Alligator Head Stolen At Elder Brewing: Amnesty Offered

JOLIET, IL — The Elder Brewing Company has been going strong since opening for business in the 200 block of East Cass Street two years ago. But this week, there's a feeling of frustration in the air. On Wednesday night, Elder Brewing announced on social media that someone removed the alligator head that was kept near the front of the bar.

"We recently noticed that our beloved alligator head has gone missing," the downtown Joliet microbrewery informed its followers on Wednesday night. "While we review our video to try and understand when this was taken, we extend an olive branch to whomever may currently possess said alligator head.

"Bring him back this weekend during our bottle release and we will look the other way."

Why does this alligator head have so much sentimental value to the owners of Elder?

"We actually got this specific alligator head on our honeymoon and would appreciate its safe return," the bar posted on Facebook. "We get it, it's cool looking. You wanted to show it off due to the hype around Chance the Snapper, perhaps. However, our taps are lonely without him."

A number of people reacted to the announcement on the Elder Brewing Facebook page.

Here's a sampling of their comments:

• "We need some street justice!"
• "I hope whoever took it returns it!
• "How did they get it without no one seeing it happen … how terrible."

Elder Brewing is one of two microbreweries operating in Joliet, the other, MyGrain Brewing, is located inside the historic Union Station.