Category Archives: United States Brewpubs

FLATLANDER’S BREWING

United States Brewpubs,

LINCOLNSHIRE, ILLINOIS

Opened  1995, Lincolnshire-based freestanding sportsbar-family restaurant, FLATLANDER’S BREWING, is situated in a modern red brick mini-mall visited August ‘06.

Pristine outdoor deck welcomes patrons to enormous dining space leading into large bar equipped with pool table, brew tanks, small stage, and framed pix of ‘60s cultural icons. Colossal fireplace gives warmth to back dining section and pub fare included salad, ribs, fish, chicken, and crab cakes.

Light amber-grained dry-hopped grape-fig-soured Lincolnshire Lager, styptic Scotch-like caramel-dipped Harvest Amber Ale, hop-prickled lemon-peeled orange-bruised banana-clove-scurried Hefeweizen and mildly medicinal grass-hopped lemon-dropped orange-peeled coriander-teased Belgian Wit suit softer palates.

Heartier thirsts will lean towards mildly creamy coffee bean-fronted espresso-backed grape-soured walnut-charred tar-embittered Locomotive Stout and stubbornly red-fruited herbal-spiced dry-hopped Abe’s Honest Ale.

www.flatlanders.com

MICKEY FINN’S BREWERY

United States Brewpubs,

LIBERTYVILLE, ILLINOIS

Another retreat away from ‘nubian’ cookie cutter mall pubs northwest of Chicago, MICKEY FINN’S BREWERY (open since 1994 and sojourned August ‘06) mirrors the olden patriotic heritage Libertyville’s streets and shops exhibit. Antique oak bar lines entire right side with seating behind and in separate left section. The upper level Amber Room offers live music and banquet space.

Fine pub fare included pizza, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, wienerschnitzel, and Shepherd’s Pie to go with diacetyl, low-alcohol, corn-dried, lemon-puckered, hop-astringent Gudenkrisp Kolsch and lime-wedged, spice hop-prickled, agave-peppered light lager, Mexican Cerveza.

Hop tingling wheat ales included tangy banana bubble-gummy coriander-spiced Gudenteit Hefeweizen, Belgian-styled, lemon-limed, orange-peeled, coriander-clove-spiced, popcorn-buttered Katarina Wit and buttery vanilla-creamed banana-cloved Mickey Finn’s Wheat Ale.

Full-bodied chocolate-roasted Bill’s Oatmeal Stout was unavailable, but delightfully bold Abana Amber Ale aptly plied zesty apple-centric peach-grapefruit punch to caramelized malts and floral-spiced hops.

Beer rotation is amazingly fast, so this is but a small sampling from this truly noble indie Chi-town brewpub.

www.mickeyfinnsbrewery.com

STOCKHOLM’S VARDSHUS

United States Brewpubs,

Stockholm's Restaurant & Brewery | Enjoy Illinois

CHICAGO VICINITY, ILLINOIS

Opening its doors in May 2002, tiny midtown Geneva saloon, STOCKHOLM’S VARDSHUS, retains a friendly Old World charm some historic northwest Chicago suburbs strive for. Visited August ’06, its left side front-to-back mahogany bar opposes dining area. Snug back deck is cozy for sucking down brews from front-windowed brew tanks.

Good sandwiches, ribs, salmon, and Italian fare go well with middling beers such as lemon-fizzed hard-candied wheat-chaffed Older But Weisser and zesty orange-embittered, white grape-soured, green apple-tart Third Street Ale.

Astringently-oxidized meagerly-fruited caramel-malted British bitter S.W.C. fared badly but earthen peat-malted citric-soured Doc’s Porter proved quite satisfying.

Best bet: Aegir’s English Pale Ale succinctly merged caramel kettle corn sugaring with honeyed tea sweetness.

www.stockholmsbrewpub.com

FLOSSMOOR STATION RESTAURANT & BREWPUB

United States Brewpubs,

FLOSSMORE, ILLINOIS

Extensive Chi-town western suburb brewpub tour commenced August ’06. The very best pub was undoubtedly FLOSSMOOR STATION RESTAURANT & BREWERY located at Flossmoor’s brown-bricked gold stucco railroad station in an upscale tree-lined neighborhood south of Chicago. Back bar has beautiful oak mantle and flat screen TV. Several dining tables saddle the front and glass-encased brew tanks adorn the left.

Delicious appetizers, chicken, ribs, and fish entrees went perfectly with well-crafted light fare such as banana-ripened clove-spiced lemon-zipped Nexte Haltestelle Hefeweizen, caramel apple-spiced floral-backed Panama Red Ale, citric-spiced dry-grained Station Master Wheat Ale, and less interesting mild-hopped popcorn-like astringency Zephyr Golden Ale.

After lunch, settled into more profound brews such as IPA-like red-orange-fruited piney hop-embittered Gandy Dancer Honey Ale, sweet molasses-softened oats-toasted resinous-hopped Pullman Nut Brown Ale, delicate raspberry-tart citric-soured Roundhouse Raspberry and bitter woody-hopped grapefruit-apricot-apple-spiced 1906 Anniversary Pale Ale.

But these were just praiseworthy preliminaries for soft orange-bruised cherry-girded coriander-nutmeg-backed medicinal seduction Avant-Garde Farmhouse Saison, buttery malt-induced piney-hopped grapefruit-peach-kiwi-quince-laced Vishnu’s Vice IPA and illuminating sweet-tart red cherry-glistened, biscuit-y bottomed Chessie Cherry Wheat Ale.

Better still were prominently coffee-roasted espresso-milked off-dry Imperial Mocha Stout, incomparable bourbon-barreled Wooden Hell Barleywine (a velvety digestif gathering butterscotch, bruised cherry, candied citrus and anise illusions), and bitterly coarse, white wine-tannic, oak-dried, cherry-tart, grape-soured, floral-wafted, Belgian-styled sensation De Wilde Zuidentrain Frambozenbier (a mouth puckering sour ale).

In 2011, long-time brewer Bryan Shimkos was replaced by Nick Barron, a graduate of the United Kingdom’s Institute of Brewing and Distilling program and former Smoky Mountain Brewery guiding light.

www.flossmoorstation.com

EMMETT’S ALE HOUSE

United States Brewpubs,

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS

Opened in 2004 in the heart of Downers Grove, EMMETT’S ALE HOUSE offered some of the same brews as the original Emmett’s Tavern & Brewing located 30 miles northwest in West Dundee, Illinois, July ‘05. By 2024, Emmett’s had locations in nearby West Dundee, Palatine, Downers Grove, and Wheaton. 

This high scale establishment featured American cuisine, spacious dining areas, and a central laminated formica wood bar with two televisions. A big screen TV in the back bar area keeps patrons entertained while a separate family-style dining area to the left proposed quieter environs.

Glass enclosed brew tanks at frontage serve off-dry wheat-husked Munich Light Helles Lager, lively banana-sweet clove-backed Hefeweizen and spicy yellow-fruited frisky-hopped serenity Dortmunder Export.

Experienced drinkers will enjoy medicinal rye-caramelized whiskey-fruited 1 A.M. Ale and leisurely dry-hopped, wood-burnt, coffee bean-roasted Dry Irish Stout, two of brewer Rob Hunter’s finest prizes.

Better still, sharp-fruited pine nut-influenced Victory Pale Ale and pine lacquered wood-smoked tangerine-berry-grapefruit-spiced Centennial Amber Ale will please mainstream customers as well as seasoned connoisseurs.

www.emmettsalehouse.com

LUNAR BREWING

United States Brewpubs,

Lunar Brewing Company | Villa Park, Illinois
VILLA PARK, ILLINOIS

July ’05 trip through Chi-town suburbs brought visitation to Elmhurst-based Sal’s Beverage World (a fantastic selection of American and international brews) and cozily rustic LUNAR BREWING in Villa Park.

Open since ’96, Lunar’s a tiny li’l hole in the wall with old wood carved bar, cherry-stained hardwood tables/booths, foosball tables, and a small stage area for Saturday evening performances. Its great bottled beer selection, inside antique coolers, included fab Belgian beers (Duvel/ Maudite/ Belzebuth) and some of America’s foremost microbrews.

Though only frozen pizzas and snacks are served in this Cubs-friendly neighborhood bar, its standard brews struck a chord.

Best bet was mildly spiced caramel nougat-like Nebula Nut Brown Ale, with its sweet almond, cocoa butter, honey nut and macadamia illusions reaching a tangible butterscotch finish.

Soft-watered banana-chipped clove-coriander-spiced Summer Solstice Belgian Wit, mild clay-hopped corn-grained Brabant Ale, gently red-orange-fruited Moonbeam Steam and smooth orange-apricot-grapefruit-induced Red Moon Rye-Sin Roggen Ale soothe lighter palates.

Sharp piney Cascade-hopped, lemony grapefruit-embittered Moondance IPA and sweet milk chocolate-y, cola-nutty, hop-toasted, rolled oats-backed Total Eclipse Oatmeal Stout will please more adventurous quaffers.

myspace.com/lunarbrewingco

TAYLOR BREWING

United States Brewpubs,

Taylor Brewing Company | Lombard, IL | Reviews | BeerAdvocate
LOMBARD, ILLINOIS

August ’04, visited spacious wood-furnished TAYLOR BREWING of Lombard. However, they closed down about eight years hence.

Taylor’s Honey Wheat best represented stylistic median, as its bittersweet raw honey density complemented soured yellow-fruited barley-backed Pure Pilsner.

Off-dry lemony-fizzed Poseidon Pale Ale and mildly crystal-malted Golden Diamond Ale were stylishly in line.

Rye-pumpernickel breading imbued yellow fruited moderation, Summerfest Ale; softly embittered toasted hops anchored wheat-husked Rusty Dog Amber Ale; roasted chestnuts suffused tea-like Nut Brown Ale; sweet caramel-maple permeated malt-honeyed Dark Satin Dunkel.

www.taylorbrewing.com

ROCK BOTTOM – WARRENVILLE

United States Brewpubs,

CHICAGO VICINITY, ILLINOIS

When I went to North Central College (1977-1980) in burgeoning suburb, Naperville, besides getting free press passes for White Sox games, I sucked down my share of sudsy Chi-town-related macrobrews such as Stroh’s and Old Style on campus and at historic tavern, the Lantern.

During ‘02/’03 June jaunts, quenched afternoon thirst at industrial-bound Lincoln Park’s premier oak-barred Goose Island Brewery (selection reviewed in Beer Index), then walked over to excellent spacious warehouse-styled store, Sam’s Liquors, buying trunk-load of Midwest faves plus a few overlooked international ales.

On recent trips to college towns’ Solo Liquors and Woodridge’s even better Select Wine & Liquors, found several fine brews from Goose Island and Two Brothers (Illinois); Wild Boar’s and 3 Floyd’s (Iowa); and Bell’s, Arcadia, and New Holland (Michigan).

In June ’03, discovered Warrenville’s ROCK BOTTOM brewpub and quaffed black cherry-fronted espresso-dried caramel-roasted Lumpy Dog Brown Ale, spruced citric Peashooter Pale Ale, dry peat-malted Irish whiskey-styled Terminal Stout and mossy English-styled fruit-hopped Ragtop Red Ale.

Before a Cubs game, ate lunch at Chi-town’s Irish Oak pub, then headed to Naperville afterwards to try Black & Tans at Quigley’s Irish Pub.

www.rockbottom.com

STARR HILL RESTAURANT & BREWERY

United States Brewpubs,

Starr Hill Beer Hall and Rooftop Opens in Scott's Addition | Short Order Blog

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

One-half mile North of South Street Brewery used to be Main Street’s STARR HILL RESTAURANT & BREWERY (until ’06). Its factory-like dining space and brick-walled bar area had Old World charm during December ’04 visit. The upstairs music hall booked many national acts, making this a doubly good find. Now, Starr Hill bottles its brews for local consumption at its present Crozet location and they’ve found a following all the way up the East Coast.

Like South Street Brewery, Starr Hill offered one ‘outsider’ brew sample, the spruce hop-embittered orange-tangy Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale.

Sourdough wheat-husked floral-spiced earthen-hopped Vienna-styled Mojo Lager, nut-breaded citric-bruised butternut-teased Amber Ale and mildly bitter pine-needled grapefruit-peeled sedation Pale Ale fit lightweights.

Caramel-malted coffee-roasted maraschino cherry-tinged Chocolate Porter and serene black chocolate centered, coffee-toffee-flurried, anise-currant-laced, Irish-styled Dark Starr Stout, though pleasantly medium-bodied, befit bolder thirsts.

www.starrhill.com

SOUTH STREET BREWERY

United States Brewpubs,

Image result for south street brewery Image result for south street brewery

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

Historic Virginian outpost in Blue Ridge Mountain foothills featured one snugly hotel pub, a quaint microbrew-selling coffeehouse and two decent brewpubs within walking distance on December ’04 trip.

Renovated hay-grain warehouse SOUTH STREET BREWERY has operated since ’98, serving handcrafted beers alongside Contemporary American, Continental, Creole, and Caribbean dishes. Old brick walls, hardwood floors, and central fireplace adorn spacious area, with brew tanks to the right behind bar.

Recommended elixirs are floral grapefruit rind/orange peel-centered Scotch-malted American-styled pale ale JP Ale, crisp orange-burnt banana-sweet clove-spiced Drunkel Weasel Bock and bold coffee bean-roasted mocha-dried cognac-finishing South Starr Chocolate Espresso Imperial Porter (made in conjunction with nearby Starr Hill brewmaster).

Other worthy choices included subdued perfume-hopped Satan’s Pony Amber Ale, cherry-rimmed caramel-coated English-styled Absolution Ale and dry-bodied soft-watered black cherry-lingered coffee-stained Irish-styled Special Stout.

Interestingly, Old Dominion Lager, a dryly hop-tingled quince-tinged grain-languid Budweiser substitute from esteemed Ashburn-based brewery, was submitted for sampling as well.

Though neighboring Starr Hill left the brewpub biz to become a microbrewery, I revisited the still-thriving red-bricked black-lettered South Street Brewery, July ’09. Manager Kirt Strother provided updated samples of caramelized floral-hopped apricot-pear-apple-fruited currant-juniper-nipped JP Ale and musty red-fruited cocoa-malted barley-roasted Satan’s Pony Amber Ale.

Newly tried libations from brewer Jacque Landry included corn-husked wheat-dried pumpernickel-soured green-hopped Pilsner, bold perfume-hopped cream-corned lemony grapefruit-embittered Liberation Lager and soft banana-honeyed clove-coriander-spiced lemon-candied El Jefe’s Hefeweizen.

Better still were velvety coffee-beaned caramel-malted almond-hazelnut-sweetened peanut-shelled Nut Brown and lactic milk chocolate-y hop-roasted Old 420 Stout (with its spirited coffee ice cream, cherry puree, sugared fig, butter pecan, and licorice niceties).  Before heading West to Harrisonburg, downed Cask Conditioned JP Ale, a softer yellow-fruited variant.

www.southstreetbrewery.com

Located near the original red brick-adorned buildings Thomas Jefferson designed for University of Virginia, cozy, low-ceilinged Court Square Tavern may not be as celebrated as freestanding mountaintop Monticello-based Michie Tavern, but its great bottled selection (Allgauer Teutsch Pils and Victory Hop Wollop Ale), antique wood décor, caricature portraits, and homestyle sandwiches are worth checking out. As for Gravity Lounge, this below-street-level art-salon-performance space specializes in respected international and U.S. microbrews and offers acoustic concert performances.

SOUTH END BREWERY

United States Brewpubs,

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Just outside Charlotte’s metropolis in South End section, SOUTH END BREWERY & SMOKEHOUSE was stationed in an enormous tan building with maroon trim – but closed by 2008. Other chain locations are in Raleigh, Charleston, and Jacksonville.

On July ’06 visitation, the scent of hickory hit my family as soon as we sauntered into the large interior space. Large screen TV’s lined right side non-smoking area while left side bar area led to outside deck and glass-encased brew tanks were centrally located. Expansive menu included smoked meats alongside seafood (grouper/ yellow fin tuna/ crab cakes) and plentiful bar selection featured cognacs, single malt Scotches, bourbons, vodkas, and martinis.

Steam pipe-laden wood trays served maize-soured horsehide-leathered hay-musty raw-grained dry body South End Blonde Light, buttery clay-hopped citric-deficient wheat-dried South End Blonde Ale, brittle lemon-candied sweet-salty conflux Ironman Wheat, sour orange-peach-fig-swayed Olmstead Red and gently hop-prickled grapefruit-lemon-floral embittered Motorman’s Pale Ale.

Better and darker were chocolate malt-dominant Chinook-Fuggle-hopped cocoa-buttered sedation Banktown Brown, dry walnut-hazelnut-dabbed cherry chocolate-y India Brown Ale and sweet hazelnut-chocolate-espresso confection O’Ryan’s Oatmeal Stout.

ROY PITZ BREWING COMPANY (LIQUID ART)

United States Brewpubs, ,

Liquid Art Barrel House
CHAMBERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Right above the Maryland border just east of West Virginia lies this sleepy rural getaway. Visited December ’08, ROY PITZ BREWING COMPANY / LIQUID ARTS (2008-2023) began serving growlers and kegs to its countrified vicinity only six months hence. Using locally grown produce to craft his beers, brewmaster Ryan Richards joined partner Jesse Rotz as we quaffed an IPA, an Amber Ale hybrid, a crossover concoction and a German-styled moderation.

Since 2008, the team at Liquid Art Brewing Company has been crafting quality beers and experiences – originally as Roy Pitz. “Liquid Art is an expression of artistry that goes into brewing classic and fringe styles of local beer.”

Mellow-hopped grapefruit, orange peel, and lemon zest ripostes the sweetly soured banana-clove-coriander subsidiary of White Horse Hefeweizen.

Lighter smoked beer version, Ludwig’s Revenge Rauchbier, wedged black-peppered salami and beechwood-hickory singe into stove-burnt coffee oiliness, barley-roasted nuttiness and ashen chocolate shavings.

Truly Honest Amber Ale could be mistaken for a robust IPA with its woody Cascade-hopped grapefruit peel bittering, lemon pith souring and peach-apple tang concealing crystal caramel malts.

Daddy Fat Sacks Imperial IPA wed a spicy caramel-malted peach-pear-apple posy and sour raisin respite to piney grapefruit rind bittering, but lacked woody expectancy.

www.roypitz.com