Evergreen Farm Brewing
1179 Douglas Road
Metamora, IL 61548
EvergreenFarmBrewing.com

Friday & Saturday: Noon-10 p.m.
Sunday: 1-5 p.m.

History in short: A few paragraphs won’t do it justice, as this farm has been in Adam Sommer’s family for some five generations. Adam, who grew up on the farm and had moved back into the farmhouse in 2017 with a new math degree, had only been brewing beer for three years when he arrived at the idea to convert the remaining 20 acres of what was once a 225-acre family farm into a brewery. Evergreen Farm Brewing opened in 2021. 

“My kids didn’t have anything to tie them to the family history on the farm, and my wife and I liked going to different breweries and wineries and venues out in the county, so the idea kinda grew on us,” says Sommer, whose great grandfather made his own wine and beer in the cellar. 

The small taproom is housed in what used to be the farm’s wash house, and the nearby tasting room is the former farm shop, where century-old planting and harvesting tools serve as authentic decor.

The space: Things are cozy at Evergreen Farm Brewing, and that’s part of what makes it so unique. The small taproom is housed in what used to be the farm’s wash house, and the nearby tasting room is the former farm shop, where century-old planting and harvesting tools serve as authentic decor and a wood stove keeps patrons toasty warm. 

Sommer tells us they are adding a heated greenhouse this fall, as well as spacious patios in front and back of the farmhouse. Don’t forget to check out the two “hopzebos,” where hops are growing up the sides of gazebos that are laden with lights. You’re welcome to tour the farm while enjoying a cold beer, too, of course.

Interesting note: Several of the ingredients for Evergreen’s beer recipes are sourced from the farm, including basil, sage and even honey, from which they’ve propagated yeast to do a wild ale. They also make it a point to support other family farms, as they get their grain from Sugar Creek Malt Company in Indiana and cheese for snack trays from a fifth-generation Illinois farm. 

Several of the ingredients for Evergreen’s beer recipes are sourced from the farm, including basil, sage and even honey.

What we’re eating and drinking: Evergreen offers popcorn and snacks, and food trucks make regular appearances on weekends. As for the beer, a fan favorite is an amber called Heritage Ale that is brewed with bloody butcher corn. Coming up on the menu soon is Almost Like Thanksgiving, a strong ale loaded with ingredients from the farm. 

Small farms were once thriving and a big part of the economy, and our answer is to hold on to that idea and give people a glimpse of what that lifestyle used to be like.” — Owner Adam Sommer

On the horizon: Sommer is excited to work on a collaboration with Analytical Brewing (Lexington, IL) on a smoked black IPA that is currently available at both breweries. Sommer is also experimenting with a 100-gallon copper kettle to grow a burgeoning wood-fired brewing project. Also in the works: a brick oven for pizza, wood-fired grill, and possibly turning old grain bins into Airbnb suites.

From the brewery: “We want it to be unique as we carry on the family farming history. Small farms were once thriving and a big part of the economy, and our answer is to hold on to that idea and give people a glimpse of what that lifestyle used to be like. A destination brewery is the goal, and we’re continuing to build on that.” — Owner/brewer Adam Sommer