Pour Decisions - Why Pollyanna Lemont Deserves a Spot On Your List
Lemont Downtown is home to Pollyanna Brewing Company and Pollyanna Social, a craft brewery and craft spirit company that has grown with the village for more than a decade. What started as a small local brewery has turned into an award-winning brewery and distillery that produces more than 1.5 million pints of crisp, balanced lagers annually and brings customers from all over the world to try their beers.
Today, you can walk into any grocery store, liquor or spirit store, and find a wide selection of craft beers. Often locally made, focused on clean, traceable ingredients, and brewed in small batches for premium taste. This wasn’t always the case, though.
In the 80s and 90s, beer was mass-produced by large corporate beverage companies and was a tasteless accessory to an evening out. It was necessary for celebrations or sporting events, but consumers didn’t relish the experience of tasting new beers. However, in the late 2000s tech boom, as folks started to wonder what other industries could be disrupted with smart, innovative products focused on the consumer experience, craft beer came to be, and thus, Pollyanna Brewery.
Pollyanna Brewery opened in Lemont in September 2024, bringing a wave of excitement and new energy to the village waiting to be discovered. The Lemont brewhouse consists of a steam-heated, oversized, 15-barrel mash/lauter tun and boil kettle/whirlpool. A fancy, technical way to say that if you look down, you’ll see a lot of science going on, producing absolutely delicious beer.
THE VIBE
The brew-master is German-trained and you’ll find an everyday beer like ‘Lite Thinking,’ a 2019 GABF Gold Medal Winner for American-Style Lager or American-Style Pilsner and 2020 GABF Bronze Medal Winner for American-Style Lager brewed with 6 row and 2 row malted barley, midwestern corn, and clear Land of Lincoln water or indulge in seasonal favorites like the Summerly, a raspberry wheat ale, or Dreamsicle Flurries, a white ale with orange and deep bodied vanilla.
From the start, Pollyanna got invested in Lemont’s community and local culture, collaborating with local businesses, supporting community fundraisers, and popping up at local events. They’re a part of us — brewing limited edition craft beers, like the Full Lemonty and the Lemont 150 beer that celebrated 150 years of Lemont Downtown and featured art from local artist Joyce Affelt.
Find Your Next Favorite Brew
Beyond the exceptional beer, Pollyanna Brewery is the perfect place to host a group outing, plan a romantic date, host a wedding event, or throw a large party. Every spring, around the Quarryman 5K and 10-mile race, the patio that sits along the I&M Canal opens up. Grab a seat next to the water, enjoy a beer, and do some bird watching and take in the vibes of Lemont Downtown. Browse the event calendar before your visit to see when they’re hosting live music and trivia or welcoming food trucks in their parking lot. The taproom is a great place to be together and often the life of the party during every Lemont Downtown event.
Even non-beer lovers will find something to love at Pollyanna Brewery. Start with your favorite flavors: fruit, berry, citrus, chocolate, or malt, and go from there. The bartenders are excellent guides at helping identify a flavor profile and offering tastings from there.
MEET Pollyanna Social
With the success of the Pollyanna Lemont taproom and other regional taprooms, the team began exploring craft spirits. In December 2023, nearly a decade after Pollyanna Brewery’s launch, Pollyanna Social opened up on the corner of Main Street and Stephen Street, bringing a new, refined cocktail experience.
All spirits are distilled at their St. Charles location and distributed to Pollyanna Social and local spirit shops. The beautifully designed bottles make for the perfect gift for your cocktail-loving friend, and the tastefully designed social space is the perfect place to enjoy a drink, catch up with friends, or take part in one of their many events – like a sexy book club in partnership with the Lemont Library, or single nights during the holidays or around Valentine’s Day. Pollyanna Social also partners with local businesses like Aster Gardens who provide herbs for their cocktails and offers a special ‘drink of the week’ at every Lemont Farmers Market.
WHat You Should Know
Now that you’re excited to check on the best brewery in the Chicagoland area, here are some things you should know.
Pollyanna Brewery and Pollyanna Social do not serve food. However, you can order from local restaurants for pick-up or delivery to the taprooms.
Make both spots your go-to during any local events. You’ll find lots of space to sit, enjoy a drink, and regroup more energy as you go out to enjoy Sunset Soiree or Ice & Lights Fest.
Check the event calendar regularly for live music, trivia nights, lectures on tap, or food truck festivals.
Pollyanna is on everyone’s wishlist: Stop by the taproom and brewery to pick up craft beer and spirits for every local holiday or dinner party.
