🍺 Batavia welcomes new “Brewstillery” 🥃 

Grainology Brewstillery — a new craft brewery, distillery and tasting room — will officially open its doors in Batavia on November 22. And in true Black Wednesday fashion, it doesn’t appear to be a “soft” opening.

They’ve got a big night planned.

Batavia-based DAMO BBQ food truck will be in the house (incidentally, I tried their Loaded Mac & Wow last weekend, incredible), and the local suburban band Completely Dead will be setting the vibe with live music.

To hear Grainology describe it in their announcement on Facebook, Wednesday will mark the culmination of “years of planning, meetings, designing, changing plans, countless hours of work, help from others, frustrations, laughter, unexpected surprises both good and bad, being told no, yes, and maybe.”

The road to opening day

Batavia City Council approved a conditional use permit for co-owners Michael Read said Jason Kelly back in June, which paved the way for them to repurpose the vacant space at 131 Flinn Street near Clark Island.

With an expansive interior of more than 9,000 square feet and a convenient location on the edge of downtown, the brewstillery seems well-positioned for success. Sturdy Shelter Brewing, a five-minute walk up Shumway Ave., opened just over a year ago and remains wildly popular.

And in the friendly, cooperative spirit that’s typical of the local Tri-Cities brewing community, the two breweries already released a collaboration beer back in September.

Is this the start of Batavia’s own community hub for craft beer, akin to Chicago’s malt row? Only time will tell. Planning documents do show an outdoor patio seating area in the works for Grainology, which I suspect will be a huge hit during the warmer weather months.

It’s also cool to see that they’re breathing new life into a historic local building. Built in 1902, the building initially housed the U.S. Wind Engine & Pump Company foundry, which manufactured windmills, feed pumps and railroad fixtures — and later armaments and supplies for the U.S. military during World War II.

Today, the structure’s story continues to unfold, adding brewery, distillery and community gathering place to the list of roles it’s played over the decades.

As a local brewery enthusiast who enjoyed all my interactions with Jason (one of the co-founders) during his time at D and G Brewing in St. Charles, it’s been fun for me to watch Grainology’s progress updates via their social media channels during the past several weeks.

But seeing the space and trying the beer? That’s what I’m truly excited about.

📰 News to use

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🔒 Fixer upper: Under an agreement recommended by city officials, the boarded-up building that previously housed Little Owl and Flagstone at the corner of Routes 31 and 38 in Geneva is one step closer to rebirth as a new Tapville Social location. The agreement includes a grant and sales tax rebate that would assist the new owners in completing renovations.

☑️ Fossil fuel alternatives: For the first time in over 35 years, lawmakers (in a bipartisan effort) have paved the way for new, small-scale nuclear reactors to be constructed in Illinois.

🔒 Future funding: A proposed 3% property tax increase will be presented for approval at the 12/4 St. Charles City Council meeting following a public hearing on the topic.

🔒 Wily whitetails: Not only is it dark for nearly 15 hours a day in December, but it’s breeding season for deer — a recipe for extra vigilance on the roads over the next several weeks.

🏘️ In the community

☑️ Native species: Buffalo called the Tri-Cities area home long before we did, so it’s awesome to see that Kane County plans to start construction on a small bison enclosure at Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve in 2024.

☑️ Revenge spot: The Batavia Bulldogs look to keep the momentum going at 4PM on Saturday at Mount Carmel High School in the 7A state semifinal game (a rematch of last year’s championship game). You can watch it on CW26 as the Game of the Week.

☑️ Migrating market: Keep eating fresh and supporting local all winter long at the St. Charles Indoor Market, which is now open from 9AM to noon on Fridays at Baker Memorial Church.

☑️ Culinary delights: Fox Valley Magazine’s featured dishes for November include a brunch sandwich from The Graceful Ordinary plus creations from Ella’s Italian Pub, Gia Mia and Urban Counter.

☑️ Local charity: Looking for ways to help others in need this holiday season? One option is dropping off lightly used gear at this St. Charles Coat Drive between 10AM-1PM on Sunday.

🏬 Local biz

☑️ A breath of fresh noodles: Ugly Noodle, a new vegan pasta deli with an interesting backstory, is set to celebrate its grand opening in Geneva on December 1.

☑️ Studio space: Newly minted after its 11/10 grand opening in the heart of downtown Geneva, 123 on Third offers a unique, stylish venue for pop-ups, events or corporate outings.

🎈 Special events

Saturday

🎟️ Canines & creatives: Take your pick (or double dip!) from two Saturday-Sunday events at the Kane County Fairgrounds — the Fox Valley Dog Show or Christmas on the Fox Art & Craft Show.

Sunday

🎟️ State Street Artisan Market: In partnership with the Streetz Artz Alliance, Art History Brewing is hosting 15+ local artists who will be showing off their handcrafted wares in their friendly space from 12-5PM.

🎟️ Drawn Together 2023: Beech Tree Studio is showcasing the colored pencil artwork created by dozens of adult artists at a 4PM event that features live music from Jacqueline Vale and a cash bar.

🎸 Live music

*Below are “listed” start/end times — actual play times tend to vary. The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee. Links to band/event info are provided where available.

Thursday (11/16) ⬇️

✔️ Riley Bros Duo: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 4-7PM | Band info

✔️ Barrelhouse Blend: Emerald Acres | Virgil | 5-11PM | Event info

✔️ Matt Kopecky: Preservation | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info + video

✔️ Open Jam w/ Sam Wyatt: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 7-11PM

✔️ Backdrop Band (Live Band Karaoke): EvenFlow | Geneva | 7-11PM

🎟️ Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti: Arcada Theater | St. Charles | 7:30PM | Event info

✔️ Christian Hansen: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9-12PM | Musician info

Friday (11/17) ⬇️

✔️ Frankie Smiles: Geneva Winery Bistro & Wine Bar | Geneva | 5-8PM | Musician info 

✔️ Doc Elliot: The Wine Exchange | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Event info

✔️ Nicole Devine: Eden on the River | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Musician info

✔️ Grant Milliren: Riverlands Brewing | St. Charles | 6-8PM | Event info

✔️ One Man Jam: The Hive | St. Charles | 6:30-9:30PM

✔️ Magoo: Preservation | Geneva | 6:30-10PM | Event info + video

✔️ Gregory Hyde: Foxfire | Geneva | 7-10PM | Musician info

🎟️ Pino Farina Band: EvenFlow | Geneva | 7PM | Band info

✔️ Tom Linsk: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ Skip Griparis: Moonlight Theater | St. Charles | 7:30-9:30PM | Event info

🎟️ Chano & Friends: Hunt House Creative Arts Center | St. Charles | 8-10PM | Event info

✔️ Rockin’ Mockstar Karaoke: Tanna Tap | Geneva | 8-11PM | Event info

✔️ Murley: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 8:30-10:30PM | Band info

✔️ Joe Cantafio: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM | Musician info

🎟️ Rockabilly Nite with Jonny Lyons & The Pride: Club Arcada | St. Charles | 8:30PM | Event info 

✔️ Chad Watson: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 9-11PM | Event info

✔️ CJ CK: Evergreen Pub | St. Charles | 9:30PM-2AM

✔️ John Till: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9:30PM-2AM | Musician info

Saturday (11/18) ⬇️

✔️ Terry Byrne: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 2-5PM | Musician info

✔️ Cheryl Rodey: Art History Brewing | Geneva | 5-9PM | Musician info

✔️ Steve Petrovich: Geneva Winery Bistro & Wine Bar | Geneva | 5-8PM | Musician info

✔️ Christian Alan Hansen: Riverlands Brewing | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Event info

✔️ Matt Keen: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Musician info

✔️ Stephen Bores: Preservation | Geneva | 6:30-10PM | Event info + vidoe

✔️ Mario Dueñas Electric Trio: Eden on the River | St. Charles | 6:30-9:30PM | Musician info

✔️ Paul Abella Jazz Trio: Foxfire | Geneva | 7-10PM | Band info

✔️ Johnny Burnett: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info

✔️ Miss Behavin: Tanna Tap | Geneva | 8-11PM | Event info

🎟️ Orianthi, Brother Cane and Stone Horses: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 8PM | Event info 

✔️ Wildwood Country: Evergreen Pub | St. Charles | 8PM | Event info

✔️ Downtown Charlie Brown: The Hive | St. Charles | 8:30-11:30PM | Band info

✔️ Stan P Band: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 8:30-10:30PM | Band info

✔️ Raleigh Tuckers: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM | Band info

🎟️ Dance Party w/ Diva Montell: Club Arcada | St. Charles | 8:30PM | Event info 

✔️ Ian Leith: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 9-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ This End Up: EvenFlow | Geneva | 9PM | Band info

✔️ Noah Gabriel: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9:30PM-2AM | Musician info

Sunday (11/19) ⬇️

✔️ Steel Drums (Island getaway party): Preservation | Geneva | 1-4PM | Event info

🎟️ The Kristin Rose Kelly Band: Moonlight Theatre | St. Charles | 4-7PM | Event info 

✔️ Blue Grass Sunday: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 4-7PM | Event info

✔️ Brian Allison: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 4-7PM | Musician info

🌖 Weather snapshot

🌥️ Today: High 65F | Low 43F | Last call for 60s!

🌤️ Friday: High 47F | Low 24F | Seasonal + nice

☀️ Saturday: High 51F | Low 30F | Ideal fall Saturday

🌤️ Sunday: High 54F | Low 35F | This month is a gift

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Sam 

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