🍻 Old Herald pivots, pours, and presses on with The Press House launch

Here’s a rare one: a brewery admitting what most folks dance around.

“We suck at running a restaurant,” said Old Herald owner Derik Reiser (yep, those are his actual words). And honestly? That kind of honesty pairs really well with what comes next.

After six and a half years of brewing solid beer, distilling bold spirits, and trying (emphasis on trying) to build a memorable restaurant experience in Collinsville, Old Herald Brewery & Distillery is making a move—one that might just make everything better.

From newspaper to brewhouse to Press House

Housed in the old Collinsville Herald newspaper building, Old Herald has always leaned into its roots. The printing press vibe, the community-centered events, the “pull up a stool and tell me a story” energy—it’s all been part of the DNA.

But now, they’re handing the restaurant side over to someone who lives and breathes hospitality, while the Old Herald crew shifts full throttle into what they do best: making damn good beer and spirits.

The new restaurant, The Press House, opens in August with a wider drink selection (Old Herald’s Ardent Spirits, house brews, plus wine and popular national brands—finally!) and a food menu meant to please more palates, not confuse them. Think variety, comfort, and maybe a touch of BBQ, if June’s Red Top pop-up is any hint.

So what’s staying, what’s changing?

• Staying: The space, the spirit, and yep, the beer.
• Changing: Who’s running the food and service game. New operators, new menu, same community vibe.
• Expanding: The drink list. Old Herald was previously limited by state law (as a manufacturer, they couldn’t serve booze they didn’t make). That’s no longer an issue.

Here’s why it matters now

Craft breweries often stretch themselves thin trying to do everything—brew, distill, cook, host, run events, clean up, make a TikTok. It’s refreshing to see a team say, “Hey, we’re great at this, and someone else should be great at that.”

And that honesty? It’s what makes this pivot feel like a next chapter, not a retreat.

With new beverage releases and a push for regional distribution in the works, Old Herald is finally stepping into its full potential—on their terms.