Baldwin made brews, burgers, and Bang Bang Shrimp. Baldwin City’s newest restaurant has it all. Baldwin City Beer Company, opened by husband-and-wife and Baker alumnus, Cory and Jenni Venable, is ready to welcome students and local residents into their new space at 520 High Street.
What was once home to Baldwin City Market and Antiques on the Prairie has been remodeled into the newest brewery in Douglas County. Within a few years, they have moved from a small beer garden tent in front of the building to serving folks inside this historic building. With almost 10,000 square feet of space available to use for dine-in service, brewing operations, and a kitchen that puts out incredible food, Baldwin City is in for a real treat.
Upon entering the building, you can expect to be immediately greeted by not only a friendly host but a warm atmosphere. Met with a spacious dining room, a bar that is the full length of the dining area, an event space and TVs set up in just the right spots it is the perfect place to sit and watch the local football game. With massive windows allowing you to look past the bar and into the brewing area, it almost feels like you are a part of the brewing process.
For those 21 and older, the Beer Company offers five craft beers on tap that are brewed in-house. The drink menu consists of a classic selection of ale, from a crisp Blonde Rye to a malty full-bodied Pale Ale. They offer pints of the various beers for $6 each or a flight with a sample of each locally-made beer for $8 as well as offering cocktails.
The Beer Company has a wide variety of appetizers to start your experience off right. Kiley Montney, one of many locals who works for the Beer Company, had quite a few suggestions. “The nachos are definitely my favorite thing on the menu right now,” Montney said.
The nachos are a good starter, loaded up with everything you could want including house-made pico de gallo and their BC sauce. The Bang Bang Shrimp offers a good combination of bang bang and more of that delicious BC sauce on top of a bed of Asian slaw, what more could you want? And do not miss the Brussels Sprouts, they have a slight kick balanced with walnuts and dried fruit.
Speaking of balancing spicy and other flavors, the Diablo Burger is the perfect combination of spicy and sweet with pepperjack cheese, candied jalapenos, bacon and raspberry Diablo sauce. For something a little different, give the hot Turkey Club a try. It is loaded with a thick slice of smoked turkey, applewood smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and a house-made ranch. It is perfect for lunch. Don’t forget to order the fries with a side of the BC sauce, you will not regret it!
Get any of these tasty treats Monday 5 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight, with Thursday evenings being college night. Baldwin City Beer Company is working hard to help bridge the gap between the Baldwin community and Baker University. Venable’s long-standing roots with both the city and the university have helped to guide the goal of blending locals and college students in one location. “I want this to be a place where people think of when they think ‘Baldwin,’” Venable said.
