Acclaimed Brewery Solemn Oath Plans to Open a Logan Square Location

Chicago-area breweries continue to make themselves comfortable in Logan Square as Solemn Oath Brewery has plans to open what could be the neighborhood’s seventh brewery taproom. There’s a public notice sign posted on a building at 1955 N. Richmond Street announcing the suburban brewery’s intentions. It could open by the end of the year or in early 2019, contingent on city approvals.

Brewery president John Barley isn’t quite yet ready to announce what he’s planning inside the 4,000-square-foot building. He wouldn’t answer if it would be a straight taproom with only beer or if they’d serve food as a brewpub.

Nothing’s set in stone, as the brewery still needs city approvals. A zoning board hearing should take place sometime this month. “The space really spoke to us to the goals we want to achieve,” Barley said.

Barley said he’s been looking for a Chicago location for years. Logan Square fit as the neighborhood is full of bars and restaurants that he and his staff frequent. He estimated about half his Naperville staff live in Chicago.

The brewery debuted in 2012 with a 20,00-square-foot facility in the suburb which makes beer and includes a taproom. The brewery’s lineup includes “Kidnapped by Vikings” (an American IPA) and “Punk Rock For Rich Kids” (a Belgian IPA). They’ve won awards at the Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers for brews like “Limousine of the Damned” and “Ultramegahighfrequency.”

Three brewery taproom or brewpubs with food already serve Logan Square. Barley said they put up the sign on Friday and breweries have already welcomed Solemn Oath to the neighborhood. The beer world is small and Barley talked about how everyone has known and competed with each other for years. “There’s a lot of room for all of us and it’s just cool to be part of it,” Barley said.

Solemn Oath Naperville was among the state’s first brewery taprooms. Due to the experience with state liquor licensing, Barley said he hopes the process will be smooth for the Logan Square facility. Block Club Chicago first noticed the signs.

It’s hard to keep track of the Logan Square beer scene, but this list of neighborhood taprooms and brewpubs will help:

• Revolution Brewing brewpub (opened in 2010)
• Hopewell Brewing Co. taproom (opened in 2016)
• Maplewood Brewing brewpub (opened in 2017)
• Bixi Beer (opening in July)
• Middle Brow Beer brewpub (slated for an early 2019 opening)
• Pipeworks Brewing brewpub (slated for an early 2019 opening, they’ve hired a chef but won’t divulge the identity)