Illinois fines brewery for making cicada-infused Malört

LOMBARD, IL - A Chicago-area brewery has found itself in hot water with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission after an unusual and controversial experiment. Noon Whistle Brewing in Lombard, Illinois, gained attention for creating a limited-edition cicada-infused Malört, blending Chicago’s infamous liquor with locally foraged cicadas. The brew, touted for its "lobster-like flavor sensation," was crafted to celebrate the rare simultaneous emergence of 17-year and 13-year cicada broods.

However, the quirky concoction caught the eye of Illinois regulators. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission issued a fine to Noon Whistle Brewing for violating state regulations related to the use of non-traditional ingredients in alcoholic beverages. The fine comes as a surprise to many, considering the unique nature of the product and the brewery's effort to ensure the cicadas were safe for consumption by cooking and sterilizing them before infusion.

Despite the legal setback, the cicada-infused Malört became a brief but memorable phenomenon in the Chicago area. The shots were sold at the brewery for a limited time, drawing both curiosity and disgust from locals and visitors alike. For those adventurous enough to try it, the experience was described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—if not exactly a culinary delight.

Noon Whistle Brewing’s co-founder acknowledged the fine but expressed no regrets, emphasizing the brewery’s commitment to pushing boundaries and creating memorable experiences for its patrons​.