FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alice George 847.687.0099 (cell) 847.959.9051 (brewery) alice@sketchbookbrewing.com
Sketchbook Moves Street-side
Sketchbook Brewing Company Tap Room Opening April 15
EVANSTON, IL (April 12, 2016) –Sketchbook Brewing Company’s new Tap Room, located at 821 Chicago Avenue, will open to the public at noon on April 15. Full and half-pints will be poured in an intimate setting outfitted with a variety of vintage and reclaimed materials. This space represents an important expansion for the 18-month-old Evanston community-supported brewery. Retail sales and beer tastings were formerly operated out of their nearby alley location.
The new Sketchbook Brewing Company Tap Room will serve a wide range of Sketchbook brews. Expanded hours of operation are Tuesday-Thursday noon to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday noon to 11 pm; Sunday noon to 8 pm.
“Up until now, our customers have had to find us in the alley, and they’ve only been able to purchase beer to go,” says Managing Partner and Brewer Shawn Decker. “Our new site directly across from Evanston’s Main Street El and Metra stops will be easier to locate, and with our expanded license customers can sit down and have a full beer—something they’ve been asking to do for a while now. Mix-and-match beer flights will be available too.”
Sketchbook’s new chapter will also include increased production. Cesar Marron, Managing Partner and Head Brewer, says “We’ve wanted to expand our line of beers for a while, focusing on both historical and experimental styles. Now that we can devote our entire alley facility to brewing, we can get to work on a range of new styles this spring. Our opening lineup will include 10 beers, including a new Belgian Single called Street-Side.”
Sketchbook has catered to a local audience with close to 400 members making monthly visits as part of the brewery’s Community-Supporter Brewery (CSB) program. Amy Wilkinson, Tap Room Manager, says “we are so excited to offer our neighborhood a fun gathering place with great beer. Our customers can BYOF (bring your own food) or order sandwiches or brownies from Evanston’s own Hewn bakery.”
Working collaboratively with architects from Valerio|Dewalt|Train, the Sketchbook team designed their new Tap Room with sustainable building materials from local businesses, including the Evanston Re-Building Warehouse. The taproom features bars and table tops constructed from decommissioned bowling alleys (created by Celso Marron), an eclectic mix of vintage bar stools, and architectural elements salvaged from a 19th century area home. Neon artist Greg Mowery contributed the orange Tap Room sign, and Evanston artist Joe Taylor is creating a mural for the back door.
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