Local Voices

Smylie Bros. Brewing Opens Tuesday

The Oak Avenue brewpub pushed its opening day back a week.

Updated June 18:

Smylie Brothers Brewing, which was supposed to open Thursday, has pushed the date back until Tuesday, according to the brewpub's Facebook page.

It posted a message to fans that reads: "Sorry everyone – we have to postpone our opening due to some unforeseen building issues. You’ll see us working if you stop by, but we won’t be open to the public until next Tuesday, June 24 at 4:00 p.m. #bummer #worththewait"

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Original story:

Evanston brewpub Smylie Brothers Brewing Company will open for dinner next week.

Find out what's happening in Evanstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Smylie Brothers Brewing Company, at 1615 Oak Ave., will serve dinner Tuesday through Sunday starting June 19. Lunch and brunch service will be added later.

For those keeping track at home, that means Boltwood’s opening Thursday, Homestead Meats & Deli opens June 17 and then Smylie Brothers on the 19th. How many sit-ups must be added to the collective Evanston exercise routine to make up for so much temptation?

Here’s how Smylie Brothers describes their brewpub in a press release:

The restaurant brings craft beer, Texas-style barbecue, wood-fired pizza, and Midwestern comfort food to downtown Evanston.

On why he decided to open the brewpub, owner Mike Smylie explains, “I grew up with a large family – there are five Smylie Brothers and over forty cousins on the North Shore – and I have been cooking for as long as I can remember and home brewing since college. My dad is from Texas, and so we grew up on Texas barbecue. Family and friends always asked when we would open a restaurant, and now we can’t wait to share our beer and food with Evanston.”

Evanston’s Fourth Ward Alderman, Don Wilson, adds “I have been waiting with great interest since I first heard about the idea and concept. I am excited to see what Smylie Brothers has in store for us!”

Beer lovers can expect head brewer Brad Pulver to deliver a fresh take on old-world styles at Smylie Brothers. The brewpub will have twenty-four taps with eight featuring a rotation of Smylie Brothers beers and the remaining taps offering local, Midwestern brews from the Great Lakes area. The beer list will switch but visitors can expect to find Smylie’s signature beer, a California Common or ‘Steam beer’ (the only true American beer), and a Belgian brew always on tap.  For those who want to enjoy Smylie Brothers beer at home, growlers will be available.

Executive Chef Grant Carey promises an eclectic mix of regional American cuisine. From Midwestern comfort food to the Smylie family’s secret Texas style barbecue recipes, the Smylie Brothers menu will compliment the brewpub’s beers and even use ingredients straight from the brewery.

Designed by Wrap Architecture (wraparchitecture.com/) Smylie Brothers Brewing’s décor  reflects the family’s appreciation for the history of the 100-year-old building that began as a carriage house and later turned into the beloved Oak Street Market before becoming the city’s unemployment office. In renovating the building, the Smylie family and builder LG Construction & Development Group (www.lgdevelopmentgroup.com) are only using new materials when necessary to support the structure. The interior features reclaimed wood, polished concrete floors, natural light and an exposed thirty-foot barrel truss ceiling. With seating for 200 inside, a 60 seat outdoor patio, and private party rooms, Smylie Brothers Brewing Company will be one of the few venues in Evanston that can accommodate large events.

Fans who have been anxiously awaiting Smylie Brothers’ opening can look for a chance to sample what is to come with some pre-opening events. Details will be shared on Smylie Brothers’ website (www.smyliebros.com) and social media feeds Facebook (www.facebook.com/SmylieBrothersBrewingCo), Twitter (www.twitter.com/SmylieBros), and Instagram (http://www.oninstagram.com/profile/smyliebros).


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