Schlafly prepares to open first brewpub in Illinois

Schlafly Highland Square will open Wednesday, Dec. 22, in Highland, the brewer announced this week.

The new pub at 907 Main St. will hold a grand opening celebration on the brewery’s 30th anniversary Sunday, Dec. 26. Schlafly Beer’s founders Tom Schlafly and Dan Kopman, along with Founding Brewer Stephen Hale, will be in attendance for a ceremonial ribbon cutting at Schlafly Highland Square from noon to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 26.

This will be Schlafly’s first brewpub in Illinois, and the fourth brewpub in the Greater St. Louis area along with Schlafly Tap Room and Schlafly Bottleworks in St. Louis, and Schlafly Bankside in St. Charles.

Schlafly Highland Square is an 80-seat restaurant with a three-season patio that seats an additional 80 guests. The 71-year-old building most recently  served as the Highland Chamber of Commerce and has been renovated  and expanded to 3,420 square feet, including a new kitchen. The space preserves many of the building’s historic design features such as the massive safe behind the bar and incorporates a small experimental pilot brewery upstairs.

“For the better part of a year, we have been planning and revitalizing this building to open our first brewpub in Illinois. The City of Highland has been an exceptional partner, and we’re looking forward to bringing the Schlafly experience to residents and guests,” says CEO Fran Caradonna. “It’s serendipitous that the opening of Schlafly Highland Square  takes place so close to our company’s 30th anniversary.”

Schlafly Highland Square will offer a food menu representative of Schlafly’s signature pub fare. Additionally, the new brewpub location will have 14 signature Schlafly beer styles available on draft, including fan-favorites such as Schlafly IPA, Pale Ale, Kölsch and more. Guests can also enjoy the Highland Lager, a specialty beer brewed exclusively for the Illinois location. There will also be an onsite retail experience for Schlafly gear, growlers, brewpub-only special releases, packaged beer and more.

The food menu includes popular favorites from Schlafly including snacks such as Fried Marcoot Cheese Curds, Beer Bread and Crispy Frog Legs; soups and salads; and sandwiches, flatbreads, burgers and entrées ranging from the Braunschweiger Club and the Schlafly Smash Burger to Fish & Fries and Shepherd’s Pie.

During its 30 years, Schlafly has transformed older buildings into popular destinations. The historic Schlafly Tap Room opened in 1991 as the first brewpub in Missouri after Prohibition. The building was acquired and rehabbed after sitting vacant following a massive fire. Schlafly’s investment helped breathe new life back into St. Louis’ downtown landscape and will soon be next-door neighbors with the region’s new premier soccer stadium.

Schlafly Bottleworks, the company’s large brewing, packaging and shipping facility opened in 2003 and includes a 200-seat full service brewpub which serves as the anchor for the small business district in Maplewood, Missouri. Schlafly acquired Trailhead Brewing Co. in St. Charles in January, 2020, and re-launched the three-story pub as Schlafly Bankside later that year.

Schlafly Beer’s 30th anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 26 includes $3 pints as a throw-back to 1991 prices along with commemorative merchandise for purchase at all brewpubs. President Tom Schlafly along with former Founder Dan Kopman and Founding Brewer Stephen Hale will celebrate with a toast and anniversary remarks at all four brewpubs, beginning with the ribbon cutting at Schlafly Highland. Schlafly Bankside will follow from 2-3 p.m., Schlafly Bottleworks from 4-5 p.m. and Schlafly Tap Room from 5:30-6 p.m. Tom’s Premium Pilsner, will also be available for a limited release at the Schlafly Tap Room and Bottleworks.

For more information, visit www.schlafly.com