Guinness opens second global brewpub in Chicago, importing beer straight from Ireland

CHICAGO - The Guinness Open Gate Brewery opens this week in Chicago’s West Loop, a project two years in the making. It’s only the second Guinness brewpub in the world outside of Dublin.

Guinness officials and Chicago politicians were on hand to cut the ribbon on the brand-new brewery, located inside an old railroad depot at 901 West Kinzie Street in the Fulton Market District. It’s a big operation of 15,000 square feet and employs 80 full-time positions.

All the Guinness poured at the brewpub is being imported from Ireland, but they will also be brewing a number of beers that will be sold exclusively at the Chicago brewery, including a beer made with Illinois corn.

"We have a cream ale, which is called corn maize cream ale, made with local Illinois corn," said brewer Megan Schwarz. "So we're excited about that one too, but trying just to have something for everybody."

There’s also a restaurant with standard pub food and some really cool-looking high-end goodies. And there’s even a bakery that will open at 8 a.m. each morning so that people in the area can stop by and get a cup of coffee, something to eat and work in the bar area.

So why did Guinness decide to open a brewery in Chicago, a city that is already busting at the seams with craft breweries?

"I think in many ways, Chicago has always been home for Guinness," said Ryan Wagner, a Guinness national ambassador. "Our beer has been here since 1910 - more than a hundred years of friendship there."

"I think the Open Gate Brewery building this structure, or renovating this structure, gave a physical home to what has always been a spiritual home for Guinness in many ways. We love the city of Chicago and Guinness has long been a part of that beer story here," he added.

While the Fulton Market District is already bustling with bars and restaurants, 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett believes the Guinness brand will draw a new crowd. 

"Folks coming here from other countries will come here," said Burnett. "They know the Guinness brand. They know this area, and they may visit the other establishments in this community, may fill up our hotels. So I think it's just great for the city of Chicago."

Those brewing the beer at Guinness say they know they're going to have to come out swinging with something special since Chicago is already a craft beer capital.

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery officially opens Thursday at 8 a.m.