Channahon Neighbors Bring Craft Beer Fans Together With Taproom, Bottle Shop

It’s something a lot of friends talk about, but few actually do: “We should open a business together.”

But what started as a mutual love of craft beer for neighbors Eric Schutz and Colt Snodgrass has evolved into a local business that’s bringing craft beer fans together.

The Channahon residents said planning for Iron&Glass began three years ago as chatter between friends. The duo envisioned a business that would serve craft brews on tap, as well as packaged beer, wine and cider.

“We had seen the concept in California and Oregon,” said Snodgrass, a former outside sales and purchasing rep with a background in the bar business. “We thought, ‘Why isn’t this here in Illinois?’”

After a brief search for potential locations, the friends, both fathers of young children, temporarily put the plan on hold – until this year.

“We thought, if we don’t do this now, it’s never going to happen,” said Schutz, an Oak Lawn native and former retail manager.

The first step to making the beer-lover’s haven a reality? Getting their wives on board.

“We had to convince the ladies,” Schutz said of his wife, Maggie, and Snodgrass’ wife, Christen. It didn’t take long until everyone was on board.

“We trusted each other’s skills and work ethic,” Snodgrass said.

“He’s got the sales and bar aspect, I’ve got the business aspect,” Schutz said. “Everyone brings something different to the table.”

Schutz said they began looking at locations in the Romeoville area. “We wanted (to be) somewhere in this area because it was untapped,” he said.

The central location – just minutes away from Joliet, Plainfield, Crest Hill and Bolingbrook – was also a bonus, Snodgrass said.

“We also knew that the mayor was a craft beer supporter,” said Schutz.

Mayor John Noak recently named Romeoville’s first brewery, Metal Monkey, the village’s Business of the Year.

“Metal Monkey paved the way for us,” Schutz said of the brewery, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, “and the mayor has been a big supporter of us.”

Iron&Glass – the name is a nod to the fact that the business offers both drinks on tap and to take home in bottles – opened on Dec. 16. The business offers 12 rotating brews on tap, along with wine, cider, mead and non-alcoholic beverages like craft soda.

Special events

The business quickly became a popular spot for beer lovers to gather and talk.

“We want the community around here to be involved with us,” Snodgrass said. “All of us enjoy hanging around and talking about beer. When people come in, they pull up a chair and talk to each other – there’s no TVs.”

Iron&Glass has also started hosting events to bring craft brew fans together. A regular bottle share event, held the last Wednesday of each month, has become popular. Limited to 20 participants, the free event invites fans to bring in a special release or limited edition beer of their choice. Then, bartenders serve each guest a one-ounce pour of each brew.

“You get to try 20 different beers,” Snodgrass said. “It’s a good time for people to come out and learn about different beers, even if it’s stuff we don’t sell.”

Iron&Glass is also offering up a twice-monthly Yoga&Beer event led by local yoga instructors.

Participants can register for bottle share or Yoga&Beer events by contacting Iron&Glass.

No reservations are required for a new “bring your own board game” event set for Feb. 23. “It’s a low-key environment,” Schutz said.

Iron&Glass is also open to hosting private events, and schedules special “tap takeovers,” including a Feb. 17 event featuring six beers on tap from Odell Brewing Company.

Local brews

While Iron&Glass works with seven different distributors – plus several smaller breweries that handle their own distribution – most of the beers featured at the business are local.

“Almost one-third of our bays are strictly Illinois,” Schutz said, referring to the wide selection of packaged beer for sale.

And because they’re working with in-state brewers, “You’re getting the freshest beer possible,” Snodgrass said. “We love to support (local breweries), he added. “They’ve got the same stories as ours.”

“Everyone helps each other within the beer community,” Schutz said.

If you go:

Where:

• Iron&Glass, 632 S. Weber Road, Romeoville

When:

• Closed Mondays
• 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday
• 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

Contact:

• Facebook
• 815-782-5559

Photo: Iron&Glass founders Eric Schutz (left) and Colt Snodgrass/Credit: Shannon Antinori