Keg sales discussion on tap in Lombard

The Rock Bottom Brewery in Lombard is the only one of 37 locations across the nation not allowed to sell kegs of its house-brewed beer, but that could change as soon as this week.

Acting Lombard Village President Peter Breen said the village board on Thursday plans to consider loosening regulations to allow the restaurant to sell kegs of beers brewed on premise.

“We’re doing what we can to keep Lombard business-friendly,” Breen said.

Rock Bottom’s liquor license allows it to sell alcoholic beverages to restaurant customers and brew beer on site. But the largest container of beer that can be sold for carryout is a 64-ounce growler, said Jennifer Verde, general manager of Rock Bottom’s Lombard location.

All other locations of the restaurant and microbrewery chain — including ones in Warrenville, Chicago, Orland Park and 16 other states — are able to sell kegs, she said.

“This is definitely something we’ve wanted since we opened,” Verde said. “We would only sell kegs of the beer we actually brew on premise.”

Lombard’s Rock Bottom opened in August 2006. Its Class Z liquor license for a restaurant/brew pub prohibits package liquor sales in containers larger than 64 ounces, meaning sales of 1,984-ounce kegs have been an obvious no-go.

But if the village board changes the liquor license regulations, Verde said keg sales at Rock Bottom could begin quickly.

“Once we get the go-ahead that we’re able to do it, we could start immediately,” she said.

The village board is scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, in village hall at 255 E. Wilson Ave.