"So let me get this straight, you're a bartender here and today is your day off and here you are, sitting on a bar stool drinking the beer. This place must either have a selection of really good beer, one heck of an employee discount or such a great feel that you just can't stay away.....even on your day off!"
Brad and I found our way to this friendly brewery called the Skeleton Key located in a very large multi purpose building right off of Lemont Road in Woodridge, Illinois. Brad pulled the sweet ride into a parking spot and we headed towards the door. I pull out the phone ready to take the front door shot and my phone locked up. One patron comes out the door and says, "the food truck didn't show up". Brad and I are looking at the phone as it powers back up and Brad says, "you know, nature's calling!" So we get the front door shot, it's a little dark but you can see Brads got the hurry up look on his face. Once inside Brad locates the little boys room but it's locked because someone is using it.
I leave Brad as he's pacing back and forth and I realize this place is huge. Looks like 100 ft wide and at least 300 ft deep. The front area, which is separated by a partial wall, has tables where people are sitting eating pizza and drinking beer....go figure! As you walk back towards the center of the building the crowd noise starts to pick up and you enter into the bar where there's a shuffle board and hangin' out area where 30-40 people are all having a great time. And as you look further over a 3 ft separation wall you're looking right at the production area with the tanks and all the good stuff. Nice job Skeleton Key with the layout......clean, organized and user friendly.
I do my bar walk looking for empty stools. Yes indeedy there they are, two stools at the end of the bar but separated with an occupied stool between them....."would you mind scooting down a stool", "no problem", "thank you very much"......we're golden!! Once again Hoppin Brewery Tour is front and off center! Got to luv it! Brad strolls in with a smile on his face, claims his real estate for the next hour, we share the appreciative head nod with smile and we start soaking it all in. Big space, the front eating area has a lowered ceiling but the bar and production area takes advantage of the tall 25 ft. ceiling which gives it that NYC loft, warehousey feel......very nice!
We have date night to the right of Brad which is normally a dead end as far as starting up a conversation. But to the left we have my new buddy Ryan and to the left of him we have Walter who's the Skeleton Key bartender who's here on his day off enjoying the brews!! Emily from behind the bar is on us. We do the Hoppin' Brewery Tour introductions and Emily welcomes us to the Skeleton Key. Now Emily is co owner along with husband Paul and her brother John. Emily does strategy and stuff, Paul is taproom director and John is Head Brewer. But when push comes to shove they all do what it takes to get the job done! Both Brad and I being entrepreneurs can really appreciate when we see a start up like this, because we know you put your heart and soul and always a good chunk of change into the business. Skeleton Key has been open for 3 1/2 months and from the looks of the smiles, the laughter and the energy.....Emily/Paul/John are doing a lot of things right!!
We both order flights that come in a cool little wood box with a chalk board on the side to label the brews. We both had the Friends Don't Lie - American Pale Ale (5.1%, 37 IBU) intense notes of citrus and grapefruit, mildly bitter and incredibly drinkable. Also the Trouble Won't Trouble You - Black IPA (7.1%, 77 IBU) Amarillo-hopped dark ale with a citrusy bitterness and moderately roasty flavor.
Ryan plays bass in a Punk Rock Band called Witchfeet. This catches Brad's attention, being a music connoisseur. "Ryan, you ever hear of the band Mr. Blotto? You know they're playing in Berwyn tonight @ 9:00. How far is Berwyn from here and what time is it?" Brad introduced me to Mr. Blotto last summer at Naper Nights in Naperville IL. They are a jam band that gets the crowd going. I felt like I was in college again as we made our way to the stage along with 150 of our closest friends. Brad knows all the band members and has been to 172 of their concerts. Can we make it 173?
As I sipped my Space Plans - "B" IPA (5.6%, 74 IBU) a crisp, clean American Style IPA that's dry hopped with Cascade, Centennial and Chinook hops and we talk with Ryan and Walter about movies, music and politics, I start to catch the Skeleton Key bug that's very contagious. Emily, Paul and John, you got something here! Continue on your quest and I hope the skeleton key opens many doors for you in the future.
Well until next time, and remember.......
Go get'cha one!!
