It’s Oktoberfest in Galena!! Live music (polka anyone?), food, and of course some great local Ales. I’m thinking the beer stein endurance contest might be entertaining. Fun starts Sat. Oct. 1 at 10a.m. I’ll be there looking for some good video, so bring it! Go to the Galena Lions website for details.

Warren and Kathy Bell opened the doors to The Galena Brewing Company as recent as July 2010. But, Galena’s love affair with stout began long before that…

In the early 1800’s when the lead mining industry was booming, Galena was home to nine breweries, which are represented as the nine stars in the Galena Brewing Company logo. After the prohibition era the original Galena Brewing Company gave Galena its own local beer label once again, and was the last brewery standing. They closed their doors in 1938, and Galena would be without their own local label for the next 72 years…

Warren and Kathy arrived in Galena in 2003 as owners of Captain Harris Guest House. Sharing the history of Galena with their guests must have fueled a fire in them because it was during this time their desire to end the beer brewery drought in Galena grew. They launched a local beer label brewed to their recipes in Wisconsin in 2009, and in July of 2010, they brought it to Main Street, while tipping their hat to the original Galena Brewing Company by taking their name.

The Galena Brewing Company says “Come along to the Galena Brewery to taste our offering of 6 delicious beer styles and a delectable tapas menu proudly made with local ingredients by local folks right here in Galena”.

October is just around the corner and what would October be without Oktoberfest. Come on down to Galena Brewing Company October 1^st and celebrate the return of a local Galena brew.

Galena Brewing Company hosts numerous events throughout the year so check out their really cool website and come on down!

I don’t know about you, but I’d like to say cheers to Warren and Kathy for bringing a local brew back home to Galena! I will be seeing you soon….

There are so many cool stores and shops on Main Street in Galena, but Poopsie’s is one of my faves! It’s a quirky name, with quirky (the cool kind of quirky) products – for both kids and grown-ups! Alana, co-owner of Poopsie’s says if you can’t make it to Galena, check out the Poopsie’s website. When people ask you where on earth did you find that?, You can say “I found it at Poopsie’s”! Seriously, check out this video and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Thanks Alana for the video!
 

Looking for a delectably delicious way to beat the heat in Galena this summer? Check out Main Street Gelato Bar for some sweet, soothing coolness served up with a side of small town friendly service. I sat down with co-owner Angela DeVere, who I found quite charming and engaging, for a chat. See what Angela has to say, and then head out to the Main Street Gelato Bar – the chocolate looked exceptionally chocolaty and yummy! And visit their website and FB page while you’re at it…

Robert and Joyce Lawlor started making wine in the 1970’s in McGregor, Iowa. In 1978 the family opened a second winery in LaCrosse, WI. In 1985, the Lawlors opened the newly restored 1840’s granary building on Main Street in Galena. 5,000 gallons of wine were produced in the first year. By 1990, the family decided to focus production solely in Galena and closed the Iowa and Wisconsin wineries. It was at this time the Lawlors began growing experimental grapes just outside of Galena. In 2002 and again in 2008 Christine Lawlor-White was awarded the “Winemaker Of The Year” award by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vinters Association. In 2004 Galena Cellars opened a Tasting Room and Gift Shop in Galena.

2011 Vineyard Tour Schedule

Today, three generations of Lawlors invite you to experience Galena Cellars first hand. You can take a tour of the vineyard and visit the beautiful Vineyard Tasting Room and gift shop and sample Galena Cellar’s finest wines. You can even stay at the vineyard in a cozy guest suite above the tasting room or in the guest house.