Breweries, wineries and taprooms in the Tri-Cities

You do not have to leave the Tri-Cities for a good local pint or a glass of Illinois wine. Between St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia there are taprooms on the river, a brewery with a beer garden, and a winery with tasting rooms in two downtowns. Here are nine spots that are open now, with addresses and hours from their own websites.

St. Charles

Riverlands Brewing Company, 1860 Dean St., Unit A. Riverlands opened its brewery and taproom in 2019. It keeps 16 taps of beer brewed on site, plus hard ciders, seltzers and non-alcoholic options, and there are board games at the tables. There is no kitchen, so it sells local snacks and books food trucks and pop-ups. Seating is first come, first served, and kids are welcome as long as they stay seated with an adult. Open Monday and Tuesday 4 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday through Sunday noon to 10 p.m.

93 Octane Brewery, 1825 Lincoln Highway. 93 Octane brews in St. Charles away from the downtown riverfront. Its site lists hours Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling, 106 S. Riverside Ave. The St. Charles location is both a brewery and a distillery, so you can get a cocktail made with its own spirits as well as a beer. Open Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 10 p.m., Friday 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Mondays are closed for special events.

Alter Brewing + Kitchen, 12 S. First St. This is the full-dinner option on the list. Alter runs a full-service kitchen with wine and spirits alongside its beer, and its patio sits along the Fox River. It takes reservations. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The kitchen closes 90 minutes before the restaurant.

Geneva

Penrose Brewing Company, 509 Stevens St. Penrose does not have a kitchen and invites you to bring food or order in. Its beer of the month for October is Spooky Boots, a hazy IPA. Taproom hours are Tuesday through Thursday 1 to 9 p.m., Friday noon to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Art History Brewing, 649 W. State St. Art History pours lagers, ales and seasonal releases, and has a beer garden. Open Monday through Thursday noon to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Geneva Winery tasting room, 426 S. Third St. Geneva Winery offers tastings of its wines and a small food menu with charcuterie, bruschetta and flatbreads. Open Monday through Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., Friday 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Batavia

Sturdy Shelter Brewing, 10 S. Shumway Ave. Sturdy Shelter's taproom sits next to the Fox River Trail, with river views from the first and second floors. It pours from 18 taps, including two side-pour faucets for lagers and a nitro line for stouts and porters, and it also has wine, house-made sodas and other non-alcoholic drinks. It offers light snacks, and you are welcome to bring your own food. Open Monday 2 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 1 to 10 p.m., Friday noon to 11 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Geneva Winery tasting room, 5 N. River St. Geneva Winery's second tasting room sits on River Street in downtown Batavia. Open Monday through Thursday 3 to 8 p.m., Friday 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Before you go

Several of these taprooms do not serve full meals, so plan on a food truck, takeout or a dinner stop nearby. Hours change with the seasons and for private events, so check a spot's site or social page before you head out. And if you are hopping between towns, line up a sober driver or a ride.