Two years after it fired up its beer kettles for the first time, Nevin’s Brewing Company will begins offering four of its signature beers at a handful of local restaurants and pubs on July 1, 2014. Restaurants carrying the NBC brand of beers include The Kerry Piper in Willowbrook, Tommy Nevin’s Pubs in Frankfort, Evanston and Naperville, Pete Miller’s in Wheeling, Muldoon’s in Wheaton. It was a two year process to hone flavor profiles and to be approved by the State of Illinois to pour in other establishments. “I am very pleased with all four beers that are headed out the door,” says brewmaster, Marc Wilson. “It’s a little like raising kids and sending them off into the world.”
The next goal for Nevin’s Brewing Company is to bring the beers to retail market in the stores around Illinois as well as offer the beers to more restaurants and pubs. Nevin’s Brewing Company’s first and most popular beer is called Contentious, receiving its name after a long battle among customers for naming rights. “Everyone had very serious opinions about what to name the beer. It was getting a little heated so we decided to call it Contentious. We didn’t do any more contests after that one,” says Wilson. Asked why he chooses a clean shaven look over the stereotypical bearded brewmaster, Wilson simply says, “I like to stand out in a crowd.” He’s planning for his beers will do the same.
The four beers making their way to a near you are: YOLO! – Czech inspired pilsner with all pilsner malt, noble hops, and traditional German lagering yeast. Grainy and floral with enough bitterness to let you know it’s there. Easy drinking session beer. 25 IBU 5.0% ABV Red Lager – 100% imported Vienna malt and American varietals of traditional German hops compose this biscuity and bready Vienna lager. Low amount of bitterness allows the Vienna malt profile to pull through. 20 IBU 5.0% ABV Contentious – The first beer brewed by NBC. This Belgian IPA is a perennial favorite. The malt bill consists of pale and Vienna malts. Mandarina Bavaria carries the hop bill for this. The spice of the Belgian yeast and orange citrus notes of the hops play beautifully together. 75 IBU 6.5% ABV Southside Stout – Roasty with a heavy hand of chocolate malt. Nitrogen gives South Side a firm and long-lasting silky head. Easily quaffable and highly enjoyable. 40 IBU 5.0% ABV.