By Timothy Inklebarger

Staff Reporter

Plans for a beer manufacturing facility and tasting room at 6806 Roosevelt Road were given the OK by the village's Liquor Control Review Board.

Co-owners of Noble Kinsman Brewing Co. Steve Loranz, Neal Armstrong and Keith Huizinga, told the review board that they hope to open the brewing facility in late fall and the roughly 600-square-foot tasting room before the end of the year.

Roughly eight beers will be available on tap, with seating for about 25-30 people, Loranz said.

"Our main focus is going to be lagers," Loranz said in a telephone interview, noting that most of their brews will be lower alcohol content, around 4-5 percent alcohol by volume.

Noble Kinsman will produce limited-release beers that approach 7-10 percent alcohol by volume. He said they will also offer a small selection of sodas made at the facility.

"If people don't want to have a beer, they can still come in and have a drink with their family," he said.

Loranz and company assured the review board that the tasting room would not be like a typical bar and would not include televisions or accept cash. Staff will not be allowed to accept tips, which he said would discourage them from overserving.

Huizinga added that it would be a place where customers can come in and learn about their product.

"It's not a place to come watch football all day," he said.

The facility will offer some complimentary finger foods, and customers will have the option of ordering food from nearby restaurants or bringing in their own meals, Loranz said.

"We'll have food that's a little better than chips and pretzels and peanuts."

The group purchased the building and has been working on a gut rehab, replacing the ceiling, plumbing and electric throughout the structure.

Operating hours are tentatively 3-10 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 or 6 p.m. on Sundays.

They still need a permit from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to operate the facility, as well as construction permits from the village.

The recommendation to grant a liquor license will be presented to the Village Board of Trustees at its meeting set for March 16.

Contact: tim@oakpark.com