Nano-Brewery at American Flatbread in Lincoln Square

Here's something new that I hope takes off. The planned American Flatbread outlet in Lincoln Square, which will serve organic flat breads from locally sourced farms, plans to open a nano-brewery on site to brew small batches of beer. The restaurant, which will sit right off Giddings Plaza, will feature a wood-burning oven made of clay and straw as well as a bar and an outdoor patio.

However, I most intrigued by the prospect of a nano-brewery. I know there are brewpubs that churn out beer (e.g., Revolution Brewing), but the idea of a restaurant-first place that makes small beer to complement its food is something that I think is new to Chicago. From what I can tell, there isn't much difference between a micro and a nano brewery except for the size. For a place that is paying such careful attention to the details and sourcing from local farms, the idea of making beer specifically to fit the food is great. This can only further the idea that food and beer can have a synergistic pairing, just like wine, and break the mold of something to get drunk on or to wash down hot wings. Maybe this will start a new trend in the city of places making their own small batches of beer to go with food or special food offerings.

At first, I was a bit hesitant about a chain coming in, but after learning one of the guys is from Chicago and they will be brewing their own beer and using locally sourced food, I'm becoming more eager to see this place open. If the stories about a nano-brewery turn out to be true, then I'm even more excited for what the Chicago craft beer scene holds.

You can read more about nano-brewing here, and you can read the Center Square Journal article about American Flatbread here.