“Guinness is good for you,” one of the world’s most famous breweries used to claim in a 1920s advertising campaign that would no longer be legal in Ireland, but that you can still see on vintage bar posters.
Dublin-based Guinness, world-renowned for its black stout, plans to open a taproom in Chicago’s West Loop in 2023.
“As a native Chicagoan, I already know there are so many reasons to love Chicago — its people, culture, diverse and distinctive network of neighborhoods, and of course its food and beer scene. The city was a natural choice to bring our first neighborhood hub to life,” said Jay Sethi, chief marketing officer of Diageo Beer Company, USA. “We are building this taproom for the people of Chicago and, as with everything that Guinness does, it’s not just about the beer. We aim to celebrate Chicago and make a positive impact on the local community from the day our doors open.”
The 15,000-square-foot taproom will be located at 375 N. Morgan St. in the trendy restaurant district. Renovations begin this fall.
“No one does St. Patrick’s Day like Chicago, so naturally, Guinness already has a special place in our city’s history,” said Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. Chicago’s 27th Ward. “Now we get to make it a little more official with the Guinness Chicago Taproom, which will help further enliven our already vibrant West Loop neighborhood and bring new jobs to the area.”
Guinness opened its first brewing facility and taproom in the United States in Baltimore, where it’s drawn more than 900,000 visitors since opening in 2018. The Chicago location will have a 10 BBL brewing system to make small-batch beers, including some only available in Chicago.
There will be a restaurant, an outdoor patio, a display of work from local artists and Guinness merchandise for sale.
“For years we’ve seen Guinness as an integral part of so many bar and restaurant experiences, around the world and especially right here in Chicago,” said Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “We are thrilled there will now be a place Chicagoans can come to enjoy the full Guinness experience, while also continuing to strengthen the rich fabric of Chicago’s thriving hospitality community.”
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