Category: News and Press

Elmhurst Brewing Company launches 200th batch of beer in a massive heated tent

Michelle Krueger Leave a comment

Elmhurst, IL: Almost three years ago when Elmhurst Brewing Company (EBC) opened, nobody could have predicted that 2020 would be such an adventurous year. Constantly adapting to a fast-changing environment, EBC owners Pete Dolan and Frazer Donaldson are using creative ideas to keep customers engaged and offer them a warm, safe, and relaxing environment. 

EBC’s latest creation is a massive 30’x60’ heated tent (one of the largest heated beer gardens in the Western suburbs). Although temperatures are dropping, customers can still enjoy great beer and food and be assured all Covid safety measures are followed. EBC staff wear masks at all times, wash their hands frequently, and all tables, as well as doors are sanitized after each guest.  

“Despite overall sales being down quite a bit, we’ve been very encouraged by our regulars, and by many new faces, all visiting us for our wide variety of craft beers, and our many from-scratch appetizers and entrees, made fresh daily”, says owner Frazer Donaldson. 

To celebrate their 200th craft beer launch and almost three years in business Cam Horn, EBC’s Beer Master and Craft Beer Innovator, created this amazingly juicy, double IPA using 200 pounds of peaches and apricots and hopped with Azacca, Idaho 7, and Trident. This beer is tropical, fruity, and citrusy, and just what you need as we head into the cold winter months. This new beer is called “Moving to the Country” and captures all the summer flavors you love.  It pairs perfectly with Elmhurst Brewing Company’s favorite seafood or spicy dishes like the Mojo Shrimp Tacos or Spicy Pork Fried Rice.

In early October EBC launched its Growler Club, offering fans the opportunity to enjoy 64oz of their fresh beer each week, in a custom stainless steel logo growler. All growlers are thoroughly sanitized before being refilled. 

The typical Elmhurst Brewing Company line-up includes a Helles Lager, a Pilsener, an APA, and IPA, two Hazy IPA’s, a pastry stout, a golden coffee stout, a sour option, and a variety of fruited sours. So many options, perfect pairings for some of EBC’s favorites: Moules-Frites, Beer-Cheese & Pretzels, EBC Chili, or the homemade Bratwurst Sandwich. 

If you want to taste the “Moving to the Country” with a delicious meal and take a piece of EBC home with you from their new cool swag store (holiday gifts anyone?), visit Elmhurst Brewing Company at 171 N Addison Ave in Elmhurst. Reservations are required for all diners. Curbside pickup and delivery are available for those customers who prefer to enjoy our delicious food and amazing beer in the comfort of home. 

About Elmhurst Brewing Company 

Elmhurst Brewing Company (Elmhurst, IL) was created to meet the rapidly-growing demand for local, high-quality craft beer, and became a preferred destination for both families and craft beer drinkers to eat, drink and socialize within their community. 

For more information please visit Elmhurst Brewing Company website, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.   

EBC hosts local charity Hops for Humanity

Frazer

No Frills Fun Run wins the nights’ donation total

First, our No Frills 2018 season, All for the Greves, has officially closed. And the GRAND TOTAL?

$84,450! Isn’t that just amazing? You all did it. We adore the Greves and look forward to seeing them at our 2019 events. Julie, Alexis, Paige, and Lyla…we love you and feel blessed to have you in our No Frills Family.

Speaking of 2019…this is awesome…keep reading. So, there is this awesome group called Hops for Humanity, started by Patrick and Julie Sheehan in 2014. They love two things: good craft beers, and fundraising (two of our favorite things on the planet.) HFH has 100 members who meet quarterly to drink good beer, and each member brings $100. At the meeting there is a “Fishbowl”, and members are allowed to write the name of a charity near and dear to their hearts and drop it in. Three charities are selected, and the person who wrote those particular charities down get to pitch it, and it goes to a vote. (I think you know where this is headed…but stick with me, kid….)

So, Pete Dolan of EBC is a member of HFH and a huge fan of No Frills and our grassroots mission. Well..he did it. No Frills was picked, he pitched it and WON!!! You know what this means? $9,000 ready and waiting for our 2019 Beneficiary family selected in mid November. $9,000 just waiting for them. Our hearts are bursting. Hops For Humanity, Elmhurst Brewing Co., all HFH members…we can’t begin to express our gratitude.

Originally posted on Facebook by Kristen Morrow.

The ETown LowDown visits Elmhurst Brewing Company

Frazer

Podcast from ETown LowDown: Original Link April 19,2018

The LowDown crew visits the Elmhurst Brewing Company with a fun bunch of “LowDown Loonies” and interviews founders and owners Frazer Donaldson and Pete Dolan. Head Chef Jason Kurosaki and Brewmaster Cam Horn join the guys to share their passion for food and craft beer. Frazer, Pete and Cam take on the MowDown. PK introduces another edition of “One Ponce a Time”, educating listeners on a bit of Elmhurst brewing history.

Elmhurst Brewing Co. Will Debut First Official “Pours” at Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest

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ELMHURST, Illinois; Sept. 13, 2017 — Elmhurst Brewing Company is pleased to announce it will officially debut its first two beers – a classic, German-style Kolsch and a “hazy” red India Pale Ale – at the Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest on Saturday, Sept. 16.

The beers are the handiwork of Head Brewer Cam Horn, who joined Elmhurst Brewing in August from Franconia Brewing Co., a German-style brewery near Dallas. Cam, along with Elmhurst Brewing owners, Frazer Donaldson and Pete Dolan, will be on hand at the Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest and look forward to offering guests early samples from their microbrewery, scheduled to open in mid-November at 171 N. Addison Ave.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the Fest again this year, and even more so, introduce Cam to our community,” said Frazer and Pete. “It will be an honor to serve our first brews in the company of so many outstanding Chicago-area micros. It’s sure to be a great day for the beer-lovers of Elmhurst.”

The Elmhust Craft Beer Fest, now in its third year, will feature beers and ciders from about 30 Chicago-area brewers, as well as live musical performances (general admission is 1-5 p.m. on the Elmhurst History Museum Grounds, 120 East Park Ave, Elmhurst).

Elmhurst Brewing’s first two pours draw from Cam’s extensive experience in German-influenced beer making, and also offer a few tasty twists. The Kolsch is brewed with 100-percent Pilsner malt and a variety of American hops (including Sterling and Mount Hood), with a hint of lemon and floral characteristics.

The red IPA includes a large number of citrus hop varieties (thrown in at the end of boil and at the “dry hop”), giving it a strong hop character without too much bitterness; other ingredients include English pale malt, German Munich malt and wheat.

Elmhurst Brewing will also have a large table at the Craft Beer Fest where branded hats, t-shirts and tin tacker wall hangings will be available for purchase. Cam, Frazer and Pete encourage everyone to lift a glass with them at the Fest Saturday. Stay apprised by following Elmhurst Brewing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@ElmhurstBrewing).

For more information, contact Pete@elmhurstbrewing.com or Frazer@elmhurstbrewing.com; for interview requests, contact bruceblythe7@gmail.com.

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Introducing Cam Horn, Elmhurst Brewing Co.’s New Brewmaster & Craft Beer Innovator

Frazer

ELMHURST, Illinois; July 5, 2017 — Horn, 33, joins Elmhurst Brewing from Franconia Brewing Co., a German-style brewery in the Dallas suburb of McKinney, Texas. Horn became head brewer at Franconia in 2010, where he worked under a fourth-generation brewer who emigrated from Germany. Long before he joined Franconia, Horn was tinkering away at home with a brewing system he built himself in 2005.
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Elmhurst Brewing Co. Secures Building Permit, Eyes Grand Opening by Late Summer/Early Fall

Frazer

ELMHURST, IL; April 13, 2017 — Elmhurst Brewing Company is pleased to announce that construction is officially underway on a unique, family-friendly entrant to Chicagoland’s
burgeoning craft beer scene.

On April 11, the city of Elmhurst formally approved Elmhurst Brewing’s building permit, allowing
EBC partners, Pete Dolan and Frazer Donaldson, to break ground at their Addison Avenue location, in the heart of the western suburb’s vibrant downtown.

By late-summer or early fall 2017, Dolan and Donaldson expect to officially open their doors at
171 N. Addison Ave. They invite the people of Elmhurst and elsewhere to sample their ales,
lagers and other varieties brewed on-site, and enjoy lunch or dinner – inside, or out in the fresh air of a 3,000-square-foot beer garden.

“We couldn’t be more excited at achieving this important step,” Donaldson said. “With
permit in hand, we look forward to watching our brewpub take shape in the months ahead and, ultimately, serving the beer-lovers of our community and their families.”

Why a brewpub here, in Elmhurst?

The Chicago area is already home to many world-class microbreweries and a growing and
discerning population of beer-lovers eager to challenge their taste buds beyond what the massmarket brands have to offer. According to the Brewers Association, the Chicago region ranks second in the country (next to Portland, Oregon) in number of microbreweries. Chicago is also home to the Siebel Institute of Technology, a technical school dedicated to brewing science.

Elmhurst Brewing will build on that tradition while putting its own personal stamp on the
business. To that end, Elmhurst Brewing will feature:

  • A 15-barrel brewhouse “behind glass,” allowing patrons to watch the brewmaster
    at work;
  • Full-service kitchen offering a diverse menu for both adults and kids;
  • Kids’ area with games and toys;
  • Private event spaces, including a 48-person mezzanine suite/lounge;
  • Convenient location a five- to 10-minute walk away for many Elmhurst residents
    and two blocks north of the local Metra station, with ample street and garage
    parking nearby.

Elmhurst Brewing will offer 12 varieties on tap (plus a selection of wine and craft spirits) that can be enjoyed on the premises or “to-go,” in 64-ounce glass “growlers” or 32-ounce “crowlers” (large cans sealed while-you-wait). Additionally, Elmhurst Brewing “Mug Club” members will enjoy exclusive access to a “13th tap” pouring a special, rotating beer.

How to stay apprised of Elmhurst Brewing’s progress? Follow along on Facebook, Twitter
(@ElmhurstBrewing) and LinkedIn, and while you’re at it, sign up for email updates at
ElmhurstBrewing.com. Meantime, Elmhurst Brewing hats, t-shirts and other gear are available
for purchase on the website (under “shop”).

Pete and Frazer look forward to lifting a glass with you soon!

For more information, contact info@elmhurstbrewing.com for interview requests, contact bruceblythe7@gmail.com.