5 Best Craft Breweries near Champaign

“We enjoyed our time at the Blind Pig
Stop in there befor our concert.Our server was absolutely fantastic Her name was Mesa♥Our bison, burger and fries were delicious.The chili was off the hook.✨✨ The craft beers were soooo good🍻.We didn't have enough time to try them.All we will be back.Thank you so much Mesa and everyone at the Blind Pig😊♥“

“The best, most innovative, and most dedicated local brewery. Sorry to the other local breweries, there’s certainly no shortage of them, and they’re each quite good: but Triptych leaves the all competing for second place.“

“The One Near UIUC Where Good Decisions Go to Die (Happily)

Listen up, fellow younger Homo sapiens of questionable judgment: Bharat Mon and Kiki Mon dragged me to this brewery near the UIUC campus, and I am forever in their debt. Or at least until the hangover fully lifted. What a gloriously stupid, beautiful and eventful evening.

This place has the perfect “I’m not going home yet” energy. Nice vibe, tons of seating so you can sprawl around, taco trucks serving loaded Mexican flavor that somehow tastes even better when you’re already deep in 3 glasses of beer, live music, and crucially plenty of parking in case you decide to leave your car 😆

The beers? Excellent. Get the Hefeweizen. That thing is pure liquid gold. Smooth, refreshing, and then bam it hits you upside the head like a hammer after glass number three. One minute you’re casually discussing life, the next you’re outside in front of the brewery lining up for an impromptu 50 meter dash with your friends because… science? Peer pressure? The Hefeweizen made us do it?

I won, by the way. Absolute legend status unlocked. Nothing says “peak physical condition” like outrunning a decade younger buddies while the world is gently spinning.

What an eventful, slightly blurry, thoroughly excellent day. If you’re anywhere near campus, go. Immediately. Just maybe leave the car keys with someone more responsible. You’ll thank me later… or at least you’ll thank the Hefeweizen.“

“Cloud Mountain is amazing. They are an award winning Kombucha shop with the best owners and staff around!

They usually have ~13 different flavors: I personally recommend Lavender Honey or Hops. You can get flights and samples before you try anything.

Indoor and patio area is great! Go check it out!“

“I visited 25 O’Clock Brewing Company for a quick drink and had a really solid overall experience.

The vibe is very chill with an open, comfortable layout. There’s a mix of bar seating, tables, and outdoor seating, and even though there was a decent crowd, it still felt cozy and relaxed. The space also has board games available, which adds to the laid-back atmosphere. I also found the bathroom doors—made of bare wood with handwritten messages from guests—interesting and unique, though I’m not entirely sure if that’s intentional or just part of the aesthetic.

We were greeted by a friendly bartender who offered samples, which was appreciated and helped with decision-making. There was also a happy hour from 4–6 PM with $1 off drafts.

In addition to drinks, they also offer food options, though we didn’t order anything during this visit.

I wasn’t in the mood for alcohol, so I tried the Cloud Mountain kombucha instead, which I’d heard is popular locally. I was able to sample a 2 oz pour for $2 before committing, which was a nice option. The kombucha itself was crisp, refreshing, and not overly sweet—honestly one of the better ones I’ve had.

My partner tried three beers and found them decent, though nothing particularly memorable.

Overall, this is a great spot for a relaxed drink with a good atmosphere and friendly service. The kombucha stood out as excellent, and while the beers were more average, the overall experience makes it worth a visit.“