The Smoking Illini

09/01/2024

08/30/2024

The Smoking Illini’s very own Greg “Old Fashioned” Sopa speaks during his induction the 2023 Wisconsin Old Fashioned Hall of Fame! Stop by our 10/19 Old Fashioned Supper Club tailgate to try a Hall of Fame Old Fashioned for yourself! Greg Sopa

08/25/2024

The Smoking Illini tailgating returns Thursday 8/29 in Lot 31 starting at 4:30 p.m. Check out www.smokingillini.com for more details!

02/22/2024

Today the world officially recognized what we all know to be true: Greg “Old Fashioned” Sopa makes a hall of fame brandy old fashioned!

Congratulations to Greg on his induction into the 2nd ever class of the Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame!

10/27/2023

(Que the DJ Khaled “All I Do Is Win” song)….

Today the world officially recognized what all of us in The Smoking Illini nation know to be true….Greg “Old Fashioned” Sopa has been inducted into the Central Standard Craft Distillery Old Fashioned Hall of Fame!

Link to article: https://thecentralstandard.com/latest-brandy-old-fashioned-hall-of-fame-inductees-announced-today/

Among 100s of nominations, Greg was 1 of 6 inducted to the 2nd HOF class! Congrats to a great friend & amazing human being who brings so many great things to our lives, including the tastiest Old Fashioneds south of Kenosha! Cheers!

This Years Honorees Include a 96-Year-Old & Her Tavern Co-Owning Son; A Lake Geneva Mother of 3; Cocktail-Crafting Newlyweds & A Former Wisconsinite Spreading the Lore & Love of Old Fashioneds in Illinois Today Co-Founders Pat and Evan unveiled this year’s inductees into the Milwaukee-based Brandy...

10/20/2023

The Illinois Homecoming 2023 Parade kicks off tonight at 5:30 p.m. on the south end of campus! Come out and watch The Smoking Illini as our float rolls by for our 2nd annual parade entry! We’ve got DJ Chiz (Chris Jacobson-Chism) on the 1s & 2s and a literal metric ton of candy to throw! I-L-L!

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxaatbTYuj6g1a9GpsUgHdHzW0B-jdAfvu?si=qJHVAsybUnwZCsk6

48 seconds · Clipped by Drew Keiser · Original video "Illinois Homecoming Parade 2022" by University of Illinois Alumni Association

10/19/2023

I “donut” know about you, but we can’t wait to kick off UI Homecoming with a Ye Olde Donut Shoppe orange & blue old fashioned!

Grab one at The Smoking Illini tailgate in Lot 31 Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. Check us out at www.smokingillini.com & subscribe to our newsletter!

10/18/2023

Homecoming Tailgate Update!

We talk a lot about building community and are always quick to tout the talents within our group! So when the Boneyard Union of Zymurgical Zealots club approached us about collaborating on brewing some Smoking Illini inspired beers for the 2023 Tailgate season, you know what our answer was!

Come try one of our four Smoking Illini inspired beers on Saturday October 21 starting @ 10:30 a.m. in lot 31!

10/08/2023

Happy Sunday! As you rest & recharge ahead of a new week, we wanted to take a moment to reflect & recap on what’s been an amazing 2023 The Smoking Illini Tailgate Season! A lot more fun times to come with our Homecoming tailgate on Saturday October 21!

Check us out at www.smokingillini.com & subscribe to our newsletter for more all the details!

https://youtu.be/Gu-nigHIdVo?si=MjMVd7SKJvc1q9rs

Barbecue-Bourbon-The Prosciutto of Happiness! It's been a great 2023 tailgate season! Thank you for being a part of it! And come join us for the best to c...

09/24/2023

Let’s see those Game Day pictures and videos from today!

09/22/2023

24 hours to The Smoking Illini Old Fashioned Supper Club tailgate! In prep for our self service meat carving station, we’ve pulled together some of the finest Old Country Buffett meat carving training videos for your study!

No one likes having to make conversation at the Old Country Buffet carving station.Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my channel for lots more! VIC BERGER PRESENTS: A L...