Kindling Spirits & Grill

Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

1420 Main St
Carterville, Illinois, 62918-5151
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.36
Reviews:
7
Ratings:
7
pDev:
9.63%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of champ103
Reviewed by champ103 from Texas

3.75/5  rDev -14%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
I am glad I got to try this place. An odd one being a mix of restaurant, floral, and liquor store. It is a log cabin that is very cozy and warm. The restaurant side has a fire going, and Christmas tree and decorations up. It is hard to get more comfortable.

While the service I had was slow, they were very accommodating and made up for the mistakes. First I sat at the table for 20 minutes with no service. There was one waitress that was trying to keep up, but could not. She did not know the beers on tap, so more waiting ensued while the manager came over. Along with some obvious problems in the kitchen. Though everything worked out all right, and I got a free side dish to boot. The manager is very knowledgeable and friendly. We had I nice chat about beer.

The food is very good. I had a steak sandwich and pasta salad. They are serving some bigger entrees for dinner now as well. Freshly made, simple, and very good.

There are three to four taps that rotate. When I was there, Sam Adams Cherry Bock, Southern Tier Oat, and Big Muddy Vanilla Stout. As well as anything from the store. A small selection of local micros, and some imports. More Big Muddy, Goose Island, Schlafly, Bells, Founders, Jolly Pumpkin. Some in the cooler, some on the shelf. The taps were in good order, and the bottles rotate regularly.

Overall, a nice place to visit. There were some obvious serving problems, but the staff took care of it professionally, which is all anyone can ask for. I will be back.
Dec 22, 2011
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4
Interesting hybrid of a place, part liquor store, part cafe/bistro, and another side of the business that does custom florals. From the outside it looks like a big log cabin, complete with a porch and outdoor patio. We visited the store on a Sunday, which is the only day the Bistro side is closed.

In the store they had 4 taps running, the highlight was Big Muddy Monster, an "India Brown Ale" from Big Muddy Brewing in nearby Murphysboro. There was a small area with tables, and an outdoor patio where you could enjoy draft beer and sandwiches from the bistro. Another few shelves held gourmet snacks, and there was a cooler with a small cheese selection.

Service was friendly and beer focused. The manager was pretty gregarious and chatted all things beer for awhile, even giving us a tour of the place.

Some highlights of the selection were NB Le Terroir & La Folie, Founders Double Trouble & Imperial Stout, Schlafly 20th Hop Toddy and Reserve Series, Great Lakes, Bells, Green Flash West Coast IPA, Rochefort 10, Achel, Weihenstephaner, and more. Selection wasn't huge, but it was high quality. For a small corkage fee (that covers their on-premise license) you can drink any bottle in the place right there, which is pretty cool. They even have a drive-thru (sort of an elusive oddity in Illinois).

Kindling was a unique place that i'd definitely return to.
Worth the short detour off of I-57.
May 23, 2011
Photo of jones3aj
Reviewed by jones3aj from Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
Kindling has got to be my favorite place to buy in Southern Illinois. Even though they're often more expensive than most other places in SI, the selection, atmosphere, and sales staff (for the most part) make it worth the extra coin.

Both Larry (the owner) and Gary (sales) are very knowledgable about their products, and will bend over backward to get you what you want. They'll even take requests, and order special stuff for you. My second time in the store, I told Gary what I was looking for, and he took me back into the cooler to look for things that I might not have tried. Great staff.

Another thing I love is that you can buy a single (or more) and just sit out on the patio and enjoy your brew. Some of the best days I've had in SI were out on the patio, drinking the afternoon away.

Monday nights are beer tastings, which is also a great way meet local beer fans.

The selection is the largest in the region, and is constantly changing with the seasons. Wine, liquor and beer, you'll find something new every time you visit.

Sometimes pricey, but always worth it.
Dec 06, 2010
Photo of seedsofchaos
Reviewed by seedsofchaos from Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Kindling Spirits is definitely a place I find myself re-reviewing every few months. The place literally just keeps getting better and better. From their first day as just another liquor store that happened to carry a few craft beers to an establishment that advocates beer, holds classes for BJCP certification and holds weekly beer tastings: This place is a phenomenal small beer store for Southern Illinois.

Along side of at least 4 rotating taps that have seen the likes of Devil Dancer, Korbinian, Two-Hearted Ale, Southern Tier Unearthly and Left Hand Milk Stout, Kindling also hosts a decent selection of bottles of both American and imported craft beer. In stock always are: a strong selection of Bell's, Founder's, Southern Tier, Anchor, Great Divide and Mikkeller. From Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel to Weihenstephaner to Schlafly, everyone is guaranteed to find at least a little something to drink on.

The staff are always willing to help and definitely will make anyone feel right at home. Mondays are beer tasting nights and are open to the public with homebrewers welcome. I'd say the ONLY downside to this establishment are the above average prices that may keep those on a budget from being able to try a lot of new things. As time goes by, I see Kindling's beer selection getting even greater and, who knows, maybe they'll drop some of those prices eventually.

All in all, this a gem of a place for Southern Illinoisians.
Aug 03, 2010
Photo of Hap
Reviewed by Hap from Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -8.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5
Okay, time for an update on this little place. When I first started coming here it was way overpriced and not that impressive. Well, let me tell you what; things have come a LONG way since then.

Beer selection has become much, much better. [will list brands soon] Still a tad bit pricey for package but, for being in the middle of nowhere (yes, I live close by), its becoming a great asset.

By far the best lunch for the buck around, IMO. I had a half portobello sandwich and a cup of shrimp etouffe for around $8. I washed all of that down with a delicious Korbinian($4) on tap (they are keeping around 4 or 5 taps running).

To the owners/managers> way to make a great change! You get my most improved S. Illinois beer store of 2010.

Slainte!
Jan 26, 2010
Photo of halfhorsefilms
Reviewed by halfhorsefilms from Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +11.2%
What can I say? I just got started sampling micros and was severely disappointed with Southern Illinois. Then I heard about this place. WONDERFUL service! I didn't even know what I wanted to try out but Larry & Gary were right there helping me pick out the good 'uns. Apparently every Monday has some form of event or sampling for extremely reasonable prices where aficionados are abundant and the beer flows like . . . uhhh . . . beer? Nice patio/front porch and all you need to do is ask for a glass and you can drink your purchase there.

Big selection of Dogfish Head, lots of IPA, small scattering of Trappists, & the only place to get a Scotch Ale in Southern Illinois. Expect usual liquor store items, but don't be afraid to ask because these guys have tried everything in the store.

Bonus - BeerAdvocate ratings + descriptions printed of and hung next to nearly every bottle.

As I write this, their restaurant section not yet open, but they hope to open it soon, adding something even more wonderful to an already surprising establishment.
Jul 07, 2009
Photo of BobbyBeerman
Reviewed by BobbyBeerman from Illinois

5/5  rDev +14.7%
This is primarily a catering business. Part of the building is a liquor store. The guy in charge of the liquor store, Larry Emery, is easy to work with. If he doesn't have what you are looking for and you tell him, he will check with his resources to see if he can get it. I appreciate the willingness and friendliness. They sell beers that you can't get anywhere else in southern Illinois. They have worked hard to get things off the ground and I'm glad to have them around. Larry is just as eager to sell good beer as he is to expand his knowledge of good beer. So, if you know beer - I mean really know good beer - then stop by and see Larry.
Mar 26, 2009
Kindling Spirits & Grill in Carterville, IL
Place rating: 4.36 out of 5 with 7 ratings