What Penrose Brewing does

Penrose Brewing Company is a privately held craft brewery founded in 2014 and headquartered in Geneva, Illinois, operating a single-site taproom at 509 Stevens Street alongside brewing facilities that include a barrel-aging cellar. The company produces a broad SKU portfolio spanning flagship IPAs (Goofy Boots, Taproom IPA, Looper, Lil Boots), a German-style Helles (Penrose Light), seasonal hazy releases (Summer Crush, Galactic Boots, Rain Boots, America The Boot-iful, Golden Boots), a craft hard seltzer line marketed as Seltz-Up (Lemon, Pink Lemon, Blueberry Pomegranate Lemon, Cherry Temple, Lemon Tea-Up, Transfusion, Margarita), small-batch bourbon-barrel-aged imperial stouts and barleywines (Buffalo Trace, Elijah Craig, Basil Hayden, Amburana wood), and wild/saison ales produced in collaboration with peer breweries. Technical differentiation centers on barrel aging with premium bourbon barrels aged 18–24 months, real-fruit-puree hard seltzer production, and a wild-fermentation program using oak wine barrels and mixed cultures.

The business combines three distribution channels: direct-to-consumer sales through the Geneva taproom (with on-site growler fills, merchandise, and food via a Massa Pizza Company partnership since January 2023) and a Square online storefront for pickup orders; wholesale distribution across Illinois via Elgin Beverage and Glunz Distributing in the Chicago-land area and Wolf Distributing for the rest of the state; and recurring revenue from private events in the taproom and barrel cellar (50–105 person capacity), guided tastings ($30–$40/person) and brewery tours ($15/reservation). A three-year partnership with the Illinois PGA Foundation (announced February 2026) designates Looper IPA, Transfusion Seltz-Up, and Lemon Tea-Up as Official Beer and Seltzer of the Illinois PGA Foundation, with proceeds supporting the Foundation's programming.

Customer segments are consumer-driven and include local craft beer enthusiasts visiting the Geneva/Fox Valley taproom, hard seltzer drinkers seeking real-fruit craft alternatives, Illinois PGA golf-community members and facilities, and private-event and corporate clients. The company has accumulated repeated industry validation including a GABF Gold (2020) and Bronze (2019) for Goofy Boots, multiple U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship medals culminating in six medals and a sixth-place overall ranking in 2025, and Best Microbrewery recognition in Kane County Chronicle's 2026 Best of the Fox awards. Ownership is concentrated around Co-Founder and Head Brewer Tom Korder with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or parent-company involvement.

Name

Penrose Brewing

Legal name

Penrose Brewing Company

Website

https://penrosebrewing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Penrose Brewing is an Illinois craft brewery founded in 2014 that produces award-winning IPAs, lagers, bourbon-barrel-aged imperial stouts, wild ales, and a flagship craft hard seltzer line, selling through its Geneva taproom, e-commerce, Illinois wholesale distributors, and a 2026 Illinois PGA Foundation partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer & Hard Seltzer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Breweries (312120), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (42481), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbreweries & Craft Breweries (THAFALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Beer, Brewery & Craft Beverage Tastings (THAJAGAE)

Keywords

• Craft beer production
• Hard seltzer brewing
• Barrel-aged stouts
• Hazy IPAs
• Craft brewery taproom

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Taproom Sales: Direct sales of draft beer, hard seltzers, and food (pizzas from Massa Pizza) to consumers visiting the Geneva taproom. Includes growler fills and merchandise sales.
2. Online Store: E-commerce sales through Square storefront for beer, merchandise, and gift cards for pickup at the taproom
3. Distribution: Wholesale distribution of packaged beer (4-packs, 6-packs) through distributors across Illinois - Elgin Beverage and Glunz Distributing in Chicago-land, Wolf Distributing for rest of state
4. Private Events: Rental of taproom and barrel cellar for private events including guided tastings, tours, and corporate events with various pricing tiers
5. Brewery Tours: Paid brewery tours at $15 per person including guided tour, glass of beer, and Penrose glass to take home

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Penrose Brewing is a craft brewery that produces and sells a diverse portfolio of craft beers (IPAs, lagers, barrel-aged imperial stouts, wild/saison ales) and hard seltzers (Seltz-Up series with real fruit purees). The company sells these beverages directly through its Geneva, Illinois taproom and Square online storefront, and indirectly through wholesale distributors across Illinois, while also offering paid brewery tours, guided tastings, and private event rentals.

Product overview

Penrose Brewing is a craft brewery offering a diverse portfolio of beers and hard seltzers. The core lineup includes flagship hazy IPA Goofy Boots (awarded GABF Gold 2020), Taproom IPA, Penrose Light, Looper (Official Beer of PGA of Illinois Foundation), and Lil Boots. The seasonal hoppy releases feature variations like Summer Crush, Galactic Boots, Rain Boots, and America The Boot-iful. The Seltz-Up hard seltzer series includes Lemon Seltz-Up (year-round), Pink Lemon, Cherry Temple, Lemon Tea-Up, Transfusion, and Margarita varieties, with multiple U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship medals. Small batch barrel-aged releases include anniversary stouts and barleywines aged in bourbon barrels. Limited wild ales are produced in collaboration with other breweries. Services include taproom experience, brewery tours, private events, and pizza from Massa Pizza Company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Goofy Boots (Flagship Hazy IPA) Flagship hazy IPA available year-round in 16oz 4-pack cans, on draft, and growler fills; 2020 GABF Gold Medal and 2019 GABF Bronze Medal winner in the Juicy/Hazy Strong Pale Ale category.
• Taproom IPA Year-round American IPA brewed with clean American Ale yeast, Citra hops, caramel malt, and Michigan-grown Chinook hops; available in 16oz 4-pack cans, on draft, and growlers at $11.99 per 4-pack.
• Penrose Light (German-Style Helles Lager) Year-round German-style Helles lager emphasizing crispness, balanced flavors, and traditional brewing technique.
• Looper (Modern IPA) Modern, crisp, crushable IPA brewed with vibrant, fruit-forward Alora hops featuring notes of peach, apricot, sweet melon, and yuzu; rebranded in 2026 as Official Beer of the PGA of Illinois Foundation.
• Lil Boots (Session Hazy IPA) Sessionable hazy IPA with lower ABV than Goofy Boots, brewed with El Dorado, Citra, and Mosaic hops; notes of lemon-lime soda, pineapple rind, and mango.
• Lemon Seltz-Up (Hard Seltzer) Year-round house-made hard seltzer brewed with real pureed lemons; available on tap, in growler fills, and 12oz 4-pack cans. Multiple U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship Gold medals and Beverage Tasting Institute Gold Medal winner.
• Blueberry Pomegranate Lemon Seltz-Up (Hard Seltzer) Crafted hard seltzer with real blueberries, pomegranates, and lemons combining tangy lemon zest with sweet blueberry and exotic pomegranate; 2025 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship Gold Medal winner.
• Pink Lemon Seltz-Up (Hard Seltzer) Hard seltzer brewed with lemon puree and raspberry, delivering tart lemon sweetness; three-peat U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship Gold Medal winner (2023–2025) and Untappd Community Hard Seltzer Silver Medal (Illinois).
• Lemon Tea-Up (Hard Seltzer) Hard seltzer brewed with lemons and steeped in tea for a half-and-half-inspired flavor; 2023 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship Gold Medal winner; rebranded in 2026 as Official Hard Seltzer of the PGA of Illinois Foundation.
• Transfusion Seltz-Up (Hard Seltzer) Hard seltzer inspired by the classic Transfusion cocktail, brewed with real grape, ginger, and lime; rebranded in 2026 as Official Hard Seltzer of the PGA of Illinois Foundation.
• Margarita Seltz-Up (Hard Seltzer) Hard seltzer inspired by the classic margarita cocktail, brewed with real lime juice and a touch of agave for a zesty, refreshing finish; 2025 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship Bronze Medal winner.
• Cherry Temple Seltz-Up (Hard Seltzer) Hard seltzer brewed with cherry, pomegranate, lemon, and lime juices inspired by a classic childhood drink; 2025 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship Bronze Medal winner.
• 10 Year Anniversary Dark Barleywine (Barrel-Aged) Dark barleywine aged in Basil Hayden Bourbon Barrels with Tahitian Vanilla, released as a limited 10th anniversary offering in 2-pack format.
• 11 Year Anniversary Caves (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout) Imperial Stout aged 24 months in bourbon barrels with Amburana wood and Madagascar vanilla beans; 13% ABV limited 11th anniversary release.
• Brewer's Reserve Caves (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout) Imperial stout aged 24 months in Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrels, delivering velvety texture, chocolate, roasted malt, and subtle bourbon warmth.
• Coconut Caves (Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout) Imperial stout aged 18 months in Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrels, then rested on toasted coconut, imparting a tropical twist complementing chocolate and velvety malt.
• Beacon (Spelt Saison, Wild Fermentation) Spelt saison collaboration with Afterthought Brewing utilizing a Belgian saison strain with modest malted spelt, old world hops, and Meyer lemon peel; oak wine barrel-aged with wild yeast and bacteria.
• Dens (Mixed Culture Saison) Mixed culture saison co-brewed with Supermoon Brewing, featuring an ultra-fruity blend of Lotus, Cashmere, and New Zealand Motueka hops delivering a tropical burst.
• Citra Dens (Mixed Culture Saison) Mixed culture saison collaboration with Supermoon Brewing highlighting Citra hops with familiar IPA citrusy fruit cocktail aromatics.
• Stargazer (Dark Lager) Dark lager brewed with Midnight Wheat, CaraPils Copper, and Caramel 120 malts, smooth and malty with a bready character suited for campfire and stargazing.
• Golden Boots (Limited-Release Hazy IPA) Limited-release hazy IPA bursting with juicy El Dorado hops delivering vibrant notes of tropical fruit, pear, and stone fruit, inspired by summer soccer's biggest international stage.
• Summer Crush (Hazy Wheat IPA) Seasonal Hazy Wheat IPA brewed with orange zest, a hybrid style blending juicy Hazy IPA citrus aromas with a smooth wheat beer finish; ABV 6.7%.
• Galactic Boots (Hazy IPA) Hazy IPA brewed with Galaxy hops delivering cosmic tropical fruit and glowing citrus in a hazy, soft, smooth body.
• Rain Boots (Hazy IPA) Hazy IPA brewed exclusively with hops sourced from the Pacific Northwest, featuring a harmonious blend of citrusy and piney notes with tropical fruit undertones.
• America The Boot-iful (Hazy IPA) Hazy IPA brewed with American malt and Citra, Amarillo, and Cashmere hops for juicy character; positioned for 4th of July festivities.
• Taproom Experience On-site taproom experience at the Geneva brewery offering draft beer, hard seltzers, growler fills, packaged beer, merchandise, brewery tours, and private events with food partner Massa Pizza Company.
• Brewery Tours Paid guided tours of the brewhouse, fermentation cellar, and packaging area at $15 per reservation, including the full tour, a glass of beer, and a Penrose glass to take home.
• Private Events (Taproom and Barrel Cellar Rentals) Rental of the Geneva taproom (capacity up to 105) and barrel cellar (capacity approximately 50) for corporate events, celebrations, and gatherings, including guided tastings and tours; pricing varies by group size, date, and space availability.
• Guided Tasting + Tour $40/person backstage tasting and tour experience including a flight of four 4oz pours plus one regular-sized beer or hard seltzer, lasting approximately 1.5 hours.
• Guided Tasting $30/person guided tasting experience including a flight of four 4oz pours lasting 30–45 minutes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Six medals at 2025 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship (6th place overall)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Illinois PGA FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Three-year partnership (2026) bringing together Illinois' golf community and Penrose Brewing. Three beverages (Looper IPA, Transfusion Seltz-Up, Lemon Tea-Up) rebranded as Official Beer and Seltzer of the Illinois PGA Foundation and Illinois PGA Section. A portion of proceeds from every sale directly benefits the Illinois PGA Foundation and its mission-driven programming.
• Massa Pizza CompanycoreOthers · 31 January 2023Partnership with Massa Pizza Company from Franklin Park, Illinois to serve handmade pizzas at the Penrose taproom. Five pizza varieties offered: Four Cheese, Italian Sausage, Spicy Soppressata, Margherita, and Roasted Veggie. Available during all taproom operating hours since January 2023.
• Gindo's Spice of LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to create Lemon Seltz-Up Sauce featuring Aji limon peppers, lemon zest, and the same lemon puree used in their Lemon Seltz-Up hard seltzer. Sauce available for use during taproom hours and bottles available for purchase to take home.
• Afterthought BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration brewing Beacon Spelt Saison, utilizing a saison strain from a particular region in Belgium with modest amount of malted spelt. Shows shared love for farmhouse brewing.
• Supermoon BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with former teammate Rob at Supermoon Brewing in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood. Co-brewed Dens and Citra Dens mixed culture saisons, split into two hoppy variations.
• Elgin BeveragecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner serving the Chicago-land area for packaged beer distribution.
• Glunz DistributingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner serving the Chicago-land area for packaged beer distribution.
• Wolf DistributingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for the rest of Illinois (outside Chicago-land area) for packaged beer distribution across the state.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Half Acre Beer Company: Chicago-based craft brewery operating a taproom and Illinois distribution with a similar hazy IPA-forward portfolio; directly comparable in size, geography, and taproom-led go-to-market.
• Revolution Brewing: Chicago craft brewery with deep-hopped IPAs, a flagship taproom, and multi-channel Illinois distribution; comparable in product mix and regional brewing scale.
• Hop Butcher for the World: Chicago-area craft brewery focused on hazy IPAs and small-batch releases; directly comparable in haze-forward portfolio and Illinois wholesale distribution.
• Two Brothers Brewing: Illinois-based (Warrenville) craft brewery with taproom and broad distribution; comparable in Illinois geographic footprint and diversified beer portfolio.
• Pipeworks Brewing Co. Chicago craft brewery known for bold, hop-forward beers and limited releases; comparable in craft positioning and Illinois retail/wholesale model.
• 3 Floyds Brewing: Northwest Indiana craft brewer renowned for bold IPAs and barrel-aged stouts; comparable in barrel-aging program craft positioning and regional Midwestern distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Lagunitas Brewing Company: National craft brewer (Heineken-owned) with broad IPA portfolio and deep distribution; comparable in beer category but significantly larger scale and reach.
• Goose Island Beer Company: Chicago-originated craft brewery now owned by AB InBev; larger incumbent with broad portfolio and national distribution that competes for the same Illinois taproom and shelf space.
• New Belgium Brewing: National craft brewer (Fat Tire) with broad portfolio and wide distribution; comparable in craft identity but at substantially larger scale than Penrose.
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Large established craft brewer with national distribution across IPAs, lagers, and seasonal releases; benchmark for craft scale and category breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PenroseBrewing
• Facebookfacebook.com/PenroseBrewing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/penrose-brewing-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Penrose Brewing