Brewmaster is ready for customers

PUTNAM — After decades of serving the residents of Putnam and Bureau counties, the establishment on Route 29, known by most as Brewmaster, has become something of an institution. It recently reopened under new manager and chef, Jacqueline Tierney. While there will be many recognizable features to both the building and the menu, much has changed.

Among other things, a wall has been removed; new flooring has been installed throughout; and the kitchen was completely renovated. The original, copper-topped bar was retained, but it was treated to extensive polishing in order to restore the original luster. It was also extended and the bar stools were reupholstered in their original style and material by the shop which did them originally.

“People have been taken aback when they walk in. Everything is up to code, we didn’t want to be grandfathered in. There was so much to be done. We didn’t want to put another Band-aid on another Band-aid, so we started from scratch and gutted everything,” said Tierney.

Tierney has long standing ties to both Brewmaster and Putnam County. She spent her childhood summers at Lake Thunderbird with her grandparents, and they’d frequently visit Brewmaster.

“They used to have penny slot machines at the tables. I was 5 years old and playing for root beer and free cigarettes. It was a different time,” said Tierney.

Tierney has consistently been a part of the culinary world since she was 16. She began in high school by working in extracurricular programs and placed in national cooking competitions. After high school she received training from a French-trained chef and is now bringing her expertise back to Brewmaster.

“It’s beyond bar food. I hand cut all my steaks every day, and the burgers are all certified Angus. All my sauces are from scratch, and nothing is just pulled out of the freezer and dropped; it’s all fresh. We’ve also had homemade soups, fresh baked cookies and homemade ice cream sandwiches,” said Tierney.

There are also new weekly features, as well as some old favorites returning to the menu.

“They used to do a whole catfish, blackened or fried, and I brought it back. Two of my best sellers are the Thanksgiving sandwich and the pork tenderloin sandwich, but it’s not your typical tenderloin though. Our shrimp linguine in a butter white wine sauce went over really well. I might bring that one back, I was shocked at how well it did. I was trained in French cuisine, so that’s what I’m used to. Butter, garlic and wine, those are the three main ingredients in French cuisine,” said Tierney.

Those who love brunch will be pleased to read that Tierney is considering starting a menu style Sunday brunch.

“There’s not many places around here that do brunch, but I love it,” said Tierney.

Brewmaster is located at 7973 Illinois Highway 29 in Putnam. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday and is open on Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are available. For more information, call 815-437-2263.