft pint. Again, a rare find in Illinois these days.
I arrived around 4:00 PM on a gorgeous Saturday and was the only customer in the room. I had a great conversation with the bartender—a super nice gentleman—who explained that because they sit further off Route 20, summer drive-by traffic usually misses them. They operate more as a local off-season haven.
Pecatonica is a cool, authentic spot, and I would definitely visit again just because I love this region so much.
Final Thoughts
Northwest Illinois continues to impress. Finding two separate spots pouring $6 full draft pints, coupled with small-town hospitality like Chris at Mud Run and Cole at Highway 20, makes taking the back roads worth every mile. If you’re planning a trip out toward Galena or the driftless area, make sure to venture off the main highway and check these places out. Enjoy!