1115 Zygmunt Circle, Westmont, IL 60559   phone: (630)442-7864   website: MythsAndLegendsBeer.com
Taproom Hours: ~Tue, Wed, Thur 5p-10p ~Friday 3p - 12a ~Saturday 12p - 12a ~Sunday 12p - 8p

Experience before you go . . .

"Brad, are you as tired of Christmas cookies and leftovers as I am?" "Yes I am!" "Are you up for another brewery tour?" "Yes I am". "Brad, I'll pick you up at noon, noon:15!" "Sounds good, see you then."

We're off and heading to our 7th tour. I'm driving what I call my utility vehicle: 2011 Chevy Cruze Eco model that I bought new and have 82,000 miles on it and get this.....the original tires!! This car gets 43 mpg, has a 6-speed manual tranny, 4 cylinder turbo and just goes and goes and goes!!! I love this little car and it's also got some giddy up! Alright already, enough about cars......I know, I know another boomer who like cars!! So Brad eases into my Cruze and as always I'm looking up at him and he proceeds to tell me he wears a size 52 coat!! If we weren't so old, I believe we'd have a pretty good football team with me running and Brad clearing the way.......touchdown every time baby, every time!! Brad asks, "where we going?" I say "it's a surprise." Brad says "cool!"

Every one of these tours has been an adventure and this one is no exception!! As always were driving and cutting it up with each other. Brad and I get along pretty well and hopefully I'm not talking out the side of my neck but I enjoy his company and I believe he enjoys mine!! Just like Bogart says to Louis at the tail end of the movie Casablanca, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship!" So I only missed the final turn once and we had to go around the block and Brad and I both agreed, what'd we do before GPS.....maps and writing down directions!!

So here we are in a small industrial park and I pull up in front of Myths and Legends. The only problem is that it looks a little dark in the brewery and the only cars parked there are cars being worked on by the mechanic next door.......ever get that sinking feeling!! Well we both went to the door and yes the darn thing was locked!! I took the patented "old guys out front picture" as Brad added, " well some tour stops don't go as planned........you got that right!!

Back in the car we go and I'm in full save the day mode and go directly to my "Around Me" app and enter "Brewery". Boom.....3-4 breweries in a 6 mile radius!! I called 2 of them and one didn't answer and the other one answered and said we open at 3:00. Makes sense, and not our first encounter with the true Tap Room opening up after 3:00, and sometimes later. I look up and see some movement inside Myths and Legends, a guy with a dolly moving cases of brews. Idea.....knock on door and see what comes of it. Well the nice guy opened up, I introduced myself, Clyde with Brad and Clyde's Hoppin' Brewery Tour and he let us in!!!

Dan, the Myth and Legends Master Brewer and as far as Brad and I are concerned ......"Dan The Man with The Plan"!!!!! Way cool for Dan to open his doors and allow us to sit and "Do the Tour"!! Both Brad and I started out with the Imperial IPA, Kaiju Series Vol. VIII - "King Ghidora" but because of same day trade-name challenges, theirs is called "Attack of the Mammoth" (ABV 8.8%, IBU 94) a full favored hop bomb monster giving it up for the holidays.

Right then, in walks Shannon and her son Gavin. Come to find out that Shannon is one of the owners and she's carrying a big plate of Christmas cookies......oh boy!!! Well I got to tell you, this place is over flowing with really nice people. There we sat, ordering our second round and learning all about Myths and Legends and the brewery bidness in general. Dan told us that there have been 200 breweries nationwide that opened up this year......Brad and I have our work cut out for us!!! Myths and Legends has been open for 3 1/2 years and by the looks of it have had consistent growth and an increased following. Talked a little bit about their labels and Shannon said they had an illustrator who they give 500 words to describe the beer and he designs the label........picture is literally worth 500 words.

Our second round I enjoyed "Catherine the Great" - Imperial IPA (ABV 8.1%, IBU 74) exceptionally well-balanced IPA, golden colored medium body "Imperialistic" IPA starts with massive grapefruit, continues with smooth malt backbone with a big punch of citrus and grapefruit zest. Brad nailed it with "The Creature" - Black IPA (ABV 8.5%, IBU 85) earned 3rd place at the 2014 Midwest Brewers Festival......starts with a cascading tan head and an effervescent nose of pine and earth followed by robust hop goodness and finishing with a resinous dryness that leaves you wanting more!!

At this point, Shannon gave us the nickel tour. The storage room, the rentable party area with homemade Jinga, darts and other games........the place had a lot of heart!! We finished off with Brad tackling the "Cold War" - Russian Imperial Stout (ABV 11.5%) Once every winter here comes the Cold War........rich, dark and luscious with a smoothness you don't expect - coffee, chocolate and figs with a malty sweetness finish. I ended with "The King's Tree" (ABV 8.8%, IBU 41.1) imperial stout brewed with coffee and a blend of 5 different malts, a complex base to offset the hop bitterness and lactose sweetness because we all like a little cream in our coffee.

Then, in walks Bob, loyal Myths and Legends customer who loves beer, fishing and touring breweries. Bob will be a future tour guest of ours because he knows beer and appears to be a pretty darn nice guy.

Bye Shannon, Dan, Gavin and Bob......thanks for your hospitality!!! Make a stop at Myths and Legends and let the cozy taproom with all the friendly folks make you feel like family home for the holidays.

Until next time and remember......

Go get'cha one!!!!