This article originally published in Shaw Local on January 20, 2022

Through local donor, the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation announced the 2022 scholarship program to help students pursue their dreams and goals of higher education.

Unlike many other scholarship offerings, the foundation also will offer these scholarships to students that are home-schooled.

The Carol and Dick Janko Scholarship for Promising Entrepreneurs will award a total of $7,500 to young entrepreneurs in Starved Rock Country. The scholarship reflects a lifelong commitment to youth, education, economic development and philanthropy. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited university or college for the 2022 school year and be able to demonstrate recent studies, or work-related activities focused on entrepreneurship, and the intent to become an entrepreneur.

The SRCCF included the Internet of Things (IoT) Scholarship for Science, Engineering and Technology presented by Advantech in Ottawa. Two $1,500 scholarships, one for a male student and one for a female student, will be awarded to students who have studied IoT, or have been involved in engineering, science and/or technology at school or in the community, and who will pursue a career in these industries.

The Rising Star Scholarship is available to students residing in La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, Livingston, Marshall or Lee counties who will be pursuing a degree in elementary education at Illinois State University. This scholarship provides a $5,000 award and was established through the SRCCF by Ethel McConnell, a philanthropist and lifelong educator, who taught at Jefferson Elementary School in Ottawa and Marseilles Elementary School.

The Mac-Aero Scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $10,000. Also created by Ethel McConnell, the scholarship is in memory of her late husband, Ed, who was an engineer and an aviation mechanic. He owned Mac-Aero on Boondox Field in Seneca. The Mac-Aero Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior pursuing a degree in aeronautics or aviation.

The SRCCF announced its newest scholarship: One $1,000 Pie It Forward Scholarship, established through the SRCCF by the Tangled Roots Beverage Company in Ottawa for students pursuing a career in hospitality or the culinary arts. The applicant must be enrolled in an accredited, degree-granting college or university, or a licensed trade school program for the following academic year. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 and have the skills and attributes necessary to enter the challenging hospitality or culinary arts industry.

On behalf of the Women Inspired Network of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, the SRCCF will offer one annual scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to assist young women to pursue their dreams through leadership and higher education. The applicant must be a current high school senior; a high school graduate; a home-schooled student who qualifies as a graduate; or a recipient of a GED program with a final score of at least 175. The successful applicant must be willing to serve as a role model in her community to make a difference to young women in her community at large.

Winners of all SRCCF Scholarships are selected by the Foundation’s Scholarship Evaluation Committee. Applications are available at all area high schools, online at www.srccf.org or by calling Cathy at 815-252-2906, ext. 2. Applications will be accepted starting Monday, Jan. 24, and the applications are due by March 31.

This article originally published in the Northern Star on December 12, 2021

DeKalb — Keg & Kernel, a new restaurant by Tangled Roots Brewing Company, opened its doors to the DeKalb community Saturday. The restaurant is perfect for those who love beer and quality food with a DeKalb-inspired twist.

The parent company, Tangled Roots Brewery Company, is based in Ottawa and has four other restaurant locations throughout Illinois, with the possibility of expanding to five in the future. 

Keg & Kernel, located at 106 E. Lincoln Highway, is the third location that Tangled Roots Brewing Company has opened this year, said Amy Anderson, the general manager at Keg & Kernel. The restaurant took over the corner space previously occupied by Tavern on Lincoln.

Tangled Roots Brewing Company names all of their locations after something significant or historical to the area that the restaurant is located in, Anderson said.

For DeKalb, the menu at Keg & Kernel aims to have a variety of dishes that feature corn, one of them being the Pimento Pub Dip, Anderson said.

“We (Keg & Kernel) are considered like an upscale brewpub menu so we have something for everybody,” Anderson said. “If you want to come in and have a burger you can have a burger; if you want to come in and have a steak or you want to have a salmon entree we have that as well.”

The Steak Frittes, Pimento Pub Dip and the Brewmaster BBQ burger are Anderson’s favorite dishes available at Keg & Kernel.

The price range at Keg & Kernel is anywhere from $15 to $35, depending on what is ordered, Anderson said.

Community reaction

On its first day open to the public, initial reviews were positive after its 4 p.m. opening night. 

“I am a huge beerhead myself,” said Al Ferris, a resident of DeKalb. “I was just happy to see this space get filled up again, I think it’s a wonderful location.”

The space, now occupied by Keg & Kernel, has been vacant since Tavern on Lincoln closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scott and Shelly Johnson, both residents of DeKalb, ended up stumbling across Keg & Kernel’s grand opening while out for a walk.

“The food was really good,” Shelly Johnson said. “We had the parsnip veloute soup and the battered fish and chips.”

This article was originally published in the Illinois Valley Times on September 27, 2021

State Sen. Sue Rezin is celebrating Tangled Roots Brewing Company’s recent strong showing at the Great American Beer Festival.

“Congratulations to Scott Struchen and TRBrewing for taking home the bronze with their Sunkissed Blonde in the Fruit Wheat Beer category,” Rezin posted on Twitter.

Of 123 entries in the fruit wheat beer category, the Ottawa-based establishment, which grows its own hops and barley, and sources ingredients for the menus at its brewery and restaurants from local farmers and growers, placed third for its Sunkissed Blonde offering.

This year’s competition, which was held remotely, marked the largest in history with medals awarded in 97 different beer categories covering 175 different beer styles.

The event took place over 17 days and 34 sessions. The contest included 170 judges and some 9,680 beers that were from 2,192 different breweries and all 50 states. The winners were feted during the Craft Brewers Conference that took place in Denver that was also showcased via livestream on The Brewing Network.

This article was originally published in the Northwest Quarterly on October 12, 2021

It’s easy to become immersed, surprised and deliciously satisfied with a visit to the Lone Buffalo by Tangled Roots Brewing Co., 808 LaSalle St., in downtown Ottawa. This traditional, yet innovative brewpub and tap room is near four state parks, including Starved Rock State Park and Buffalo Rock State Park, where three resident bison roam.

The theme continues in downtown Ottawa, where a buffalo mural prominently features at the top of the historic 1888 building’s facade. Inside, the walls are resplendent with buffalo-inspired artwork. Shiny copper kettles, synonymous with the company brand, stand out.

The Lone Buffalo was opened in February 2016 by owners Peter Limburger, a native of Germany, and his wife, Inga Carus.

“They are Ottawa residents and wanted to invest in the downtown area,” says Anna Wright, marketing and experience manager for Tangled Roots Brewing Co. “Peter and Inga enjoy bringing small towns to life by investing in the community. In fact, their motto is ‘Small Towns, Big Ideas.’”

Their commitment to America’s small towns and Ottawa, in particular, helped to set the pace for this thriving, bustling downtown area. The couple’s success there encouraged them to expand and establish Lock & Mule in Lockport, Hangar Two in Glenview, the new Beer Garden at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and the soon-to-open Keg & Kernel in DeKalb.

Ottawa’s The Lone Buffalo is home to the company’s first and main brewery. Its farm-to-foam beer is exclusively brewed using the company’s own hops and barley, which are farmed on nearly 11 acres outside Ottawa. Popular brews include the Devil’s Paintbox IPA, Kit Kupfer Amber Ale and the signature “straight from the farm to the glass” Forty 1 Eighty 8, Illinois’ 100% farm-to-foam ale.

It’s easy to untangle all of the delicious menu options, but it’s a challenge to make a choice from all of the starters, weekly specials, seasonal selections and entrees; many offer ale pairing suggestions to complement the meal.

“Our menu changes often, and so do our favorites,” says Wright. “Currently, a big hit has been the Beer Can Nachos, Brewmaster BBQ Burger, Halfway to Nashville chicken breast and our filet mignon. One thing that is always on our menu at each of our locations is a real fan favorite, the Bison Chili.”

The Bison Chili is made from a mixture of slow-simmered bison, beef and pork, and it’s combined with tomato sauce, white beans, lime crema, pickled red onions, jalapenos and cheddar cheese.

The Lone Buffalo offers brewery tours that include an overview of its modern brewery operations, a history of brewing in Ottawa, and extensive information on its 1888 building. This immersive experience includes a flight of beers.

Also a choice for private events, The Lone Buffalo accommodates occasions like weddings, receptions, baby showers, anniversaries and corporate gatherings. Spaces can seat up to 40 people in a private dining room, 60 in the Tap Room and 80 in The Lounge on the entire second floor. The entire restaurant may also be available for rent.

“We like to say, ‘Come for the beer, stay for the food and return for the experience,’” adds Wright, “but we also hope we will become your favorite contemporary brew spot, too.”