Brewery Visit: Church Street in Itasca, IL

A hidden gem stuck in the back of an industrial park in Itasca we have discovered Church Street Brewing. Originally named for the street in Itasca planned for the brewery, these guys instead do it all here, offering a variety of beers available for sale in local liquor stores or there at the brewery by the growler or 6 pack too.

We were drawn here by others who had visited and mentioned just how small and serviceable the place was: it is simply the front of the industrial space that houses the brewery where about 6 tall tables with chairs are located. Their beer is served and sold in pint glasses or tulips, depending on the ABV, and nothing else. No food, no other beer or liquor.

The hours have been expanding lately but originally were only Friday from 4-7 PM. Now you can visit on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays too. The brewers and employees are around, as well as the owners. We sat and enjoyed a pint with co-owner Lisa Gregor, who talked about the brewery and explained the decoction process to us, which is unique to American brewers.

Their beer covers a variety of tastes, but remain the classic European styles: their flagship, Heavenly Helles, is a bolder flavored beer that uses, like all its beers, European ingredients, yet stands at 5.4% ABV. Also offered are its two IPAs: Brimstone and Fire, they offer a milder Continental Lager, and, continuing with its religious sounding theme in beer names, Heretic Heffeweizen.

My favorites personally are a regular offering, Tales of the Shony Scottish Ale and last winter's seasonal big hit: Pontificator Doppelbock. Both sweeter, carmel, and very little hops, but the
Pontificator packing a big punch with its 7%. 

New label for this winter

Its worth it to stop by the brewery. If you don't have a Church Street growler buy one of theirs or bring in one from a different brewer and they will swap it out for one of theirs (Illinois law). But they have quite an impressive display of all the other brewer's growlers lining the shelves too. I still see my Lakefront Winter one I traded in last year.