In perhaps one of the biggest real estate news stories of the spring, Two Brothers Brewing Company announced Tuesday evening that it had purchsed the former America’s Roundhouse in Aurora. Two Brothers Brewing Company is owned by co-founders Jason and Jim Ebel and currently operates a microbrewery and tap house in Warrenville. Two Brothers has been in operation since 1996 and has been constantly expanding – adding additional capacity and additional types of beer seemingly every year. Two Brothers beers have been distributed all over the midwest and have a cult-like following both at home and abroad for championing rare brewing styles and ingredient combinations.

Two Brothers Brewing Company reportedly paid around $1.1 million for the former Walter Payton’s Roundhouse in Aurora with plans to re-structure the operations there. The brewing company has been operating the Two Brothers Tap House in Warrenville for several years and it has become a prime destination for fans of Two Brothers beers. The addition of the huge America’s Roundhouse to the Two Brothers portfolio will no doubt allow the company to expand both its brewing operation as well as hopefully serve as a second brewpub with a central location to downtown Aurora. The Two Brothers facebook page has been abuzz ever since the announcement with fans of the company cheering the deal.

As I write this, I’m actually sipping on a Cane and Ebel Red Rye Ale brewed with palm sugar and by my taste, the future of the former America’s Roundhouse seems bright. (Hint: Woodman’s in North Aurora sells several types of Two Brothers beers if you want to get a little “preview” of what’s coming to the city) I would also like to send a quick request out to the community: please support our local restaurants! We have some great places to dine in the City of Aurora including Ballydoyle, Comfort Zone Barbeque, Chef Amaury’s Epicurean Affair as well as several others. These places are truely gems in our community and need our support. When the former America’s Roundhouse opens under new management, I would encourage all of my fellow Fox Valley foodies to get out and support the new owners. The Roundhouse is one of those unique destinations that truely adds flavor to the community. We need the Roundhouse and the Roundhouse needs us!