Eris, Chicago’s First Cider Taproom, to Open on Friday

The owners of Eris Brewery and Cider House received some good news on Thursday morning when state officials finally issued Chicago’s first cider taproom its liquor license. All systems are go in Irving Park as Eris will finally open its doors to the general public at 11 a.m. on Friday. After years of planning and construction the Eris team will finally get to serve their beer, ciders, and food at the century-old converted church/Masonic temple at 4240 W. Irving Park Road.

Eris’s first floor features 20-foot ceilings and a perch with more seating that overlooks the main dining room. That main room showcases large windows that stretch from floor to ceiling. The upstairs isn’t open yet, but when it’s ready, they will host private events. There even are plans for a roof deck, eventually.

Nick Fochtman

The three floors represent a labor of love for co-owners Michelle Foik and Katy Pizza. They are beer industry vets with experience at Goose Island Brewing and Virtue Cider. They’re joined by head brewer Hayley Shine (Rock Bottom Brewery) and executive chef Jonathan Trubow (Wishbone, Harry Caray’s, Chief O’Neill’s).

While Chicago has cider bars (The Northman) and a cidery (Right Bee Cider), Eris is a unique venture bringing upscale pub food, plus draft beer and cider together under one roof inside a 20,000-square-foot space. Eris could become a destination for the Northwest Side neighborhood and Chicagoans can take their first bite out of the apple on Friday morning.