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Ogle County Brewery to open in Oregon this fall

Microbrewery will have ‘something for everyone’

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When Joshua Skinner and Brian Wynn first discussed opening a microbrewery late last year, they were joking.

“Earlier this year, we thought it could be good for us and the community,” Wynn said. “We got serious in February.”

Now the pair and their third business partner, Mike Basciak, are working to get Ogle County Brewery open this fall in Oregon’s old National Clothing building on the corner of Illinois 64 and Illinois 2.

The microbrewery is slated to open in October or November. The city approved its liquor license at a meeting last month.

“We’re passionate about brewing beer on a large scale that we can share with others,” Skinner said. “More than sitting around with friends and family, but the entire community. There will be something for everyone.”

The beer that Ogle County Brewery produces will be organic. Its products will include blueberry blondes, porters and IPAs. Skinner and Wynn are particularly passionate about “old-school” authentic German beers.

Skinner has been brewing beer in his garage for many years. His capacity there is 24 gallons at a time. In the new operation, the owners will be able to brew in four five-barrel systems.

Liquor and wine will be served at Ogle County Brewery as well. There will be games to keep people entertained. The plan for food has yet to be devised.

“We’ll have some sort of variety of food,” Wynn said. “Finger food-type stuff will be first. We’ll be teaming up with local restaurants. In the future, we’re not sure where it’ll go. We want to help the other businesses around us.”

Skinner and Wynn are longtime county residents. Skinner manages several companies both in Illinois and Florida. Wynn has a construction background and works for Thrivent Financial. Basciak is a Florida resident.

The ownership group looked around for locations and thought about building something new before talking to Oregon Mayor Ken Williams, who informed them about the old National Clothing building, owned and renovated by Mark Gale and Kevin Wiegmann.

Skinner said it was love at first sight with the building that dates back to the 1800s. Wynn agreed.

“The owners want to keep it historical,” Wynn said. “When we approached them they were enthusiastic and partnered with us on our vision. We need it operational, but we also like the historical aspect.”

Williams and the city are excited about the new business, with it filling one of the last open downtown storefronts. TIF money has been made available to Ogle County Brewery.

“It’s going to be a very interesting spot,” Williams said. “We hope to attract new business downtown. People go on microbrewery tours. Sometimes you need something to get things started.”

The microbrewery plans to have around 10 employees, Wynn said. It will start on a revolving basis, which could change depending on where the COVID-19 pandemic stands during opening.

The ownership group said it has discussed the risks of opening a new business during the pandemic, but believes it’s equipped to deal with whatever COVID-19 brings its way.

The microbrewery will be selling growlers for customers to take home and it plans to have canning at some point.

Financially-speaking, the group isn’t in a hurry to open.

“The way we have things structured and financed, we’re not in a huge rush to make a huge amount of money,” Skinner said. We don’t have loans and percentages. It’s funded in house. We can semi open if we have to.”