Rhodell Brewery

Rhodell Brewery (officially the John S. Rhodell Brewery) is a craft brewery and taproom located at 100 Walnut Street #111 in the historic Murray Building within Peoria’s Warehouse District along the Illinois River. Founded in 1998 by head brewer Mark Johnstone after relocating from Edinburgh, Scotland to his wife’s hometown of Peoria, it holds the distinction of being the oldest continually operating craft brewery in Peoria and Central Illinois. Originally launched in the nearby River Station building with just three draft lines, the brewery moved to its spacious industrial brick home on Walnut Street in 2015 and now draws locals and visiting beer enthusiasts for its rotating lineup of small-batch house brews and traditional British cask-conditioned real ale.

What to Expect at Rhodell Brewery

Stepping inside the ground-floor corner suite of the restored 1911 Murray Building, visitors encounter exposed brick walls, tall industrial windows, polished wood bar counters, and a direct view of the stainless-steel brewing tanks where every batch is produced on site. Rather than relying on mass-distributed flagships, the taproom features up to 12 rotating draft lines alongside an authentic British beer engine (hand pump) that serves cellar-temperature, naturally carbonated cask ale. Ingredients are sourced directly from classical maltsters and hop growers across the United Kingdom, mainland Europe, and the Pacific Northwest, enabling the brewing team to rotate accurately styled Scottish ales, English bitters, Belgian dubbels and tripels, German lagers, American IPAs, and seasonal fruit sours.

Because Rhodell Brewery operates as a dedicated production brewery and neighborhood pub without an in-house kitchen, the focus remains squarely on beer craftsmanship and relaxed conversation. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food from nearby Warehouse District and Riverfront restaurants or order delivery straight to their taproom table. A shaded outdoor patio along Walnut Street accommodates guests during the warmer months, and visitors can order custom taster flights to sample multiple styles before committing to a full imperial pint or filling a glass growler to take home.

• Traditional British Hand Pump: One of the few taprooms in downstate Illinois pouring true cask-conditioned real ale pulled manually through a classic English swan-neck beer engine at proper cellar temperature.
• 12 Rotating Small-Batch Taps: A constantly evolving chalkboard menu spanning Scottish export ales, oatmeal stouts, hazy and West Coast IPAs, Belgian abbey-style ales, and crisp continental pilsners.
• Historic Murray Building Setting: Housed in Suite 111 of a landmark early-20th-century warehouse featuring heavy timber columns, exposed masonry, and direct sightlines into the working brewhouse.
• Bring-Your-Own-Food Policy: Patrons are welcome to carry in takeout from neighboring downtown eateries or have meals delivered right to the bar or outdoor patio tables.
• Taster Flights & Growler Fills: Sample four or more current releases via customizable tasting paddles, or purchase freshly sealed 64-ounce growlers and brewery merchandise to go.

Rhodell Brewery at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

For a quiet afternoon tasting where you can chat directly with the bartenders and brewers about current malt bills and cask tappings, arrive between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday evenings bring a lively post-work and pre-concert crowd, especially when events are scheduled nearby along the riverfront or at the Peoria Civic Center. No reservations are required for taproom tables or bar stools, and both cash and major credit cards are accepted. Drivers will find convenient angled street parking along Walnut Street, Southwest Water Street, and Southwest Washington Street, while pedestrians can walk along the flat Rock Island Greenway and Peoria Riverfront Trail directly to the Walnut Street intersection.

The ground-floor entrance at the corner of Walnut and Water Streets is step-free, and the single-level taproom features wide concrete aisles, low-top tables, and accessible restrooms suitable for wheelchair users. Because the brewery sits at the gateway between the Warehouse District and the Peoria Riverfront, it pairs effortlessly with nearby cultural stops. The Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Caterpillar Visitors Center are a pleasant 7-minute walk northeast along Water Street, while Dozer Park—home of the Peoria Chiefs minor-league baseball team—lies just six blocks southwest, making Rhodell Brewery an ideal pre-game or post-museum stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours at Rhodell Brewery and when is the best time to visit?

Rhodell Brewery is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Thursday from 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 2:00 PM to 11:30 PM, remaining closed on Sunday and Monday. Early afternoons on weekdays offer the most relaxed setting for guided tasting flights, whereas Friday and Saturday evenings after 6:00 PM provide a bustling neighborhood pub atmosphere.

Does Rhodell Brewery serve food or require table reservations?

Rhodell Brewery does not operate a full kitchen and does not require reservations, seating all guests on a walk-in basis at the bar, indoor tables, and seasonal patio. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food from nearby Riverfront and Warehouse District restaurants or order local food delivery straight to the taproom.

How much time should I budget for a visit to Rhodell Brewery?

Most visitors spend between 1 and 2 hours at the brewery, which leaves ample time to work through a custom taster flight of four or five house beers and follow up with a full pint of cask-conditioned ale. If you are simply stopping by to pick up a freshly filled growler or brewery merchandise, 15 to 20 minutes is sufficient.

Is Rhodell Brewery wheelchair accessible and what is the dress code?

Yes, the brewery occupies a ground-level suite in the historic Murray Building with a flat, step-free street entrance, wide pathways between tables, and ADA-compliant restroom facilities. The dress code is casual and relaxed, welcoming everything from cycling and riverfront walking attire to business-casual evening wear.

When planning your Peoria travel guide or browsing verified nightlife in Peoria, pair this stop with standout local spots including Courtyard Peoria Downtown, Cornerstone Inn, Peoria Historical Society, and The Warehouse on State (0.2 km away).