Tinley Brewery, Lockport Taproom Capture Holiday Spirit In Christmas Cookie Beer Collab For Charity

TINLEY PARK, IL — A Tinley Park brewery and a Lockport taproom have again partnered in spreading the holiday spirit, with the return of a beer inspired by cookies left for the big guy in the red suit—and with a local charity in mind.

Flipside Brewing and The Open Bottle on Saturday will bring back their specialty beer "Santa's Midnight Snack," with a portion of sales going to local charity Tinley Wish.

Flipside owner Erik Pizer said he recently learned that Santa's favorite cookie is a classic like the jolly guy himself: the snickerdoodle. It also happens to be the favorite of The Open Bottle owner Patrick Bisch, who's been waiting for this one.

Pizer and The Open Bottle owners Patrick and Julia Bisch will feature the beer on draft and in bottles at Flipside, 7144 183rd St., and The Open Bottle, 16437 W 159th St., in Lockport.

The businesses will donate $1 of every bottle sold to Tinley Wish, a nonprofit organization focused on helping Tinley Park families who are facing difficult situations during the Christmas season.

"While it's too late to help this year's families, it's a jump start for next year," Pizer said.

An Imperial Milk Stout base with Ceylon cinnamon, vanilla and brown sugar added, the finished product is a deep chocolate-y, frothy brew with an ABV of 11 percent. It's set for release on Saturday, Dec. 13, with pre-order live now on both the Flipside and The Open Bottle websites.

"I think I nailed the flavors of the snickerdoodle cookie, in a big, 11 percent Imperial Milk stout," Pizer said.

"It’s a sipper, for sure," Pizer said, laughing. "It makes for a great stocking stuffer, or to share after Christmas dinner around the fireplace, or to keep to yourself and not share."

The yearly "Santa beer" collaboration is an opportunity for friends Pizer and Bisch to put their heads together to brew something special. The two originally met years ago, when Pizer owned the now-defunct 350 Brewing (previously in the space occupied by Flipside), and Bisch's The Open Bottle was across the street. Bisch and wife Julie closed the Tinley Park location in March of this year.

"It’s a chance for us to get together and do something fun," Pizer said. "The fact that it helps out a good cause just makes it even easier to do."

Both Flipside and The Open Bottle open Saturday at 11 a.m. Santa will visit Flipside from 2 to 4 p.m., and the Grinch will be at The Open Bottle from 1 to 2 p.m.

Flipside Brewing is located at 7144 W 183rd St., open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For complete hours, see their Facebook.

The Open Bottle is located at 16437 159th St, Lockport, open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For complete hours, see their Facebook.