A brewpub focused around the botanical beers of Chicago brewery Forbidden Root has been in the works for quite some time, but now we finally have an opening date. Located in West Town at 1746 W Chicago Ave (in the former home of the Hub Theatre) Forbidden Roots' brewpub is slated to open its doors on February 18. Visitors will be able to enjoy a rotating selection of flavorful beers, including Forbidden Root, Sublime Ginger, Shady Character and WPA, as well as some of the brewery's sodas, which can be modified with house-made flavoring syrups.
The brewpub's menu will be curated by Chef Dan Weiland (formerly of Trencherman, Blackbird, Avec), featuring "American Rustic" dishes that complement Forbidden Root's bold flavors. The initial menu will include fried giardiniere with black garlic ranch, charred carrots with curry yogurt, Forbidden Root cured lamb jerky, and a toasted malt-rubbed hanger steak. Dinner will be served seven days a week and lunch service will be offered in the near future.
Of course, you'll also be able to buy some beer to take home with you. In addition to four-packs and cases, the Forbidden Root brewpub will offer double steel walled, vacuum-sealed, 64-ounce growlers for $35 or a 32-ounce howler for $25.
Those interested in a look behind the scenes can check out the “Rootmaster” laboratory in the brewpub's mezzanine, where brewers will be hard at work concocting new flavors using unconventional ingredients. Forbidden Root plans to offer tours of the brewery at least once a week.
Initial hours will be 4pm–midnight with the kitchen closing at 10pm.