Oakbrook Brewing is an unassuming, humble operation in an old firehouse, situated on a quiet street…read morein a residential neighborhood of Reading. If you blinked, you might miss it. I questioned my GPS directions, because it's kind of it's own stand alone spot, next to homes and a small Bimbo operation (the bread company). There was plentiful street parking, and while I'm not sure it's a very monitored area, pay mind to the painted curbs.
When I first heard of Oakbrook, I imagined a chic, super hipster, maybe even slightly pretentious vibe. I could not have been more wrong. Long wooden tables and a plethora of outdoor tables make this a popular spot for locals. It's a very laid-back operation with a variety of beers and seltzers on tap, and some fancy grilled cheese sandwiches on the menu - perfect for kids, adults, vegetarians, and meat eaters. Sandwiches are made to order, full or half, and come with crunchy delicious potato chips.
The beer far exceeded my expectations. Between my boyfriend and I, we tasted the Tainted Luv - Mango Sour, Oakbrook IPA, Cookie Crumble Stout, and the Joe & Dan's Black and Tan. The Tainted Luv was incredibly thirst quenching, and the Oakbrook IPA rivals my other favorite Blood Orange IPA from a bigger local brewery. The IPA was bursting with orange flavor, and it made me wish they sold it in bottles or cans. The Cookie Crumble Stout, one of their flagship beers, had a punch of sweetness but not enough to overpower the beer, making it a tasty stout (and perfect in the 8 oz. pour I requested).
The most bizarre aspect of our visit was undoubtedly the cheerful, solo bartender/ cook. She was among the most chipper service workers I've ever encountered, and yet she was running the entire place by herself. How she managed to sling out numerous sandwiches and beer orders while staying sane was beyond me, but she deserved every penny of the extra tip we gave. I can't believe she was working completely alone - but she crushed it!
I love visiting places like Oakbrook. Simple menus, delicious products, good people. What more can you ask for?