Breweries are meant to be seen and invite people in to see the process and taste the beer," he said. "It should be a great catalyst for this entire area."

He also answered two lingering questions about the brewery: The company will shut down its current brewing facility at 1616 General Electric Road in Bloomington when its lease expires next August, and the new location is now officially part of an enterprise zone — which allows Destihl to get tax abatements on building materials purchased in Illinois.

Matt joked with state Rep. Dan Brady, who attended the groundbreaking, about the Bloomington Republican helping to get the enterprise zone extended. It will expire June 30 but the state is considering an application to reinstate it as of Jan. 1.

Bloomington Normal Economic Development Council CEO Kyle Ham and Vice President Mike O'Grady and Normal City Council member Kathleen Lorenz also attended Wednesday's ceremony.

Matt Potts also spoke about the history of Destihl, which operates brewpub restaurants at 318 S. Towanda Ave. in Normal and 301 N. Neil St. in Champaign. He reiterated the Normal location will stay open even though the brewery will serve "food truck-inspired fare," according to marketing materials.