Sunday 4th of November 2012 02:50:39 PM

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Cool location with two level restaurant as well as back bar area for music. The beer selection was the usual Two Brothers selection plus a couple others that were not listed on the menu. So if you go, always ask the staff if there are any other beers available. Didn't see too many from other brewers listed. But overall pretty cool place and nice if you are looking for food and beers.

Friday 4th of June 2010 05:56:20 PM

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3/10
First time visiting this place, i've tried a couple of their bottled beers before, but had never been to the brewpub. We stopped in on a snowy Saturday afternoon (in March!?) with orbitalr0x.

The building itself is impressive, and houses multiple venues. A weekend absinthe bar for example, coffee bar, and an outdoor courtyard popular for weddings.

The brewpub bar was up a few stairs to the right of the hostess station. Lots of wood planks and dark colors gave it a northwoods lodge vibe. The rectangular bar was front and center, with table seating along the walls, and upstairs on a second level visible above the bar. Lighting was pretty dark, though it was an overcast day and there was zero natural light coming in. It felt cozy, and if we had more time to kill, probably would have been at the bar for hours.

Selection was ok, the crazy highlight being a "jury-rigged" randalizer on the bar. They were running a dry-hopped amber through 1/2 pound of Centennial hops... it was great! We had a sample of the regular amber next to it and the dry-hopped blew it away. Another specialty was a cherry version of the bourbon imperial stout, that was aged 547 days in oak. Other than that the selection was pretty typical, a stout, pilsner, etc.

Service was friendly and timely, one of the brewers stopped by and explained his randalizer, which was cool. We tried a queso fundido app that came with spicy chorizo, which was good. The crowd seemed to be fairly mixed, many just there for lunch, others drinking green st. pattys bottles of bud light :S
It's a BREWPUB for pete's sake!

There were still bottles to go in the coolers, though they seem to be dwindling in the market. We saw a couple palllets in the brewing area too, so they still appear to be bottling here.

Monday 25th of May 2009 10:04:09 AM

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Can't add a lot to the previous reviews but I'll say that not much has changed. I did not see evidence of the BOP but didn't inquire. I liked the open feel of the brewing area and there was a good selection of special brews. The Dirty Blonde Chocolate was an interesting light brew with a strong chocolate smell and taste. As indicated by others, the Scotch Ale was a bit light but tasty. On the other hand, the Whiskey Barrel Imperial Stout was great. At $7.50 for a snifter, it was a bit expensive but worthwhile (as was the food). Overall, a nice experience.

Wednesday 10th of October 2007 11:30:13 AM

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Walter Payton's Roundhouse featuring Americas Brewing Company brews is an enjoyable beer lovers location. Many differently style beers were featured but I think my favorite was the Sweetness Stout.

This location is big! The bar is just to your right when you enter through the revolving doors. We found the service to be a little slow and not as friendly as other bar service in my experience. Attentiveness was really the only down fault for the lack of service but our order was taken and received without mistakes and we were also pleased with the menu.

I would suggest for sure trying any one of the pizzas served here but especially the Pizza with basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. This went well with our second serving of beer, my choice was the Scotch Ale which was served in a 10 ounce snifter glass. This brew was super tasty but a little on the light side for a Scotch Ale, which I usually like a bit more malty and smoky. Great beers overall but maybe in general the handcrafted lineup could use a little more assertive addition of hops aroma.

The prices were very affordable and this location seems to have regular beer specials on their brews. One thing that was confusing was that there was a beer/wine list which also featured food menu items which were not listed on the dinner menu. So, be sure to read both menus for the best selection of appetizers and meal choices.

I know a number of people who held their wedding receptions at this brewpub/ museum/ banquet hall. I would definately recommend this location to you if you like a not-so loud brewpub dining experience with a quiet bar scene.

When you leave be sure to check out the Walter Payton Museum which is filled with Payton's life memorabilia including Bears gear, Pictures with the Bears, his racing legacy and sponsorship opportunities, tons of trophies and so many more interesting photos and Payton memorials.

Sunday 26th of August 2007 07:22:02 PM

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There were 9 beers on tap today... 8 of the house beers... and one beer from the 06 Drunk monk challenge winner, a barrel aged cherry stout. Had a scotch ale and a pils... the pils is good here, and for a flagship, very good.

This place is large... bar area seats about 50, fireplace area seats another 70, the upstairs seats at least 70, the inner circle, or bandstand area seats at least another hundred, and as such has many bands playing, comedy nights, and other such stage acts playing thruout the summer. It's multi functional, you can go for a beer, beer and a good meal, a good meal... it's a brewery/restaraunt and both have their own focus... this place is bop (brew on premise), this place has three other bars and several reception areas for functions ie. wedding receptions or business functions... The vibe is fun and quality and relaxing... depends on where you sit.

There's a walter payton's museum down the hall a ways after the first of the bars but before the bathrooms... worth any football fans time to take a look at the legacy of a great player.

The swag here is really nice, it's a bit on the upside as they sometimes have jerseys, football or baseball or somesuch, lots of styles for all types, good quality shirts... and other such swag.

The growler policy is pretty good here... I've gotten non paytons growlers filled here before, but the cost is like a $4 upcharge if they wanna sell you one.

They bottle the pils and the wheat, as well as a rootbeer. I've had bottles of some of the bourbon offerings from the barrelaged fest, so if you see the brewer... put the needles to him, worth a try.

The service was okay today, new guy there, kinda jumping all over... can vary with games on or exceptional crowds, but that's anywhere you go...

Sunday 25th of March 2007 10:34:23 AM

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Walter Payton's Roundhouse is the home of America's Brewing Company. The Roundhouse was originally built to house an automobile building and repair site that was adjacent to a railroad line. The railroad is still there, but now the building is home to a restaurant, brewpub, banquet facilities and the Walter Payton museum. The Roundhouse is also adjacent to a Metra stop on the BNSF Railway (Aurora stop).

The brewpub bar overlooks the Walter Payton's store and the brewery tanks are very visible over a low brick wall. The bar is laid out in a rectangle with three sides of stools. There is probably space for 20 stools or so.

There are about 8 house brewed beers available (and you can get a bud light if you so desire!). The food is pub style, with burgers, sandwiches and the like available to choose from. The food and beer have been good on both of my trips to the Roundhouse. The majority of the beers here seem to lean a bit toward the lighter side of the style spectrum.

The service has also been good at the bar. Overall, I enjoyed my visits here and if I lived nearby I would probably frequent this location. But as it stands it is a bit harder for me to get out there very often.

There is a very large parking area and in the warmer months they have a beer garden in the open area of the middle of the roundhouse.