Solemn Oath Brewery: Chicago Area Brewing Born in the American West
Tucked away in an unsuspecting manufacturing lot in Naperville Illinois, Solemn Oath Brewery continuously brews over 100 different craft beers.
Solemn Oath Brewery was founded in May of 2012. According to Solemn Oath’s General Manager of Operations, Erin Lowder, the name of their brewery is derived from Robert Burns’ poem “John Barleycorn.” Lowder said, “S.O.B. President, John Barley, viewed the grain, which was being personified within the poem, as being cultivated for beer instead of bread.” Barley came up with the idea for Solemn Oath on his way home from San Diego after hosting a beer tasting party with his brother.
Solemn Oath brews over 100 beers throughout the year but their four mainstays are: Lü (Kölsch-Style Ale), Old Faithorn (American Pale Ale), Snaggletooth Bandana (American IPA), and End All (Hazy IPA), all of which are offered year-round and are typically their bestsellers. The rest are seasonal and specialty beers. “We're proud of all the beers we put out into the world and we've been fortunate that they've all done well for us,” said Lowder. Solemn Oath taps aren’t an uncommon sight at bars in Naperville and the rest of Chicagoland.
Solemn Oath beers can be found at retail liquor stores in only three states, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. However, to gain access to many of their specialty beers a brewing enthusiast would need to take a visit to the taproom in Naperville. In their six years of starting the company, Solemn Oath Brewers have set yearly production goals. The goal set for 2018 is 7,500 barrels of beer and 10,000 for 2019.
One thing that stands out about Solemn Oath is the artwork featured on their labels. It is unique yet consistent. That’s because it’s all done by one man, Jourdon Gullett. The artwork sometimes feature punk-rock, almost tattoo like, images such as what’s on the Snaggletooth Bandana can which is clad in Mohawk-sporting young men as well as their Belgian-style American Pale Ale which is appropriately titled called “Punk Rock for Rich Kids.” Aside from that, Gullett’s work is featured on Solemn Oath posters, keg labels, and even a custom deck of playing cards.
Solemn Oath’s taproom is open seven days a week and offers very casual tours of their brewery every Saturday afternoon where beer drinkers can grab a pint and take a look at the operation. Since their beers often take weeks to brew, something is being produced at any given time. The tour comes with a beer of the customer’s choice and is given by one of their informative taproom staff.
