The Chicago Craft Beer Renaissance

Chicago has always been a beer town, but it’s not always been thought of as a craft beer town. Yes, the windy city has been home to many fine craft brewers in the past (Goose Island comes immediately to mind) but we think it’s safe to say that it’s never been considered a major craft beer city on the level of a Portland, a San Diego, or a Seattle. Fast forward to today and all that’s changing big-time. Chicago is now in the midst of a major craft beer renaissance and the whole country has taken notice.

So what happened?

It doesn’t hurt to have one of America’s fastest growing craft breweries choose you to be their second home.

California-based Lagunitas Brewing Company had been looking to expand their base of operations for a while, and many were surprised when they chose Chicago. Perhaps they shouldn’t have been. Tony Magee, the founder of Lagunitas, grew up in Chicago. He has roots and family members who still live there. And though not obvious at first, there certainly was an opening for the entry of a major craft brewer like Lagunitas. The majority of Chicago’s new craft breweries are still relatively small but they are growing. Compared to those emerging breweries, Lagunitas is a giant, and they’re coming in big. Their plans include a 250 barrel brewhouse and our friends at aleheads estimate that they will eventually “be producing more beer in a year than the likes of Goose Island, Three Floyds, Two Brothers, Half Acre, Revolution, Haymarket, Pipeworks, Finch’s, 5 Rabbit, and the rest of the city combined.” That’s big!

A rising tide lifts all boats.

New Belgium’s and Sierra Nevada’s planned expansion into Asheville, NC served to shine a spotlight on that city’s already existing craft beer community. Lagunitas’ big announcement has focused much-deserved attention on Chicago’s up-and-coming craft breweries.

Revolution Brewing is one of those rising stars. Only two years old, Revolution started as a brewpub – they’ve just opened a five million dollar production facility – and FoxNews.com is reporting that they are looking to “distribute beer to Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana by the end of this year.”

Even though they’re based in nearby Munster, Indiana, Three Floyds has a strong Chicago following and a national reputation. Haymarket, Two Brothers Brewing, and Half Acre Beer Company are not as widely known as Three Floyds – but given the amount of buzz they’re all currently generating, they all will be soon!

It helps if your city is home to a renowned brewing institute.

Chicago is home to America’s leading brewing institute. “Siebel Institute of Technology was established in 1868 before the Great Chicago fire,” fox.com states, “and the famous brew lab stilll attracts aspiring brewer entrepreneurs from around the world.” “Siebel is the Harvard of Brewing Schools,” says Tom Bobak, the Editor-In-Chief of American Craft Beer.com. “It’s a huge calling card for the city,” he adds. “Thousands have flocked to Chicago to study at this world-class brewing academy – and many never leave.”