Brew Pubs

So over thanksgiving break, having recently turned 21, I spent a lot of time in 2 glorious brew pubs of the Quad Cities. Surprisingly, we have an amazing selection of bars and microbreweries. It's amazing. So after coming home, I "went out for a beer" at Bent River Brewing Company in downtown Moline, IL several times, and also made a trip to The Blue Cat Brew Pub in downtown Rock Island, IL. They both were a real good time- great atmosphere (not dumb college kids drinking until they puke and grinding all over everything) and great hand crafted beers.

I bought a growler (a half gallon glass jug of beer) from Bent River for 11 bucks that you can bring in a refill for 7 each time. I filled it up twice- once with the interesting sweet potato ale, and to take back to Chambana, the oatmeal stout. Also, a favorite I had at the Blue Cat was the Belgian Strong Ale- it's 10% alc. so they serve it to you in like a sweet 12 oz cogniac glass instead of the traditional pint.
So on the drive back I realize that Champaign-Urbana has no such place. To my knowledge there is no microbrewery in the area. That is both disappointing and surprising given the college town beer drinking culture, and no, I'm not talking about some bros hanging out and killing a 30 pack playing beer pong. The other kind of beer drinking, the casual kind.
According to an October 4th News-Gazette article downtown Champaign bar owner Chris Knight is considering opening one up. I really think there is a market for this kind of place. As people get older they get tired of the same old college drinking routine- I mean don't get me wrong, that kind of drinking has its place. Who doesn't love a good game of flippy cup (I played last night) or beer pong. But the point of the matter is, that kind of stuff isn't entertaining every time I want to drink. Sometimes I'd like to just go sit down in a nice, more relaxed microbrewery atmosphere. There's just something about being in the same place that the beer is actually created, that makes the atmosphere different.
So in conclusion, I'd like to see a microbrewery open up in downtown Champaign or Urbana. I think there is a huge market for it especially with professors and graduate students... or just anyone looking for a pint of a unique, freshly brewed ale or lager.