Brewery could open this month in Lombard

Beer is in fermenters, kegs have arrived and finishing touches are being put in place at Noon Whistle Brewery in Lombard.

On Thursday, the new business got one step closer to opening with the issuance of a liquor license by the village board.

Owner Paul Kreiner said he expects the brewery to open within the next two weeks, depending on the issuance of a state license.

“We're excited, but we still need these last couple of things to come into play,” he said.

Kreiner said Noon Whistle, located at 800 E. Roosevelt Road, next to Whirlyball, is “not like every other brewery,” which often has customers enter into a tasting room.

“You are part of the brewery and you are part of the process,” he said. “When you come in you will see the tanks, you will hear the tanks, you will smell the process. We'll be there talking to our customers. It's a whole local feel and you basically can be part of the whole drink process.”

There will be 10 draft lines set up behind the bar. When the brewery opens, customers can expect four beers, including the Lilacia Farmhouse Ale, named after the village's beloved park.

Others include the Roh-Ze-Velt, a German Weiss, the Kindhouse American IPA and a double session beer called the Pound Sign.

Session beers, or brews with less than 5 percent alcohol, are what the brewery will focus on. Kreiner wants the selection to appeal to customers who want to enjoy several beers over a few hours, but also maintain some measure of sobriety.

Kreiner worked on the distributing side of the beer industry for 10 years, but it was in the last three that he started working toward his goal of opening a brewery, along with two longtime friends.

Noon Whistle ­will not serve food, but customers are welcome to bring in meals to enjoy with their beer. The brewery also has plans to partner with food trucks, which will likely visit on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

“I feel like we've been getting a huge reaction,” Kreiner said, adding that many residents from Lombard and Villa Park have been asking on Facebook when the brewery plans to open. “Hopefully we meet their expectations, and I feel that we will.”

Brewery hours will be noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For information, or to be the first to hear about an opening date, visit noonwhistlebrewing.com.