Iron Spike Brewing Company

Pretty good size place located in Galesburg, IL. Was in town for JFL and my wife was kind enough to indulge me in a late lunch and a few beers. Lots of beer options. Mostly (if not all) their own but a good range of styles from lagers to pale ales and IPAs as well as porters and stouts. Extensive food menu and my wife and I both enjoyed what we ordered. I will say, and I don't know if it was because the lunch rush should have been over and / or the influx of folks from the JFL game (I saw a few different people there I knew), but the service was definitely on the slower side. That said, our server was super apologetic and great - it just seemed like a long while from being seated to being waited on for drinks. All good though as we were seated outside and it was a beautiful October afternoon. I would stop back in again when in or near Galesburg.

 

Iron Spike is a fairly well established brewery, and they seemed to have a pretty good rotating selection of house beers. Located in a 100+ year old firehouse, the interior was open and airy with a bar along the back left wall. Tv screens around the place, high enough to ignore if you wanted to. We sat at the bar and noticed some cool historical decor along with the old fire station pole still behind the bar.

Service was very good, the hostess and bartender were both friendly and helpful. She gave some recommendations, but not much past the usual "what style do you like" question. We had some conversation about the local places and the new brewery opening soon, "Reserve Artisan Ales". JP should be collecting royalties...

Beer selection was good, though a couple were hit-or-miss quality wise. Hazy IPA was a miss, but the Silk Hat sour ale was pretty good, as were the Oatmeal Stout and Oktoberfest.

Food was the surprise hit, the chicken & biscuits special was excellent, and the black bean burger with fries was good too. Overall it's a great destination in Galesburg, and there are a few shops and historical places nearby to make a day of it.

 

 

 

This place is in a wonderful, old firehouse. A nice amount of parking, and not far from my home. I did not eat the food, but it looked great and the selection was nice. Mother inside accentuated the old fire house, brass pole included. Polished concrete floors. Extremely nice people and knowledgeable. I had the Flatback IPA on draft and the Light Rail Cream Ale. Very good quality, especially when 45 min from home. They were doing a trivia thing and a great mix of people eating dinner and packed the place on a Tuesday night. Great place. They are packaging three beers in cans in my town. I will be back every time I drive past Galesburg on 74.

 

 

 

 

Iron Spike's grand opening was March 8, 2014. It's a wonderful addition to this town of 33,000 people. Now it has four beers and three "guest" beers beers from craft breweries. Bartender Matt told me there will be 10 gallon productions of home brewers. [Didn't happen. They changed plans. 3/2016] I am very eager to taste those.

This is the only brewpub within 45 miles. That alone is wonderful for me.

It's clear that Iron Spike's focus is not on beer. Recorded music is so loud personal talking is difficult. Yelling at friends at the same table is not what I'm looking for. The two times I was at tables I even had to yell to the wait staff. Food is very good. Goes far beyond burgers. [Music not loud now.]

Comparing this place to places I've been in bigger cities is totally wrong. And Iron Spike Brewing Company will get better and better. Even now, it's a place not to miss. -- I'm already a regular customer.

I strongly recommend Iron Spike Brewing Company.