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A Perfect Pairing: My Collaboration with Iron&Glass Taproom

Writer's picture: Thomas WylerThomas Wyler
Tom Wyler of Wyler BBQ, David from Journeyman Distillery, and Christen from Iron & Glass Taproom
This is the meeting with me, David from Journeyman, and Christen from Iron&Glass Taproom

My journey of collaborating with Christen and Colt of Iron&Glass Taproom began early in 2024 when I visited their Minooka, IL location with BBQ samples. I had no expectations walking into the meeting, or any agenda. I was excited to share my food with them and get to know small business owners in the area. As we got to know each other, I brought up the idea of always wanting to collaborate on a BBQ and beer, or bourbon pairing event. Christen immediately jumped on the idea and started offering suggestions of how we could make it happen, including figuring out a date. 


She also had a bourbon distillery in mind to collaborate with, having a great relationship with the local rep for Journeyman Distillery, located in Three Oaks Michigan. That is when I got really excited because the idea I had had for years was materializing in a matter of minutes. I am also a huge fan of Journeyman bourbon, so that was a big deal. 




Christen said she would reach out to David, the Journeyman rep at the time, and set up a meeting to do some samples of BBQ and bourbons for a three course pairing meal. Flash forward a week and a half later, and I am back at Iron&Glass Taproom, BBQ samples in tow, to meet with David and Christen. The meeting was amazing. David was great to work with and we quickly put together a menu that was a perfect pairing of BBQ dishes and their line of bourbon. We discussed flavor profiles of each bourbon and determined the proteins and vegetables that would pair well with them, including a dessert.


Charcuterie Board with smoked cream cheese and crackers, sliced brisket, pork tenderloin, and turkey pastrami paired with Journeyman Field Rye
Charcuterie Board with smoked cream cheese and crackers, sliced brisket, pork tenderloin, and turkey pastrami paired with Journeyman Field Rye

We ultimately landed on the following menu:


Starter: Charcuterie Board with smoked cream cheese and crackers, sliced brisket, pork tenderloin, and turkey pastrami paired with Journeyman Field Rye


Main: Choose from either Beef Short Ribs or Beer Can Chicken (1/2 a chicken) served with pit beans and coleslaw paired with Journeyman Not A King and Silver Cross


Dessert: Smoked Apple Crisp paired with Journeyman Corsets, Whips & Whiskey Iron&Glass Single Barrel Pick


The date we picked was April 6, 2024. We decided to hold the event at their Minooka, IL location. The event was launched and completely sold out in three days. 



The event went great. It was a whirlwind of all kinds of emotions for me. Everyone that came enjoyed the food and spirits served. I introduced each course and David spoke about the bourbon paired with each course and why it was chosen, along with a brief history of how it was created. He answered any questions the guests had.


The event lasted two hours. It was a great night. A few months later, Christen reached out to have me do a pop up in their Romeoville, IL location to sell BBQ during one of their bingo nights. That was also very successful. 


We are currently working together on another BBQ and bourbon pairing event for Iron&Glass Taproom and Bottle Shop in Romeoville, IL.


When you collaborate with like-minded small business owners the results can be amazing. I’m very grateful for the partnership that I have with Christen and Colt and look forward to future collaborations.

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