Scooter's Bar Journal » Metamora http://www.scootersbars.com A journal of the many places I have raised a glass or two... or twelve Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:35:01 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Evergreen Farm Brewing http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/evergreen-farm-brewing/ http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/evergreen-farm-brewing/#comments Sat, 30 Dec 2023 18:11:00 +0000 scooterj http://www.scootersbars.com/?p=12988 (Metamora, IL)

Scooter’s 1734th bar, first visited in 2023.

Evergreen Farm Brewing, Metamora

Our original plan was for our next destination to be Tres Rojas Winery in the nearby town of Washington. But When we were at Old Mill Vineyard, a conversation with another customer revealed to us the existence of a very small brewery we didn’t know about that was located along the way. People at the winery were signing its praises, so we decided to make Evergreen Farm Brewing our next stop instead.

This ended up being one of the more unique breweries I’ve ever been to. The farm has been in the same family since the mid-1800s, originally spanning 225 acres and included vegetable plots and an orchard. Much of the property was sold off in the 1990s, and in 2017 they get the idea to use the remaining acreage to grow ingredients to use in beer and begin a brewing operation.

The tap room is in a tiny building that was originally the farm’s “wash house”, containing a gas-powered washing machine. There is seating for about 5 people. Below, in the cellar, is where the beer is brewed. The brewing operation is so small that of the 9 taps, only 4 were their own beer and the rest were guest taps.

But don’t fear the “seating for 5″, because next door is an old detached garage that has been converted into seating for about 15-20. This building is heated by a wood stove and comes equipped with a wide variety of games to play while you’re having your beer. And in warmer weather (which some people did feel today was “warm enough” there is outdoor seating too.

Since they only had 4 of their own beers, I got a flight of them all: Almost Like Thanksgiving (strong ale, their first brew where nearly every ingredient was grown on their farm), Barn Roof Sledder (winter warmer), Tinsel Vibes (imperial red ale), and Castles Burning (Irish red ale). During which we played a game of Sorry! and I got my ass kicked.

We spent so long here that by the time we were ready to leave the sun was getting low. We decided to skip the other wineries and head back into the city.

Evergreen Farm Brewing, Metamora

Evergreen Farm Brewing, Metamora

Evergreen Farm Brewing, Metamora

Evergreen Farm Brewing, Metamora

Evergreen Farm Brewing, Metamora

Evergreen Farm Brewing, Metamora

Evergreen Farm Brewing, Metamora

Evergreen Farm Brewing, Metamora


1179 Douglas Rd
Metamora, IL 61548
US
[launch map]
+13092501858
Visit Web Site

]]> http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/evergreen-farm-brewing/feed/ 0 Bent Tree Tasting Room at Old Mill Vineyard http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/bent-tree-tasting-room-at-old-mill-vineyard/ http://www.scootersbars.com/2023/12/bent-tree-tasting-room-at-old-mill-vineyard/#comments Sat, 30 Dec 2023 18:10:00 +0000 scooterj http://www.scootersbars.com/?p=12979 (Metamora, IL)

Scooter’s 1733rd bar, first visited in 2023.

Bent Tree Tasting Room at Old Mill Vineyard, Metamora

We decided to begin the next day by driving out into the countryside to visit a winery. We picked this one to start because it was in the best starting position for visiting the other two wineries in the region if we decided to. (Our plan was to go to at least two, but that would get changed by new information we learned here.)

This is a place you have to know is there and keep your eyes peeled in order to find, because even with GPS taking us straight to the driveway it still took us a moment to find it.

The spacious tasting room is surrounded by grounds with several outdoor seating areas, some overlooking a well-kept pond.

For my tasting I had the Cyndi Ros&eacture;, the Five-05 (a sweet white), the Sunset Red (sweet red), and the Winterzauber (a seasonal cabernet infused with chocolate and raspberries). We ended up buying a bottle of the Winterzauber.

Bent Tree Tasting Room at Old Mill Vineyard, Metamora

Bent Tree Tasting Room at Old Mill Vineyard, Metamora

Bent Tree Tasting Room at Old Mill Vineyard, Metamora

Bent Tree Tasting Room at Old Mill Vineyard, Metamora

Bent Tree Tasting Room at Old Mill Vineyard, Metamora

Bent Tree Tasting Room at Old Mill Vineyard, Metamora

Bent Tree Tasting Room at Old Mill Vineyard, Metamora


700 Coon Creek Rd
Metamora, IL 61548
US
[launch map]
+13092589952
Visit Web Site

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