CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) --- One of the most prolific craft brewing communities in the country lies on the North Side of Chicago.
Malt Row is a bustling beer hub in the middle of Ravenswood — and many believe it’s the heart of the craft beer community.
“Our favorite thing about this brewery community is that there is a diversity of styles and personalities represented here on Malt Row and they’re not competitive, they’re extremely collaborative,” says Gene Wagendorf III, Associate Director of the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.
The Ravenswood community has a century of manufacturing history. The old industrial buildings provide the perfect space for both production as well as the taproom side of the business. The architecture lends itself to the craft brewing industry.
“We eclipsed Denver some years ago as having the most craft breweries per capita in the country,” says Brandon Runyon, Taproom Associate at Begyle Brewing.
Begyle Brewery was one of the first original dozen craft breweries in the city to get a liquor license to start. Now there are over 90 craft breweries in Chicago.
Many of the breweries work together regularly. Is/Was Brewing contracts a small space out of Begyle Brewing to create their own craft beer. The teamwork allows small but mighty breweries the chance to grow together.
“It’s a super supportive community, we’re not unique in that way in terms of the contract brewing. We work with friends who are larger than us to help with our production as well,” says Runyon.
Runyon explains the growth of the craft beer industry was a domino effect of passionate brewers seizing an opportunity to slip into the smaller neighborhood spaces. The Ravenswood community allows small craft breweries a chance to scale up.
“We’ve been really excited to see a century-long history of manufacturing in this community continued by the breweries in the last decade,” says Wagendorf.
Malt Row has many craft beer summer events including a beer tasting event and street festival focused on local craft breweries, distilleries, musicians and street food. Check out Ravenswoodchicago.org to plan a brewery focused trip in Ravenswood.