Bloomington-Normal highlights?

Stores: Binny's and Friar Tuck's, both in Bloomington, are the biggest and best. Budget Liquors on Linden Street in Normal and Famous Liquors on Empire in Bloomington are smaller but have pretty good selections. University Liquors on University and 707 (one on Main Street and the other on Beaufort), all in Normal, are the third tier - they might have some under-the-radar finds but are probably skippable.

Brewpub: Destihl, no question. You'll be able to say you were there before they were big.

Restaurants: The best for craft beer, more or less in order: Medici, Firehouse Pizza, Lunker's, and Maggie Miley's, all within a few blocks of each other in Normal. Fat Jack's and Rosie's are bars in Bloomington and usually have a few decent things on draft (though FJ's doesn't really serve food, and beware the college bro crowd in the evenings). Joe's Station House, in the same shopping center as Destihl, usually has a couple decent selections too.

 

I live in Bloomington. Famous liquor is a joke, don't waste your time, grocery stores have better selection. Destihl has good food but I don't know many local beer geeks that go there for the beer. Anything decent they make they either ship to Chicago or hold for festivals.

Fat jacks in downtown Bloomington has the best selection, Medici and firehouse in Normal aren't bad either.

If you want to do an ip trade or meet up for a beer shoot me a message.

 

Definitely go to Destihl and get a flight or two. I was more than impressed with my visit.