Spotlight on Solemn Oath Brewery: Going strong after 13 years — with locations in Naperville and Chicago — this perennial favorite has always focused on a diverse beer lineup, European-like community experiences, and a belief that the brand is an “unfinished idea”

Solemn Oath Brewery
SolemnOathBrewery.com
1661 Quincy Ave., Suite 179
Naperville, IL
Monday-Thursday 12-10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 12-11 p.m.
Sunday 12-9 p.m.

2919 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL
Sunday-Thursday 12-11 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 12 p.m-12 a.m.

History in short: Solemn Oath founder John Barley grew up in Wisconsin and always seemed to find himself immersed in beer culture. While he was attending college at DePaul University in Chicago, his parents moved to Brussels, Belgium, freeing him up to travel across the pond a fair amount in his early 20s. And that’s where he “learned what beer truly is… and what it could be.”

“We’re talking 100 year-old brewing institutions that are engrained in these historic communities, and there are just so many wonderful experiences to be had with beer,” Barley tells us. “I remember exploring these cobblestone streets and finding these breweries tucked into these little pockets of town.”

It was those community experiences in Europe and then seeing “a kind of second wave of craft brewing with more aggressive ideas,” that did it for Barley. “From there, I saw an opportunity for a story that I wanted to tell, and I got really serious about it,” he says.

We’re in a unique position because we make this tangible product to help celebrate achievements in your professional or personal lives, or to enjoy at home with friends and family. A lot of responsibility comes with that, and we don’t take that lightly.”  — John Barley

In 2012, Barley visited his brother, Joe, in San Diego and together, they visited six breweries in three days and began putting pen to paper to organize a gameplan. Next up: Lots of cold calls and cold emails, reaching out to breweries he respected around the country to ask for advice. “Some of them shared great business plans, helped us get our feet off the ground concept-wise, and have become good friends,” Barley says.

With its large population and an underdeveloped local beer supply, it quickly became clear that west suburban Naperville would make for an ideal location, and the brewery officially opened in 2012. Later, in 2021, Barley added Still Life, a taproom in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood, and a sister brand called Hidden Hand Brewing launched in 2023.

“I’ve always talked about Solemn Oath being this unfinished thing,” Barley says. “And what we’ve been able to do over 13 years is something I’m exceptionally proud of.”

The space: In Barley’s opinion, it was a no brainer in choosing Naperville, the hub of the western suburbs, and its nightlife-seeking community as a home. “Our brand has always been a badge for Naperville, but we’ve always been very connected to Chicago as well, and we wanted to bring a little bit of the city to the western suburbs,” Barley says. “I view that as part of our job, and the community has been so welcoming and so supportive.”

Tucked away in an industrial corridor, the Naperville location offers a garage-like bar area, larger lounge (with tanks as the backdrop) and a spacious and versatile year-round patio, complete with tents, bonfires and picnic tables.

Solemn Oath’s Still Life taproom in Chicago’s Logan Square has a stylish design that combines European influences with elements of a classic northwoods Wisconsin dive bar. In other words, a perfect blend of Barley’s upbringing.

The Still Life taproom in Chicago’s Logan Square, meanwhile, has a stylish design that combines European influences with elements of a classic northwoods Wisconsin dive bar. In other words, a perfect blend of Barley’s upbringing. The highlight is a U-shaped brass bar, and it’s not uncommon to see birthday parties, families, charity events and dogs here.

“Still Life is a nice bridge for us as a brewery to satisfy those who are looking for our best, brightest and freshest beers, and a kind of friendly corner bar for those who live in Logan Square,” Barley says.

Solemn Oath’s Still Life taproom in Chicago

Interesting notes: Barley, who came from a non-profit marketing background, is in seriously rare company as a brewery owner who — Are you ready for this? — never home brewed and never even did a test batch prior to launching the business. True story.

“Our first time brewing was when we started with the first batches for Solemn Oath,” he admits.

Also noteworthy: When it opened in 2012, Solemn Oath became the first production brewery to serve Naperville since the 1880s.

What we’re drinking: Lots of diversity runs throughout the beer lineup at Solemn Oath, ranging from Belgian quads to hazy IPAs and barrel-aged stouts.

“We like mixing it up a little bit between what’s hot at the moment and our best interpretation of classic European styles that have been around for hundreds of years,” Barley says.

Flagship beers of the Solemn Oath brand include the Lu kolsch (you can get $5 drafts of this every day at both spots) and Snaggletooth Bandana IPA, but a few of our favorites from a recent visit included Superior Firepower (a foeder-aged dark Czech lager), Gold Room hazy double IPA, With Random Precision (one of the best hazies we’ve had this year) and Many Roads to Follow, a silky smooth bourbon barrel-aged stout with salted caramel and vanilla.

Keep an eye out for an anticipated red ale collaboration with More Brewing called Ori that will be out in April. Also, Oubliette, a Belgian pale ale that was officially batch No. 1 for them 13 years ago, was recently re-released to the public for another go-round.

On the horizon: Still Life will be getting a patio this summer in Chicago, where they also host Bang Bang Bingo with the popular Bang Bang Pie Shop once a month. Also, May 31 is Oath Day, the brewery’s massive annual anniversary party in Naperville.

From the brewery: “Solemn Oath, for me — and I feel reinforced with this now 13 years in — is this unfinished idea. As we’ve constantly told our story and searched and found our place, that unfinished element is still very much a part of it all. … In this industry, from artist to beer maker, we’re in a unique position because we make this tangible product to help celebrate achievements in your professional or personal lives, or to enjoy at home with friends and family. A lot of responsibility comes with that, and we don’t take that lightly. We’re constantly learning, constantly evolving. And while we aim to make world-class beer, more importantly, we like to surround ourselves with world-class people.”

— Owner John Barley