Making great cider is easy
What's New At Gnome Brew:
- Making great cider is easy
- IBRU Bottle Cap Brew Off
- November Bottle Share
- On Tap At Gnome Brew
- Upcoming Events in the Homebrew Community
Making Great Cider is Easy
Pre-Order Your Cider
Good juice, yeast, and a few basic supplies are all you need to make cider that’s better than much of what you’ll find at the store. Our Cider Buy’s fresh, unpasteurized heirloom apple juice brings the tannins, bright acidity, and complexity that make great cider.
There’s no mash or boil. Start with a sanitized fermenter and airlock. Campden tablets help control wild yeast and bacteria in the fresh juice. Wait 24 hours before adding your yeast, and use yeast nutrient to support a healthy fermentation. Then let the yeast do the work.
Our How to Brew Cider guide walks you through the process, including bottling. You’ll also find resources on our website to help you choose a yeast and the right supplies for your batch.
Preorder your Cider Buy juice for pickup November 7. Add yeast, Campden tablets, yeast nutrient, and any equipment you need.
IBRU Bottle Cap Brew Off
Entries Are Open
Enter your homebrew in the 2026 IBRU Bottle Cap Brew Off. Registration is $12 per entry, with up to three entries per brewer. This is a beer-only competition, cap increased to 200!
Register by Friday, October 30, at 5 PM CDT, or before the competition fills. Bottle drop-off and shipping receipt run October 19–30. Gnome Brew is a drop-off location; check the competition page for confirmed drop-off hours before bringing your entries.
The competition is November 14, with the awards ceremony at 5 PM CST at Off Square Brewing in Crown Point, Indiana.
Enter the IBRU Bottle Cap Brew Off
November Bottle Share
November 12th, 7:15 to 9:15 PM at Gnome Brew
Our Monthly Bottle Share At Gnome Brew
Bring a couple bottles of your homebrewed beer, cider, wine or mead to share. Try other brewers’ creations, get feedback on your own and trade brewing tips. New to brewing or don’t have bottles to bring? You’re welcome to join us.
Free. No registration required.
On Tap At Gnome Brew
Bud Heavy, 7.2%
An imperial interpretation of a classic Budvar-style lager, with richer Czech malt character and enough spicy, herbal Saaz bitterness to hold the increased gravity in balance.
Fonio Wine, 7.5%
This fonio-heavy beer trades some of the style’s dense malt character for a lighter, more delicate grain profile. A large dose of Nelson Sauvin and Hallertau Blanc drives gooseberry, white grape, and dry white wine-like aroma and flavor.
Oaktoberfest, 5.9%
This rich, bready, and smooth Märzen showcases the complex flavors of Weyermann Floor Malted Bohemian Pilsner and Floor Malted Bohemian Dark malts. After 3 months aging on light-toast American oak chips, it develops an enhanced velvety mouthfeel and significant notes of vanilla.
Upcoming Events in the Homebrew Community
Tuesday, October 20: HOPS! Club Meeting
7:30 – 9:30pm VFW Hall 5079, 3202 S May St Chicago, IL 60608
Wednesday, October 28: Ravenswood Costume Crawl
5:30 – 8:30pm
The Ravenswood Costume Crawl is a 21+ Halloween treats & BOOze crawl that takes place at shops and restaurants located along Montrose Avenue. https://ravenswoodchicago.org/signature-events/costume-crawl/
Thursday, October 29: Square Kegs Homebrew Club Meeting
7:00 – 10:00pm, Dovetail Brewery, 1800 W Belle Plaine Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Friday, October 30: Montrose Monster Mash
4:00 – 7:00pm This FREE trick-or-treating event invites families to dress up and explore shops and restaurants along Montrose Avenue
https://ravenswoodchicago.org/signature-events/montrose-monster-mash/
November 7: Cider Day, 2–5 PM at Gnome Brew. Cider Buy pickup is during the event.
November 12: Gnome Brew Bottle Share, 7:15–9:15 PM at Gnome Brew. Free; no registration required.
November 14: IBRU Bottle Cap Brew Off awards, 5 PM CST at Off Square Brewing, 11000 Delaware Parkway, Crown Point, IN.
All times are local to the listed event. Gnome Brew is at 2026 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago.
