The Women's EmPORTERment Project

At our brewery in St. Charles, we’ve been lucky enough to find ourselves surrounded by a strong group of women, some who are employed here, and others who support us at home and behind the scenes.

This year for International Women’s Day, many of these ladies gathered to brew a beer of their own design to raise awareness for the local St. Charles/Geneva/Batavia branch of Zonta International. With their objectives of “improving the legal, political, economic, educational, health and professional status of women at the global and local level through service and advocacy,” Zonta’s ideals align heavily with ours at Riverlands.

The result of our women’s brew day releases this Friday, April 23. Women’s EmPORTERment is an American porter brewed with toffee, almond, and cacao nibs. At 7.2% ABV, this rich, chocolaty porter is our homage to the Heath brand candy bar, and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Once canning is complete on 4/23, 4-packs will be available to-go at our St. Charles brewery or available for pre-order and curbside pickup at: bit.ly/riverlands. We’ll also have the beer on draft.

A portion of the profits from each 4-pack and draft sold will go to our local Zonta West club. We hope this humble donation will help empower local women in their daily and professional lives in some way.

Want to get involved? Learn more about donating time, talent, or funds at: https://www.zontawest-sgb.org/donate.

Two Years in the Making: Kayak Pils

You might notice a bit of a change in our house pilsner this time around. What was once Yellow Kayak is now simply Kayak Pils. Why the change you ask? There are a couple reasons.

First, we haven't brewed a single batch of Yellow Kayak the exact same way twice.

It started off far more hoppy, and we’ve progressively sought more balance as time went on. After a while, the changes we continued to want to make to this beer were bringing it outside of the basic profile we'd established for it. It just didn't make sense to call it the same name.

Secondly, we knew we could do better.

We've put a heavy emphasis on lager brewing so far in 2021. We love these beers, and we've tirelessly researched (and taste tasted) them. German-style Pils specifically has been the beer we've most sought to perfect. We've adjusted our recipes, equipment, water profile, and most importantly our entire fermentation process for lagers to bring you the best versions of these beers we can brew.

That brings us to Kayak Pils.

I can't begin to describe the amount of love and attention that has been poured into the most subtle nuances of this beer. Did we reinvent the wheel here? Far from it. This tastes like a classic German Pils brewed with Hallertau hops, premium German Pilsner malts, and a quality German lager yeast. My German grandmother would be proud. We love this beer, and I sincerely hope you all do too.

Order a Kayak slow-pour style for the full Pils experience. Keep an eye out for more tasty lagers coming your way soon in addition to our usual output of tasty hops, stouts and sours.

- Eric, Head Brewer

Riverlands Hoodies Ready for Pre-Order

Winter is here, the air is crisp and chilly, and you’re going to need to new threads to keep out the cold. We’ve got you covered…in a variety of fresh colors!

Starting on Black Friday, we’re taking pre-orders on these incredibly comfy Augusta 60/40 fleece hoodies in a variety different colors. Look through the gallery below and then head to our online shop and select the size and color you’d like.

NOTE: You are PRE-ORDERING these hoodies. Pre-orders begin Friday, Nov 27, and will end Weds, December 2, at midnight. All pre-orders will then be tallied and the order sent ASAP. We expect to receive the hoodies about two weeks later, around Friday, Dec 17, just in time for the holidays. We will contact buyers when they are ready for pick-up.

Features:

• Jersey-Lined Hood

• Front Kangaroo-Style Pocket

• Rib Knit Cuffs and Bottom Band

• Tear Away Label

Black with White Logo

Charcoal Heather with Black Logo

Cardinal with White Logo

Carbon Heather with White Logo

Dark Green with White Logo

Gold with Black Logo

Graphite with Black Logo

Maroon with White Logo

Navy with White Logo

Orange with Black Logo

Power Blue with White Logo

Purple with White Logo

Red with Black Logo

Royal Blue with White Logo

Vegas Gold with Black Logo

The Taproom is (Partially) RE-OPENING

Hey, everyone. In case we haven’t mentioned it lately, we are extremely grateful for the support and love you’ve shown us over the past few months. We literally wouldn’t be here without all of the online orders that helped us stay afloat. Thank you.

Now for the good news: starting Friday, June 26, our taproom will be partially reopened! We will now be able to offer indoor and outdoor seating (weather pending) AND continue online sales for curbside pick-up (bit.ly/riverlands).

We’re excited to have people back inside with us, but there are some important health and safety precautions we need your help with. Check out what we’re doing to make this weekend safe and fun for as many people as safely possible.

• We are now back to welcoming all ages in the taproom. We politely ask that if you bring children or anyone under 21 that they remain seated with your party at all times.

• Hours for the taproom AND beer garden are 12pm to 10pm, Sunday - Thursday and 12pm to 11pm Friday and Saturday.

• Entry may sometimes be through the beer garden only - please look for signage on the front door. When arriving to sit in the beer garden, please wait to be seated by a beertender to make sure you’re given a sanitized table. Our beer garden will be open weather pending.

• Tables are first come, first served, no reservations. Parties are limited to eight (8) or fewer, depending on table size. Indoor seating will be limited and tables/chairs cannot be moved or combined for larger parties.

• Masks MUST be worn any time you are not seated. That includes going to the restroom and standing in line to order. This isn’t a debate, if you forget then we will ask nicely to put it back on when walking around to order or go to the bathroom. We reserve the right refuse service if someone refuses to wear a mask and will be asked to leave.

• Both Indoor and outdoor seating will have self-service at the left side of the bar, socially spaced appropriately. Please follow the signs and floor markings for the beer line and wear your mask.

• If you’re seated inside the taproom, please remain at your table except to order, use the restroom, or leave. Please to not float from table to table or change tables without discussing with a server. There will be NO standing room inside or seats at the bar itself.

• We have started accepting cash again but very much prefer you use electronic payments to keep things cleaner (credit/debit/etc.)

• Outdoor food will be permitted at times when a food truck is not on premise. See our event page for details. Please dispose of your garbage when finished.

• Remember: if you feel sick at all or have been exposed to COVID, please stay home.

Thank you in advance for your patience while we get used to these changes and for following these simple rules to help things go smoothly. We really only get one shot at doing this right.

Our St. Charles Beer Garden is Here.

First off, thank you all for your continued support over the past few months. You never cease to amaze us and we can't wait to raise a pint with you.

Now for the big news: 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 in St. Charles next to our taproom starting tomorrow, 5/29, at noon. It will be pretty bare bones for now, but we'll continue to add to it as we're able to.

That said, there are a lot of details to be aware of, so if you plan to join us outside, please read this post to its entirety.

Please note that our 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐫-𝐭𝐨-𝐠𝐨 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄 through our online store (𝐛𝐢𝐭.𝐥𝐲/𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬). If you'd rather take beer home to consume it, this is your best option.

𝑹𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑮𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑹𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔:

- 𝐍𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝, 𝐧𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

- 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝟏𝟐𝐩𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝟖:𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦, 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐬 - 𝐒𝐮𝐧. 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝟖𝐩𝐦.

- 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞. Do NOT enter the taproom main entrance.

- 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝. Limit 6 guests per table, do not move or combine tables or bring your own chairs. No reservations or saving tables for friends.

- 𝐈𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥, 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲. Those who choose to wait must remain outside of the beer garden and abide by social distancing guidelines.

- 𝐁𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠. If bad weather is forecast or on its way, we may decide to remain closed or close early.

- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐞/𝐯𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞. Smoking is allowed on the north side of the front sidewalk near the cigarette butt receptacle.

- 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝟗𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 to allow more people to enjoy the beer garden. When you're finished drinking, you may be asked to move along.

- 𝐍𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. We will be serving 10oz or 16oz pours in recyclable cups or cans only.

- Credit card, touch-less payments only, no cash.

- 𝐍𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝/𝐛𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬. You MAY bring your own water bottles, but only filled with H₂O.

- 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨-𝐠𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚.

- 𝐃𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐫. All orders will be taken at your table.

- 𝐓𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬. Masks must be worn when not seated, especially inside the taproom.

- 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 of at least 6 feet from other parties

- 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. Tables will be disinfected between use.

We understand these rules aren't ideal for everyone, and we can't wait to get things back to a more normal state. Until then, we ask you to respect our business decisions and liquor license as we make do with what we have.

Anyone who chooses to not abide by these rules will be asked to leave the property immediately. 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫...𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬.

When things change, we'll let you know. Until then, cheers, friends.