The Burlington, Iowa brewhouse, The Busted Cup, is readying its second location in Macomb for its tentative debut in mid-June. According to a recent press release from The Busted Cup, the new space – which was once the home of the locally-owned Forgottonia Brewery – will introduce a 'vibrant taproom experience centered around the brewery's signature craft beers.'
'The Busted Cup Brewery exists to brew quality beer. Everything we do is guided by three values: quality, authenticity and consistency,' said owners Kathy and Brandon Bentz. 'Quality means careful attention to every detail. From day one, we've sourced premium ingredients from Midwestern farms and respected grain-growing regions around the world to craft lagers and ales our customers can be proud of.
Authenticity means honoring each style. Whether it's a classic American lager or a traditional old-world ale, every element, from water profile to maturation time, is designed to reflect the true historical character of the beer.'
The Bentzes opened The Busted Cup Brewhouse in the 700 block of Jefferson Street in Burlington in September 2023. The couple also owns Poppie's Specialty Market in the same building as their Burlington restaurant. In addition, they own and operate Fusion Tech in Roseville, which specializes in USDA-approved equipment (slicers, grinders, cutting tables and much more).
'Great beer should never be a surprise,' said Head Brewmaster Matthew Hansen. 'When you find one you love in Burlington, you should be able to order that same pint in Macomb and know it's going to taste exactly the way you remember it.'
While the Macomb location will operate primarily as a taproom, a limited bar and food menu will be available, along with their specialty meat market featuring locally produced artisanal meats from Roseville, IL. Looking ahead, the new owners said guests can look forward to specialty event nights like trivia and bingo, with additional themed experiences in the works. Plans are also underway for an outdoor live music entertainment throughout the summer season. Hours of operation will be announced in the near future.
The building that will house the new Macomb brewery is owned by LKG, LLC.
Lance Murphy of Macomb, one of the partners, told The Community News Brief in an exclusive interview in February they decided to purchase the Forgottonia building – what once was home to the well-known Rockin Robin's/Rockin Records – from its former owners because Murphy and his colleagues are deeply rooted in the community, and felt strongly about preserving a local gathering space for years to come. Forgotonnia closed its doors Dec. 28, 2024 after a five-plus year run. They began looking for a business, preferably a restaurant or brewery, interested in leasing the place. The Busted Cup answered that call.
'As we searched for the right business to invest in, we knew we wanted something welcoming to all ages, space where families and kids could gather during the day, and adults could enjoy a vibrant atmosphere in the evening,' he added. 'Our partnership with The Busted Cup felt like perfect timing. While we were looking to revitalize the space, they were seeking an opportunity to expand beyond their Burlington, IA home base. We're excited to partner with a respected local business.'
According to the Bentzes, the expansion into Macomb reflects The Busted Cup's continued growth and commitment to delivering authentic craft beer and a memorable taproom experience to the communities it serves.
'Opening in Macomb, Illinois is a big milestone for The Busted Cup,' they said. 'We're excited to create a fun, relaxed taproom where people can gather, enjoy great beer and make new memories—just like we do in Burlington, Iowa.”
