Husband and Wife Make Craft Beer Dreams a Reality in the 'Burbs

Timing is everything for Julia and Patrick Bisch.

The two twenty-somethings had always dreamt of doing something more with their love of craft beer, and last spring, they decided they just couldn’t wait any longer.

“We’re young, if we don’t do it now, we’re going to regret it in the future,” said Julia Bisch.

The Palos native and Stagg graduate, with husband and Lincoln-Way East grad Patrick pitched The Open Bottle —a locally owned craft beer shop and tap room in Tinley Park. Now just months later, the door on their dreams will swing open Jan. 27, at 7101 W 183rd Street, Unit 105.

“We want to provide a real opportunity for customers to comfortably experience the world of craft beer and walk away feeling knowledgeable, and most importantly, curious to come back and explore the craft beer market with us,” Julia Bisch said.

Their love of craft beer began when they lived in the city, Patrick working in IT and Julia in hospitality. They began to ponder business opportunities together, and with south suburban roots, it only made sense to bring their love of brews back home. The two relocated to Orland Park—a happy compromise between her hometown of Palos and his of Mokena.

“We thought our hometown needed something like this,” she said. “We wanted to blend our passions together. We’re young, but ambitious.”

With a surge in local micro-breweries in the suburbs—Tinley’s own 350 Brewing and Hailstorm Brewing Co., and Pollyanna Brewery in Lemont, to name a few—The Open Bottle is designed to prove a way to spread the newer local brews.

“It’s such a unique atmosphere, very close-knit,” Bisch said. “Everyone works together.

The store will also feature eight taps for shoppers to sample the products before purchase. The shop will feature a variety of fresh craft beers, both local and from all over the world. Pollyanna Brewery will be on tap to start, with other local brands also in the lineup. The shop opens Jan. 27 at 10 a.m., with a grand opening celebration planned for Feb. 21.

“It’s helping craft beer out there—there’s not many specialty stores opening in the south suburbs,” Bisch said. “We’re their support team. They brew the beer, we can help sell it to everyone.”

For more information, visit them online or find them on Facebook.

Hours are Sunday noon to 6 p.m.; Monday closed; Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m to 9 p.m.