Whoa, I've had no idea that so many breweries are coming to Chicago. Even though I've read that some breweries are closing around the country, it seems that Chicago is continuing its expansion. Most of the breweries look like they are extremely local with many asking for donations to get their operations off the ground. This might suggest that people are earnest in their endeavor, but maybe don't have the financial backing; like taking a hobby and trying to make a go of it. Will this lead to a saturation of the Chicago market? Probably not. Of course, those with better brewing and business skills will survive, but I don't think any will close because of a market tipping point. Compared to other markets, Chicago still has a long way to go to catch up in terms of local breweries to population. Plus, with the decline of macro beers and the changing tastes there is a large market in the city still up for grabs. (An interesting side note is that the first rice brewery from Korea is going to setup shop in Chicago.)
What might be a trend to look for is what Last Bay Beer is doing. The people at Last Bay are trying a nanobrewery concept where they brew beer off-site and then have a small tasting room that serves growlers. This greatly reduces the brewery's footprint while allowing them to slowly expand. It's a way to start with the beer and get it directly into people's hands without the hassle of running a pub. It's probably most similar to Half Acre's approach.
Here are links to some of the new breweries. Enjoy!
https://www.facebook.com/arcadebrewery
http://4pawsbrewing.com/our-beer/
https://www.facebook.com/spitefulbrewing
http://lastbaybeer.blogspot.com/
http://www.lowdive.com/
http://broadshouldersbrewing.com/brewery/index.html
http://www.newchicagobeer.com/about/
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Saturday, February 11, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
New Exciting Brewing News
Even though I just heard about a new brewery going in off Ravenswood in the Lincoln Square/Northcenter area, I get wind of another new brewery opening in Motor Row. This is the same place that some people have called to make a music destination with hotels and clubs. Broad Shoulders Brewing looks to be coming this summer. I am for one excited about this because I love the south loop area and it's great to see some of these types of places filter down from the north side. The brewery will be using an existing building, which helps to preserve the local character of the area and Chicago. It'll also be playing up to the convention crowd. This should give tourists a better idea of the unique style that Chicago has to offer. It looks like Broad Shoulders will specialize in lagers, but have one-offs for probably more creative outlets.
It's the end of January in 2012 and the Winter Brew Festival at DANKhaus is sold out. Yep. Have to go to Craigslist to get tickets. With festivals like this selling out, it shows that there still isn't enough supply to meet demand for craft beer in Chicago. If you can't get into this, check out this list of upcoming beer events (I'm angling to get to the Night of Living Ales).
Just to note: sales of macro swill beer continue to decline. Perhaps the American pallet is waking up.
It's the end of January in 2012 and the Winter Brew Festival at DANKhaus is sold out. Yep. Have to go to Craigslist to get tickets. With festivals like this selling out, it shows that there still isn't enough supply to meet demand for craft beer in Chicago. If you can't get into this, check out this list of upcoming beer events (I'm angling to get to the Night of Living Ales).
Just to note: sales of macro swill beer continue to decline. Perhaps the American pallet is waking up.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Haymarket Pub: The First Visit
It's been sometime since I have posted last, so I thought it'd be a great way to start the new year by hitting up one of Chicago's notable breweries: Haymarket Pub.
While there, I enjoyed the Allocution, Angrier Birds and Defender beers. That's why I'm conflicted about the place. Let's start at the beginning.
I was doing an assignment to write about an art gallery a few blocks away. It was a warm January day, even by Chicago standards. As I walked down Washington, I noticed that there was a sign for a brewpub and restaurant. I made a mental note of it and decided to stop by and check it out on my way back. As I made it down the street I discovered with great joy that it was the Haymarket. I was joyed at the prospect of going to a brewpub in Chicago I haven't been to. Plus, most brewpubs are chill places to relax, have some good conversation and a good beer. I couldn't have been more wrong about Haymarket.
Maybe it's the location, who knows, but the first thing I noticed were the TVs. There seemed to be hundreds of them. From every direction there was an assault of blue-tinted flashes of light. I also immediately noticed the front of store podium with obligatory "Please Wait to Be Seated" sign. Thoughts of entering an independent cool brewpub was suddenly dashed by the fact I was standing in some upscale Appleby's. I was disappointed.
The initial service wasn't much better. With all of the trixies, hipsters and scenester girls running around and the too-hard trying bartenders, you think it'd be faster to get served, but sadly that wasn't the case. I took a seat at the bar, and it wasn't until some younger kid started working that there was any real service. The place seemed more geared toward tourists and suburbanites. There was vague douche written all over everything.
OK, I think I'm being too harsh. The place had a nice look, a bit too overdesigned and the TVs were a distraction, but the beer was good. That's something, isn't it? Maybe being in the area necessitates catering to tourists. Who knows? I'll go back during lunch to try some beers maybe nibble on something, but it's hardly a destination. With luck, maybe we'll get Haymarket in bottles or cans to avoid the whole thing together.
While there, I enjoyed the Allocution, Angrier Birds and Defender beers. That's why I'm conflicted about the place. Let's start at the beginning.
I was doing an assignment to write about an art gallery a few blocks away. It was a warm January day, even by Chicago standards. As I walked down Washington, I noticed that there was a sign for a brewpub and restaurant. I made a mental note of it and decided to stop by and check it out on my way back. As I made it down the street I discovered with great joy that it was the Haymarket. I was joyed at the prospect of going to a brewpub in Chicago I haven't been to. Plus, most brewpubs are chill places to relax, have some good conversation and a good beer. I couldn't have been more wrong about Haymarket.
Maybe it's the location, who knows, but the first thing I noticed were the TVs. There seemed to be hundreds of them. From every direction there was an assault of blue-tinted flashes of light. I also immediately noticed the front of store podium with obligatory "Please Wait to Be Seated" sign. Thoughts of entering an independent cool brewpub was suddenly dashed by the fact I was standing in some upscale Appleby's. I was disappointed.
The initial service wasn't much better. With all of the trixies, hipsters and scenester girls running around and the too-hard trying bartenders, you think it'd be faster to get served, but sadly that wasn't the case. I took a seat at the bar, and it wasn't until some younger kid started working that there was any real service. The place seemed more geared toward tourists and suburbanites. There was vague douche written all over everything.
OK, I think I'm being too harsh. The place had a nice look, a bit too overdesigned and the TVs were a distraction, but the beer was good. That's something, isn't it? Maybe being in the area necessitates catering to tourists. Who knows? I'll go back during lunch to try some beers maybe nibble on something, but it's hardly a destination. With luck, maybe we'll get Haymarket in bottles or cans to avoid the whole thing together.
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