It's Friday, and to me that is always an excuse to enjoy a cold beverage or two.

What makes this Friday, May 14, even better is that it also happens to be the kickoff day for "Illinois Craft Beer Week", and I think we are all now obligated to celebrate with our favorite Rockford brews.

If you're picking up what I'm throwing down here, you should probably stop into Prairie Street Brewing Company in Downtown Rockford tonight, or at least some time this week, and plan on throwing down some extras bills or two when you pay your bill.

From Friday, May 14 through Friday, May 21, Prairie Street Brewing Company will not only provide you with great food and hometown brews, but also the opportunity to help local breweries and their employees who have been hit hard thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pay It Forward for Illinois Breweries

It's called 'Pay It Forward', and the movement is just what you think it is; the encouragement to tip extra in appreciation for the fine service, food and drink that Prairie Street prides themselves on and Rockford loves.

Prairie Street Brewing Co. Co-founder & Brewery Director Reed Sjostrom recently told mystateline.com;

When you’re buying a beer from here, it goes directly to our local brewery staff, our staff here. Everybody that is here is born and raised in Rockford, IL. That’s why we’re here. We love supporting our city.

They love supporting us, and now we really need to make an effort to continue to support them. Go eat, drink, and be heavy tippers at Prairie Street this week.

FYI, several other Illinois breweries are also participating in Illinois Craft Beer Week festivities, so you should probably plan a whole craft beer road trip this weekend too. (Just don't forget to get a designated driver while you're at it.)

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