Dining out: Six seltzer medals for Penrose Brewing, National Oyster Day and more
A toast to the victors
Penrose Brewing, 509 Stevens St., Geneva, showed out again at the recent 2025 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship, taking home six medals for the second year in a row from the largest hard seltzer judging event in the United States.
Penrose took home gold in two categories with their Pink Lemon Seltz-Up and Blueberry Pomegranate Lemon Seltz-Up. They also collected four bronze medals in various categories with Cherry Temple Seltz-Up, Apple Cider Donut Seltz-Up, Margarita Seltz-Up and Lemon Seltz-Up.
Pink Lemon Seltz-Up completed a three-peat with a gold medal in the Pink Lemonade category for the third consecutive year. Lemon Seltz-Up picked up its third medal overall, adding the bronze to its two previous gold medals.
With their six medals, the Geneva brewery earned sixth place in the overall competition.
Sweet! A chance for free tea
McAlister’s Deli will open their second Naperville location on Monday, Aug. 4, at 1296 E. Chicago Ave.
A grand opening celebration starting at 10:30 a.m. will feature a “Free Tea for a Year Giveaway,” with the first 50 guests in line receiving a reward entitling them to one free Big Tea a day for a year.
At noon Friday, Aug. 1, McAlister’s is inviting first responders, medical professionals, active military personnel, veterans, teachers, PTO members and truck drivers to enjoy a complimentary meal with valid ID.
The restaurant will be open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and features a window-side pickup, delivery, catering and dine in with outdoor seating options.
Aw, shucks
National Oyster Day is Tuesday, Aug. 5, and Shaw’s Crab House is shucking up a special deal.
The Schaumburg location is extending its popular Monday “Sip & Slurp” special to Tuesday, offering half-price select oysters on the half shell and specially priced bottles of wine from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What’s new?
Old Town Pour House, with locations in Oak Brook and Naperville, continues its rotating Chef Selects lineup with a pair of new dishes and a couple of drinks to wash them down.
The menu, available now through Sept. 9, includes elote corn “ribs,” with fresh corn, chili-lime crema, queso fresco, tajin and micro cilantro ($11.95), and Korean smash tacos, featuring a smashed beef patty, gochujang glaze, miso aioli, kimchi, green onions, sesame seeds, a flour tortilla and a choice of a side ($16.95).
LTO offerings from the bar include the Boozy Cream Soda featuring Wheatley Vodka, Frangelico and Sprite ($13.45) and the Banana Painkiller, with Giffard Banane du Bresil, Myers’s Rum, pineapple and orange juices and cream of coconut ($13.45).
• Email dining events to rwest@dailyherald.com.