Fiala Brothers Brewery & Beer Hall — Restaurant in Normal

If you're looking for good beer and a quick bite, this is a fabulous option in Uptown Normal near campus and the roundabout. If you like your Grilled Cheese a bit more grown up, you'll love this. The Philly, Portabello and Chicken Bacon Ranch were a hit with our group. And they also have a few side dish options, too. Including the ever-important and flavorful tomato soup.

A few important things to know so you can have the best experience, because it's not your normal restaurant setup:

No servers, you order from a kiosk on the first floor next to the bar OR you can order from your phone. You pay with a card. Take a look at the menu before you arrive so you can spend your time in conversation with friends rather than making decisions at the kiosk :-)

They brew their own beer! And they have other fabulousness on tap. You do NOT order beer from the kiosk. Go up to a bartender and order. Open a tab or pay as you go. But most importantly be cool, be nice, tip well :-) They know beer so ask for guidance and recommendations if you need it!

This place is 3 floors, but there is an elevator if anyone needs it. Order on the first floor, food & beer. Pick up food on the second floor when it's ready (they text you). Enjoy food and beer on the 1st or 3rd floor, either indoors or out on the patio. There is also a bar on the 3rd floor, and dart boards!

Some reviewers have said the Grilled Cheese is more like a half sandwich. It's a BIG half sandwich in our opinion, and with a side dish it's the perfect amount of food. And again food is ready quick so if you're still hungry, go up to a kiosk, order something else and keep eating :-)

The beer cheese has a little bite to it and the beer taste is definitely present so if you're a beer lover, you'll love this. If you've got anyone with you who likes cheese but not beer, it's probably not their jam. In which case order a side of something else too so they don't feel left out, because you're a good friend like that.

I love it when new locally owned awesomeness makes Bloomington-Normal their home, and Fiala Brothers is a...

DONT FALL FOR their bartenders "joke" and drink their shots of Malort the bartenders are pushing super hard. It's one of the worst drinks you'll EVER have. They will tell you tastes great and one of their favorites, and even offer to do a shot with you, just to get you to do one. DONT FALL FOR IT. It tastes like a mix of Absinthe, Jägermeister, and vomit, or as one other reviewer put it, "Malort is famously challenging to drink, with a flavor that includes notes of gasoline, grapefruit, sweat, wax, fire, mineral oil, and bitterness. So unless you’re giving it to someone who knows what they’re signing up for, it could also be considered a fantastic gag gift."

Their drink selection is decent other than that. Outdoor seating is a huge plus. Never had their food, since it's ONLY grilled cheese sandwiches.

Edit: 5/8/2025 Getting a drink is a matter of lottery. There's no line at the bar. Bartender gets to choose who gets served and it's NOT first come first served. Just left without ordering a drink, because I was never given the option. What's worse is the owner was sitting next to me and didn't say a word. Soooo much better places in town...

Overall, I really like this place and I think as they get more of their own beers on the menu it's going to be a favorite spot to go. I've only had their soft pretzel with beer cheese, and it's pretty good. I like their handful of in-house beers, and I'm looking forward to trying more of them as they add more to the menu. They do have a decent variety of guest beers to round out the current menu. The space is a little awkward, but they've used it well, and the up-upstairs is a cool spot to hang out. I have not been there in the warm months yet, but the ability to open up and have a semi outside/inside hang-out setup is probably awesome. That said, in the cold months the first floor is not warm enough to take your coat off. Also it's a narrow space and the bar is tucked back and can be tough to get to when trying to order beer. The natural spot to order from is sometimes a favorite spot for people to stand around and hang out and block. A designated ordering spot at the bar...