By Trent Modglin

Mikerphone Brewing Kitchen & Tap
New taproom location: 800 Devon Ave. in Park Ridge
Opening: January/February 2026

Main brewery location: 121 Garlisch Dr. in Elk Grove Village
MikerphoneBrewing.com

How long this addition has been in the works
Park Ridge resident Mike Pallen, who started home brewing from his house back in 2010, opened Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village in 2017. In the eight years since, it’s steadily become one of the state’s most popular breweries, claiming five medals in the U.S. Open Beer Championship and three more at FoBAB, the prestigious Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers, along the way.

While participating in last summer’s Market After Dark event, Pallen credits Park Ridge Alderman Fred Sanchez for introducing him to Mayor Marty Maloney and getting the ball rolling closer to home.

“We weren’t extensively looking around here at the time,” Pallen admits. “We had opportunities for expansion in other cities like Des Plaines, and we were focused on the Milwaukee suburbs for a while, but I believe everything happens for a reason, and things weren’t aligned like we wanted elsewhere quite like they were here.

“My house is two minutes from this new location, and it all started 15 years ago with me brewing in my basement in Park Ridge. So it felt serendipitous to come home like this. Mayor Maloney has done so much, and without him, this opportunity would not have happened. We’ve gotten no pushback whatsoever from city council or neighbors, no complaints. We were all prepared to defend our plan and blueprints in case people had concerns, but instead it’s been nothing but great energy and positivity. And there’s so much potential in South Park, so it’s really cool to be a part of it.”

“My house is two minutes from this new location, and it all started 15 years ago with me brewing in my basement in Park Ridge. So it felt serendipitous to come home like this. Mayor Maloney has done so much, and without him, this opportunity would not have happened.

Expectations
Pallen’s aim is to create a family-friendly neighborhood spot that features a burger counter, bar area, combination of tall-top and regular seating, as well as a sidewalk patio with four picnic tables.

He’s teaming up with Brennan’s Burgers, a pop-up owned by a Park Ridge couple who happens to get their supplies from Devon Avenue Meats, just two doors down from the new Mikerphone location. How’s that for a community focus?

Brennan’s Gourmet Burger Shack will offer a handful of specialty burgers, cheese curds, fries and grilled cheese, and root beer floats, a slushy machine and a few ice cream creations will be available as well. … As for drinks, the goal is an all-inclusive concept with signature cocktails, wine, seltzers and plenty of fresh beer.

Brennan’s Gourmet Burger Shack will offer a handful of specialty burgers, cheese curds, fries and grilled cheese, and root beer floats, a slushy machine and a few ice cream creations will be available as well. “The menu will be simplistic,” Pallen says, “but the quality will be off the charts.”

The interior vibe, meanwhile, will be similar to the Elk Grove brewery. That means a love of the color blue, dozens of vinyl records adorning the walls, and lots of music. The pinball machines, though, will be staying behind at the brewery.

As for drinks, the goal is an all-inclusive concept with signature cocktails, wine, seltzers and plenty of fresh beer. Expect 12 taps that offer a combination of Mikerphone’s flagship brews and plenty of rotating small-batch and seasonal options. Even two or three that will be exclusive to just the new Park Ridge taproom.

Community connection

Pallen is busy getting the word out about potential sponsorships and collaborations with area businesses and organizations, especially his future neighbors in the South Park area.

“We’ve worked hard to solidify ourselves in the Elk Grove community, and we want to do the same here in Park Ridge,” he says. “We are so excited about our second home and eager to bring what we do best to our hometown. Things definitely feel like they’ve come full circle.”