The Guinness Open Gate Brewery opens in the West Loop

The long wait is over as the Guinness Open Gate Brewery, located at 901 West Kinzie St., Chicago, officially opened on September 28, 2023. It’s time for Chicagoans to celebrate this significant moment in the city by toasting with a pint or two.

The Guinness OGB is located just north of the bustling West Loop restaurant district in a fully renovated historic 1908 Pennsylvania Railroad depot. Guinness was first served on draft in Chicago on December 15, 1910. This long relationship between Guinness and Chicago continues today with the opening of the new brewery. The 15,000-square-foot facility will be a local innovation hub with a 10-barrel brewhouse, taproom, restaurant, retail store, and the first-ever Guinness bakery. Chicago is the second brewery location in the U.S., with the Guinness Open Gate Brewery Baltimore opening in 2018.

“This is an exciting step in the continuing evolution of the Guinness brand in America. It’s been a long journey, but we are so thrilled to be opening our doors this week and to contribute to Chicago’s world class food and beer scene,” said Rodney Williams, President of Diageo Beer Company, in a press release from Guinness, “As a Chicago native, I can confidently share that we aim to celebrate and showcase this great city and make a positive impact in the community, all while serving great beer.”

Beer lovers can expect to enjoy 12-16 rotating experimental draft beers, most of which will be brewed on-site and exclusively available only in the taproom. There will also be signature beers like Guinness Draught Stout, Guinness Extra Stout, and Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, coming directly from the brewery in Dublin.

Brewer Megan Schwarz will lead the Chicago facility. Some new local Chicago brews will include a corn maize cream ale made with corn grown in Illinois’ Iroquois County. My new favorite is the mango chile ale. It features a spicy cayenne kick on the back end and some sweet notes of fresh mango at the front.

“Open Gate Brewery is the center of innovation and creativity for Guinness, particularly when it comes to beer,” said Ryan Wagner, National Guinness Ambassador and Head of Marketing, Guinness OGB Chicago, in a press release from Guinness. “Opening in Chicago allows us to be a part of one of the most storied and celebrated beer communities in the United States – and we can’t wait to bring the unique flavors and heritage of Guinness brewing to an exciting tap list that will appeal to every kind of beer drinker. Our brewers Megan and Nate are among the best in the industry, and we’re stoked to share their beers with Chicago and beyond.”

Featured food will include items from Dream Team Hospitality, a joint venture by local industry veterans, with Chef Taylor Bischof leading the kitchen. The menu will feature Irish classics, global flavors, and reimagined Chicago classics. Dishes range from a beer-battered halibut fish sandwich to a Guinness beef stew. I fell in love with their chicken suya skewers with dill yogurt, which showcases a unique Nigerian spice blend, adding a fiery kick to the chicken. The all-day restaurant menu will be available Wednesday through Sunday, along with weekend brunch.

Guinness OGB Chicago will also offer a bakery along with café service daily. It will feature local favorites Intelligentsia Coffee and Aya Pastry, alongside bread and treats baked fresh daily in the brewery. It will be the perfect morning stop as people head into the West Loop for work. Guinness OGB Chicago will also be donating 10,000 loaves of Brewers Bread per year to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The highlight of the taproom is the 10,000-pound harp sculpture with layered ambient lighting above the main taproom bar. All beer sales are limited to guests 21 years of age and over, but the restaurant is open to guests of all ages. For more information, visit guinnessbrewerychicago.com