The Brew Shed: Where Beer and Community Are Crafted

Lisle resident Mark Hedrick knew a cool opportunity when it presented itself, but he had no idea that nearly 20 years later, he would be 90 recipes into crafting his home brew. The Brew Shed, LLC is the name he operates under as he brews his beers in the third bay of his garage.

Hedrick acquired his homebrew kit from friend Craig Johnson of Naperville who tried his hand at few batches and decided he preferred to assist in the process. “It was just as easy to buy beer,” said Johnson, so he gave the kit to Hedrick. However, he has always been on hand to help with the beer making and is a partner in The Brew Shed.

An art major in college but currently working in operations for trading, Hedrick has found a creative outlet. He immersed himself into the art of beer making and read everything he could on home brewing. He joined the American Home Brewers Association, attended micro-brew beer festivals and visited several micro or home brewers who took the time to explain their processes.

“The home brewing community was really welcoming and supportive. They want to see each other succeed,” Hedrick said. “The community aspect is strong.”

Hedrick also invested some time and funds in completing the program at world-renowned World Brewing Academy at Siebels Institute of Technology.

Bob Bridgeman aka “Boiler Bob”  from Oswego, who joined the team two-and-half years ago, is an integral part of the brewing team with Hedrick and partner, Johnson. They not only create and brew, they also grow their own hops for the beers they brew. On the day I visited; they were making beer as a part of the American Home Brewers Association's “Big Brew Day.” They were among more than 5,000 home brewers participating around the world in honor of the day that Congress officially declared in 1988: May 7 is Homebrew Day.

I learned about the process from a very high level from start to my taste-testing sip. Well, you wouldn’t want me to talk the talk if I don’t want the walk, right?

The entire process of brewing can take four to five hours plus the seven-to-10-day fermentation period and another seven to 10 days of rest time in the keg or bottle. From hops to pour, you can expect a three- to four-week turnaround or longer for stronger brews. The most labor intensive aspect is the cleaning and disinfecting required in beer making. More than 75 percent of the time is spent sterilizing the equipment.

On tap and available to sample was the American Brew, Indian Pale Ale, Dark Belgium and, in beer making process, was the Porter. Porter is an anniversary beer with hints of chocolate, coffee, toffee, molasses and nut.

At first sip, you appreciate the depth and characteristics of each beer that supersedes the mass-produced varieties. Honestly, they may have turned me into a craft brew beer snob. Say that three times fast.

“He makes phenomenal beer,” said Vince Vazzano, a Lisle resident. “It’s better than anything you get from a production house and it's nice learning from him.”

Did I mention how healthy craft brew is? It’s incredibly high in vitamin B.

One of the crowd favorite brews is Cherry Wheat. “Unbelievable cherry! It was made with fresh Michigan cherries.

"The best,” says Jody Johnson who was one of several samplers who popped in to delight in Homebrew Day at The Brew Shed. For the under 21 or non-alcohol drinkers, Hedrick made a cherry-flavored soda that also was delicious.

Hedrick connected beer making with his passion for giving back to the community in a unique way with Shed Fest 2010 last summer. More than 200 friends, neighbors and strangers (who quickly became new friends) attended the event where they feasted on grilled foods and Hedrick’s home brews. More than $4,000 was raised for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society in honor of Karen, Craig’s wife, a hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor who has had a clean bill of health for eight years. This year’s Shed Fest is postponed because Hedrick is working on the committee for the Midwest Brewer’s Fest slated for Aug. 27 in Plainfield.  

Hedrick wants The Brew Shed to be a point of destination for craft brew aficionados but, for now, he will brew one keg at a time, surrounded by good friends.

I hope that I will always be one of them.