Business & Tech

Plainfield Homebrew Supply Store to Expand, Begin Creating New Brews

Chicago Brew Werks already operates a retail shop for at-home beer brewers, but is getting ready to move to a larger space where owner Brandon Wright can create "nanobrew" beers.

A Plainfield retailer catering to homebrew enthusiasts is getting ready to expand. For the past year, Chicago Brew Werks has operated out of a 1,500-square-foot storefront at 12249 Rhea Dr., located behind Binny’s Beverage Depot.

“We sell grain, hops, yeast, equipment — everything people use for brewing [beer] at home,” owner Brandon Wright said.

On Monday night, the Plainfield Village Board signed off on a special use permit that could pave the way for Brew Werks to move into its new home at 14903 S. Center St. by mid-April, Wright said.

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The 4,000-square-foot space will give Brew Werks a larger retail space that will also double as a tasting room once the business becomes licensed to brew its own beers on site.

“We’re what’s considered more of a nanobrewery,” Wright said, explaining Brew Werks will be churning out small batches of craft brews.

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“Everything we do is going to be really hands on,” he added. Wright said the business will offer classes on home brewing, bottling and other tricks of the trade.

Now that the village board has signed off on Brew Werks’ new home, Wright’s next move will be to complete the licensing process before going before the board for liquor license approval.

Wright said he plans to open Brew Werks’ new retail within three weeks, adding that he hopes to close for only one week during the transition.

"We hope to get brewing by late spring," Wright said.

For updates on Chicago Brew Werks, visit the business' website or like its Facebook page.

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