As a sommelier, I am constantly asked what I like to drink.
—beer.
Grapes are my passion, beer is my bibulous hobby. I relentlessly ponder wine as a fermented philosophical puzzle and I need a break sometimes. And, I am thrilled that production brewing has returned to Naperville.
Solemn Oath Brewery has opened its doors in Naperville by a pair of brothers with a last name oath-ly fitted for brewing. Joe and John Barley, with head brewer Tim Marshall have spent the last 18 months building the new Brewery.
The Brewery is Naperville’s first production brewery since Stenger Brewery which closed its doors many decades ago. A. Coors learned his craft at Stenger Brewery before heading west to the Rockies. His salary as head brewer in 1871 was $741.25.
The Brewery has opened a tasting room which is located in an industrial park just off Quincy and Ogden behind the Cadillac Dealership. The tasting room is open Thurs-Sun and sells 64oz growlers of the latest seasonal brew that can be taken home for enjoyment. The beer will also be poured on draft at local restaurants and bars.
One of the brewery’s first releases is called Khlöros, a light bodied Belgian white ale, is strategically seasoned with orange and lemon peel. It’s the perfect summertime sipping beer, light and refreshing. It pairs well with grilled vegetables, fish, and I recently enjoyed it with chicken marinated in lemon and garlic and then pan seared with olive oil.
For something rich and hoppy, perfect for a deep dish pepperoni pizza from Lou Malnati’s, Ultrahigh-Frequency American Red Ale has good toasty caramel notes with assertive citric American hops.
Visit often! The beer is impeccably fresh, patrons can observe how beer is made, and the free smells definitely warrant a visit.
For more information visit solemnoathbrewery.com.
