Illinois GA Airport Unveils New Brew
IL – The brewery, which has two other locations in the area (all within a 45-mile radius), celebrated the tapping of its Wheelz Up IPA on Thursday, February 23, which it is advertising as the “first beer brewed in a general aviation airport.” The ale was brewed on-site at its airport location. The airport is one of the busiest airports in Illinois, after Chicago O’Hare and Midway.
Abby Ancell, the managing partner for the brewery, says it is a relatively new business—it’s been just under nine years since the first location opened. “We’re all cyclists,” she said of the business’s owners. “And when we opened our first location, it was really a spot for us to drink craft beer and eat good food. There weren’t a lot of craft breweries anywhere in southern Illinois at the time.”
The planning process started five years ago, concurrent with the development of a new terminal at the airport. The pandemic delayed the brewery’s opening, but it came about in May 2022. “He came to us with this offer we couldn’t refuse,” Ancell said with a chuckle. “He felt there was no better way to bring [these community groups] together than food and beverage. Everyone likes to eat!” In addition, he saw it as an economic development opportunity for the airport. “They have been wonderful to work with,” Ancell said of the airport staff. “Just being in on how their vision and how they’re continuing to expand is amazing.”
For aviators who want to sample the brewery’s cocktails or craft brews, there are plenty of options for lodging and exploring the region. “We are right in the heart of Shawnee National Forest, and it’s truly one of the most beautiful places in the country,” Ancell said. “I mean—waterfalls, great hiking, little towns full of character, and boardwalks are just 20 minutes away. And Carbondale is a unique, funky college town.” Southern Illinois, University School of Aviation, trains students at KMDH, “so we get to watch their students and other pilots in training fly all day long, and it’s inspiring to see these young people with all this responsibility and passion,” said Ancell. Many of the students work part-time for St. Nicholas to help offset the cost of their training. In fact, almost all of the staff members are SIU students, Ancell said.
This adds another link with members of the Carbondale community, who come in to eat and get to talk to student pilot servers about aviation. “They’re so interested in this world,” Ancell said of the locals. “The students love talking about [aviation], and the guests love hearing about it, so it’s a win-win for everybody.”