This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by a Guest Hop Reviewer.
BATAVIA, IL
DETOUR: Batavia, Illinois – Energy City Brewing
“DETOURS” is a travel series by The Hop Review. Being a weary traveler almost always calls for a reward in the form of a pint at the end of the day. Here, we will document those beer breaks–as we travel the U.S. and beyond–with quips, photographs and Q&As. Cheers, to the adventurous beer trekker.
–––
No. 035
ENERGY CITY BREWING
2 1/2 West Wilson Street, Suite A-1, Batavia, ILLINOIS 60510
As I drive past the riverside brewery, I can a see small line forming. I park and walk up and take my place at the end, a movement I’ve come accustomed to when hunting down desired beers and breweries. This was a special event for Energy City Brewing, and I was happy I didn’t miss it.
When
David and Heidi Files approached the city of Batavia, Illinois to open a nanobrewery, the city was more than happy to accommodate their request and developed a brand new license for Energy City. David, a chemical engineer by day, evolved his skills over the last 15 years from homebrewing for his neighbors, to then winning brewing competitions. A 2007 win in the ‘Large Stout’ category at a sanctioned American Homebrewers Association competition (at the [now] Two Brother’s Roundhouse) spurred David to build upon that success and start brewing commercially.To reach the next level, David needed a larger space bigger than his garage, kitchen and sometimes basement, so he started taking off every other Friday and gypsy brewed at Church Street Brewing in Itasca, IL; shipping out 30-barrel batches about every other week..
Once the recipe is bottled or canned, Energy City doesn’t just wave goodbye to the delivery trucks… Instead, their humble storefront nestled down by the Fox River is focused on selling directly to their passionate customers. On the first Saturday on the calendar, Energy City has their monthly beer release where beer fans can grab some of their fresh stuff. David, Heidi, and Heidi’s daughter, Kyra–as well as a volunteer or two–are all hands on deck manning jockey boxes, pouring samples, and chatting it up with their fans, friends, and neighbors.
As I chatted with David and Heidi’s neighbors, Kevin and Natalie Preas, they shared some insights with me from trying a lot of David’s pilot brews to watching Energy City grow from a backyard project to a commercial reality. They’ve also seen a boom in popularity for the brewery. Their current releases have seen lines swing around the corner prompting Kevin to get in line before open just to make sure he can stock up on what he wants of his neighbor’s concoctions.
Speaking with David Files, he has an immense passion for brewing and does not approach their endeavor haphazardly. He reflects on the industry trends and adjusts his recipes to satisfy not only himself, but what beer drinkers are looking for. His Hop Nawi, an NEIPA using Australian hops with notes of orange, passion fruit and pine, is not something you taste everyday, but it’s a fan favorite by far.
There was a quaintness to the storefront area, where I felt that I was invited to more of a backyard party rather than a beer release. Everyone there seemed to causally relax with a pour as you would at your own patio or living room and forget about the stresses of the week.
David and Heidi are currently focused on opening a taproom and expanding their brewery to at least 30 barrels a week and eventually turning Energy City into David’s full time job. At such an early stage in their commercial trajectory, it will be interesting to follow and watch how Energy City grows. David certainly has the passion and intelligence to build upon the brewery. And after being surrounded by their fans with sample pours and 4-packs in hand, I don’t see ‘ECB’ letting up anytime soon.
What We Drank:
Milkshake Nawi – Mango [7.2%] – It’s ECB’s Hop Nawi recipe with added mangos, vanilla, and lactose. There is slight vanilla in the nose with the Australian Vic Secret and Galaxy hops providing a bright taste upfront. The addition of lactose provided a silky texture and that signature ‘milkshake’ look, making it stand out in a glass.
***
“I did a lot of traveling when I was younger, around different parts of the world. I really like the idea of terroir, the flavor of a place.
”
“People were always asking for me to make that Hop Nawi. You need the support of the customers to make it grow.
”
“It’s always been phenomenal beer. Once we heard he was going to open this, we were going to support it 100%. The local response has been real crazy.
”
–––
Photographed & authored by Michael A. Hubatch, contributor for The Hop Review. Hubatch is a writer and photographer based in Chicago. He has previously covered the beer scene in Las Vegas, NV, Nashville, TN and Naperville, IL for The Hop Review.
Read the rest of the DETOURS series as we highlight unique places to drink across the world.
