Tour Old Irving Brewing, The Realization of the Late-Homaro Cantu’s Dream

It’s been a long journey for the owners of Old Irving Brewing Co., but their perseverance should soon be rewarded. The brewpub will open next week at 4419 W. Montrose Ave., and patrons will finally officially get to sip the beers brewed by Trevor Rose-Hamblin (Moto) and taste the menu developed Matthias Merges’ (Yusho, Billy Sunday) Folkart Restaurant Management.

Old Irving sprang from the Crooked Fork Brewing Co. project announced two years ago by the late Homaro Cantu. After Cantu’s death, Rose-Hamblin and brewery partner Jeff Linnemeyer grieved. Eventually they pivoted and adjusted their plans to include Merges.

They’ve worked together to create a massive space where groups can loiter, play cornhole on the North Side and enjoy themselves by watching the brewing process. There’s TVs, but sports aren’t the focus. Owners are contemplating getting out the projector hosting movie nights. Rose-Hamblin said the place feels a bit like Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies. The atmosphere and food are distinct from The Finch Kitchen, the other Merges brewery project. There's even a quote from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" author Washington Irving on the wall.

Take a sneak peek below.

Sarah Joyce/Eater Chicago

Sarah Joyce