Diageo plans to open a Guinness taproom in Chicago in 2023, the beer and spirits company announced this week.
Diageo has signed a multi-year lease on the 15,000 sq. ft. West Loop neighborhood property that was a former railroad depot, with renovations slated to begin this fall, according to a press release.
News of the new Guinness location in Chicago, the second in the U.S., comes about a year after Diageo Beer Co. president Nuno Teles told Brewbound that the company was exploring as many as three additional taproom locations in the states.
The new Chicago space will beis the second U.S. brewing facility and taproom for Guinness. In 2018, Guinness Open Gate Brewery opened in Baltimore, Maryland. Since opening, the brewery has entertained more than 900,000 visitors and produced 250 experimental brews, the company said according to the press release.
In Chicago, a 10 barrel brewing system will be installed for small-batch and taproom-exclusive brews. Guinness Draught Stout and other Guinness flagships will be imported to the taproom from the brewery’s St. James’ Gate facility in Dublin, Ireland.
“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,” Jay Sethi, Diageo’s chief marketing officer in the U.S., said in a press release. “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 taproom will feature a patio space and restaurant, with food and events. More than 75 new jobs will be created to support operations.
“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,” Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said in the release. “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.”
The new taproom is not Diageo’s only local project in Chicago. Earlier this year, Diageo North America partnered with the city of Chicago to commit $2.5 million to support the city’s economic recovery. Funds from Diageo, managed by the Choose Chicago marketing firm, were allocated for community projects across the city, including grant awards for up to $250,000 per applicant.
September 24, 2020 9:00 AM ET
Diageo will invest more than $40 million in the project, according to Jay Sethi, Diageo Beer Company CMO.
“The city was a natural choice to bring our first neighborhood hub to life. 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,” Sethi told Brewbound. “In addition to being one of Guinness’ biggest markets in the U.S., Chicago is of course home to a one-of-a-kind St. Patrick’s Day celebration each and every year.”