Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago finally opens this summer

First announced in Sept. 2021, Guinness Open Gate Brewery (OGB) Chicago will open its doors to the public this coming summer in the West Loop neighborhood. This is Guinness’ second brewing facility and taproom in the United States, the first of which is the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore, Md.

“Chicago and Guinness have been part of each other’s stories for more than a century, and OGB Chicago has been a dream throughout – we are thrilled to open our doors to the West Loop community this summer,” said Ryan Wagner, national ambassador of Guinness. “As we grow closer to the opening date, we are looking forward to the brewery becoming a part of our new neighborhood with a lively food and beverage program, unique retail offerings and impactful community partnerships.”

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago will deliver an American craft beer experience that is authentically Guinness and distinctly local. The taproom will showcase local collaborations that highlight the rich history and flavors of Chicago, bringing the style of each of Chicago’s 77 unique neighborhoods to life within the taproom walls.

“Guinness has a long history of hospitality, communion and bringing people together from all walks of life, and that fits so well with the spirit of Chicago,” said Rodney Williams, president, Diageo Beer Company. “This is a great moment in time for Guinness in America, and we can’t wait to tap into all the different flavors and variety of heritages represented in this great city.”

The brewery’s name takes inspiration from the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Dublin – the brand’s original location, where it has innovated and experimented in beer for more than a century.

“At the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, we are engaging with the community through a number of local Chicago partnerships, and we’re just getting started,” said Wagner. “It is extremely important that we highlight the diversity of our new home and continue to lead in sustainability initiatives that work towards the greater good.”

Sustainable design | The brewery will feature solar panel arrays and will pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification for the site. The brewery is also strengthening an existing relationship with Open Water, a Chicago-based bottled water company committed to reducing single-use plastic and carbon emissions. The company’s products have been featured at the OGB Baltimore for the last several years.

Coffee program coming | The OGB Chicago also plans to work with Chicago-based coffee company Intelligentsia on developing and implementing its coffee program and will continue its partnership with Baltimore’s Cane Collective on the development of both beer cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Life skills program | Additionally, Guinness will bring parent company Diageo’s Learning Skills for Life program to Chicago. The program, which provides unemployed and underemployed individuals with free hospitality and employability skills training, is currently running in five locations across North America, and will launch in Chicago this spring.