Rich with history, special touches, this Alton restaurant offers more than a great menu
Regular readers of my columns will already know that I’m a fan of The Old Bakery Beer Company in Alton.
The husband and I go there on occasion for a meal and to sample the beer. I also took my mom there for lunch once when we visited some of the antiques places nearby.
I look for reasons to head up there. If there’s some business news to report anywhere in the area, I will make the drive, stopping at Old Bakery Beer for lunch whenever possible.
I realize that the drive up to Alton may seem like bit of a haul to some of our readers, but I still encourage folks to make the trip.
Prompted by the recent release of Old Bakery Beer’s new seasonal menu (more on that later), I decided to reach out to the business about writing one of my detailed features in order to take readers inside.
(Because that’s how badly I want others to check out this place I enjoy. Plus, I wanted another excuse to get the food.)
For those who still need that last little nudge to head up there, well, keep reading because this is it.
I met with Old Bakery Beer co-founder, Lauren Pattan, who opened the business with her husband James Rogalsky.
The doors opened in January 2015 and was followed by a grand opening celebration in March.
The Old Bakery Beer Company building is the site of the old Colonial Bakery, which operated from the late 1880s until its closure in the early 1980s.
The building went through multiple changes during that time, including a fire in 1929, multiple remodels, additions and owners, according to the Old Bakery Beer website.
Before entering the historic building, I stopped to take a few photos of the entrance next to the parking lot that includes a patio and seating.
Once inside, I was greeted by the most delicious aroma.
Oh my, I thought, is that chocolate?! Hmm, not quite. But it reminded me of the smell of something chocolate baking.
I found out a little later from Pattan that the smell was from the malted grains in the brewing room.
After that heavenly greeting, I proceeded down the hall, which is lined with the brewing room’s windows on one side and exterior windows on the other. Many plants line the walkway.
Pattan said most of the plants are temporary and just staying for the winter.
That started when someone asked to house his outdoor plants there during the winter months. Think of it as an airbnb for plants, or as Pattan calls it, a long-term care facility for plants.
Now multiple people bring their plants to Old Bakery Beer to wait out the frigid temps.
Some of the plants live there permanently though, and I’m sure they enjoy the extra company while they have it.
Strings of lights glowed overhead all the way down. At one point, I came to a couple of chairs and a table. You can sit there and see the action in the brewing room.
Room to roam, play and hang
At the end of the hall there’s an entrance to a large space where the brick walls peek out from behind coats of faded and peeling yellow and black paint. A metal spiral staircase stands in one corner.
An old wagon displays old bottles, labels and other memorabilia from past Alton businesses, including Colonial Bread.
One wall features a vintage Colonial Bakery sign that was found at one of the local shops in 2014.
Other wall art includes historic photos, screen prints, framed maps and even a framed Colonial Bread bag.
There’s a shuffleboard table, some sculptural pieces and a notice board. There is a Good as Gold vending machine where folks can purchase fun candies, little toys, accessories and “mystery bags.”
There is seating in this area for those who want a different view or a quieter place to enjoy food, beverages or each other’s company.
The Restaurant & Bar
At the other end of this space is the restaurant and dining area.
The walls are white brick but not painted like in the previous room. Electrical conduits and boxes are visible, as are water lines and vents overhead.
Huge concrete pillars are dotted throughout the space with one brick pillar near the center of the space.
Some walls have sections coated with chalkboard paint, as do parts of the concrete pillars. These surfaces are chalked with the day’s specials, Wi-Fi info, and instructions on where to go to place an order.
Tables with distressed wooden tops are set up throughout the open space with metal chairs that are more comfortable than they look.
Most of the tables seat four, but some are large enough to accommodate up to 10 guests. Smaller tables can also be pushed together for larger groups.
The tables are numbered with painted, sawed-off vintage rolling pins.
Pattan said they found a bucket full of them at one of the local antique shops. Some of them were also used to make the beer tap handles.
The non-brick walls have murals painted on them.
Pattan said her sister-in-law, Lauren Rogalsky, is the resident artist and paints things often.
The wall that separates the kitchen from the dining area is painted a bright blue with white waves representing the river and a yellow sun rising above. The words “Cheers Alton” greets guests as they come to place their orders.
Also on that wall are shelves of branded merchandise, mainly T-shirts and hats. Stickers, jewelry and other accessories are also available.
Further down are wooden shelves that display a variety of branded beer glasses and mugs. A cooler holds “Cold Beer To Go” that people can buy can in four-packs and mixed four-packs.
The bar stretches from one end of the room to the other, with one end for placing orders and the other for hanging out and enjoying Old Bakery Beer’s offerings.
Check out a beer flight. It’s presented in a bread tin with a branded and numbered wooden glass holder inserted in it.
Spotting the upcycled items at Old Bakery Beer can be a lot of fun.
What’s on the menu
As far as the food goes, there is always something for everybody (totally looking at you, fellow veg people).
Pattan said they try to be as inclusive as possible by offering a good number of vegetarian and vegan options in addition to the other great menu items. (She and James Rogalsky were both vegetarian at one time.)
Much of the menu includes regular items, like the daily specials (burgers, pizza, fish, fried chicken sandwiches), signature sandwiches (Cuban, Reuben, The Murray and more) and some of the appetizers, or snacks.
As for new items, Old Bakery Beer recently released its winter menu.
New eats include Nashville Hot Fried Cheese (spicy bites of fried cheddar and monterey jack served with hot ranch for dipping), the Italian Stallion salad and new burger options.
Then there are the seasonal sandwiches and burritos. The current items are all named after “Friends” characters.
As a fan of the show, could I be more excited?
For sandwiches, you can choose:
Phoebe: sweet soy glazed tofu with lettuce, kimchi, onion, gochujang aioli served on a bun. (I ordered this vegan-friendly sandwich for the road. It’s spicy, delicious and appropriately named – Phoebe’s a vegetarian);
Joey: santa maria tri tip, smoked turkey, bacon, provolone and lemon artichoke mayo on sourdough;
Monica: chicken shawarma with tomato, onion, lettuce and yogurt sauce on pita;
Chandler: crispy fried shrimp, lettuce, tomato, onion and remoulade on a french roll;
Ross: cream cheese, smoked gouda, cheddar and jalapeño jam on sourdough.
Then you have two burrito options:
Rachel (It’s no longer just a haircut): lemongrass chicken, black rice, pickled carrot, onion and peppers with cilantro sour cream on a flour tortilla;
Gunther: chickpea curry, rice, spinach and cucumber mint sauce on a flour tortilla. (I also ordered this one to go, and it is amazing!)
Pattan admitted the “Friends” names were last-minute, but they are totally fun.
Head chef Matthew Cooper started naming menu items after random celebrities, she said. Now all of the seasonal items get fun names.
Past names included Bob Barker, Matthew Perry, Julie Andrews and Chris Evans.
As you can see with the current menu, it’s not just celebrities either. Items are named after fictional characters too. Previous offerings included Indiana Jones, Jack Burton, Lloyd Dobler.
The menu changes every 3-4 months, with half of the items changing and the other half staying the same.
Pattan said they do their best to use locally sourced ingredients, depending on what’s in season and available at the time.
On the beer front, the raw grains used to make Old Bakery’s various beers are grown throughout Central Illinois, according to Pattan.
The malted barley is grown throughout the midwest and processed in Wisconsin.
Old Bakery Beer makes certified organic craft beers and offers a wide selection for beer drinkers of all types.
If you aren’t sure what to try, the staff can make recommendations based on your preferences.
There is also a selection of wines, cocktails, some non-alcoholic beers, soft drinks and Herbarium sparkling herbal teas, which are made by Old Bakery Beer in collaboration with Flourish Farmstead.
Events at the brewery
Old Bakery Beer also offers space for private events, such as wedding receptions, corporate parties and other gatherings.
The space has the same feel as the rest of the building and can accommodate 100 people.
A catering menu is available for buffet-style service. Choose a taco bar, sandwich bar or a complete dinner buffet. A la carte options and bar packages are also available.
Old Bakery Beer also hosts public events that include vendor markets, beer tastings, game nights, the Riverbend Earth Day celebration and Drink for a Cause fundraising events.
Every month Old Bakery Beer hosts Drink for a Cause to help raise money for an area organization.
Customers can round up at the register each day to support the month’s chosen organization. Then on the third Thursday of the month, Old Bakery Beer donates 25% of the day’s beer and Herbarium sales.
January’s organization is Overnight Warming Locations, which provides sanctuary on the coldest nights of the year in Alton and Edwardsville.
February’s cause will be the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center.
On Feb. 11, Old Bakery Beer hosts the Galentine’s Market, a Valentine’s Day-themed vendor market that’s a great opportunity for a girls’ day out.
From 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., guests can enjoy themed drinks while shopping with the girls. It’s also an opportunity to find a Valentine’s gift for your gal.
Then on Thursday, Feb. 22, Old Bakery Beer celebrates Robert Wadlow’s 106th birthday.
To mark the occasion, the brewers are working on a new rye IPA named after the Alton Giant called Robert’s Rye.
There will also be live music and commemorative merch available for purchase.
The calendar of events can be found on the Old Bakery Beer website and Facebook page.
A fun place to visit
The building still has the feel of the old bakery (especially when the scent of malted barley is in the air). And the place hasn’t changed too much since opening nine years ago.
Pattan said that sometimes it all feels slow going, but that in another 5-10 years from now, they’ll be amazed at how much it has changed.
When asked if business in general is slow in winter, Pattan said that it varies year to year.
Last winter, there were enough sunny days to draw people out to enjoy the Great River Road, neighboring businesses, and eagle watching.
This year’s weather hasn’t cooperated so far, so things are a little slower, said Pattan.
But it’s a chance to take a post-holiday breather and to mix things up a little.
She said they add new touches as they go, spruce things up and try to keep everything fresh.
The place “gets a lot of love,” said Pattan.
And those small touches are part of what makes The Old Bakery Beer Company fun to visit.
About The Old Bakery Beer Company
The Old Bakery Beer Company is located at 400 Landmarks Blvd., in Alton.
Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday-Tuesday, and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
For more information, call 618-463-1470, visit oldbakerybeer.com or follow the Facebook page.
