CONTACT PERSON:
Patrice Roche, Marketing & Communications Specialist
Elmhurst Historical Museum
(630) 833-1457
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 2, 2015
“Beer Chicago” exhibit taps into the Windy City’s beer, tavern, and
brewery history
New exhibit opens September 18 at Elmhurst Historical Museum
ELMHURST, IL – Beer seems to be absolutely everywhere these days. From craft breweries
popping up in Chicago and its suburbs to homebrewers concocting specialty beers in their
basements, Chicagoans seem to have an unquenchable thirst for beer.
Beer has always been a part of Chicago’s history. German immigrants established Chicago’s
first brewery in 1833, serving its beer to the 200 early residents drinking in the city’s three
taverns. That same year at one of these establishments—Sauganash Tavern—the Town of
Chicago became official after a gathering and vote of 12 to 1. Beer has been a component of
Chicago’s colorful fabric ever since, and its popularity continues to surge today with the
emergence of a vibrant craft beer industry.
The Elmhurst Historical Museum is brewing up an exciting original exhibit to share Chicago’s
beer, brewery, and tavern history. “Beer Chicago: The Refreshing History” opens September 19,
2015 through February 14, 2016, and taps into Chicago’s cultural and historical connections to
what is arguably the Windy City’s favorite beverage.
A POPULAR SUBJECT MATTER
Elmhurst Historical Museum’s curator of exhibits, Lance Tawzer, is making no small plans to tell
this story, and the timing couldn’t be better. “Interest in beer—from the flavors and ingredients to
the people that make the beverage and the taverns that serve it—has elevated to an all-time
high,” said Tawzer, who has earned numerous museum industry awards for creating engaging
cultural history exhibits over the past few years. “We are always seeking ways to interpret history
from different angles, creating interesting exhibits that provoke thought and captivate new
audiences. I think Chicago’s beer history provides an ideal basis for an exhibit because it is one
of those subjects that we can have a little fun with but also tell a serious story about a craft that
developed into an industry that has impacted the city and its people since Chicago’s inception.”
Museum exhibit partner Liz Garibay, a Chicago beer and tavern historian and author, wrote the
exhibit text and has led many a pub crawl and tavern tour in the city. “Her vast knowledge of
Chicago’s beer and tavern history made Liz a natural fit for helping us to write the exhibit
content,” said Tawzer. “She brings a fresh and lively perspective that I think visitors will
appreciate.” Tawzer added that plans are already in place for the exhibit to travel to other
institutions throughout the region in the coming years as part of the Elmhurst Historical
Museum’s traveling exhibit program.
Garibay will be partnering with the museum in the coming months to present a number of beerrelated talks and tours. “This is going to be a very interactive exhibit, and our programs are an
important facet of the experience,” Tawzer said. “After all, drinking beer is a highly social activity,
so our goal is to bring people together to learn about beer and appreciate its history.”
EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the “Beer Chicago” exhibit include: an interactive “bar” featuring a bartender who
will share his knowledge of Chicago beer history with patrons, a science of beer-making handson activity station, profiles on Chicago breweries—names like Peter Hand, Lill & Diversey, and
Schoenhofen—and a section on Elmhurst’s own beer brewing and tavern history. “Elmhurst has
German roots, so beer brewers were present early in the city’s history,” said Tawzer. “Many
people don’t know that Baderbrau was originally brewed here, and it’s exciting to note that the
Baderbrau brand is being resurrected with a new brewery planned to open in the South Loop.”
Tap into a refreshing perspective on Chicago history with the new “Beer Chicago” exhibit, open
to the public from September 18, 2015 through February 14, 2016. Elmhurst Historical Museum
visitation hours are: Sunday, Tuesday through Friday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m.; Third Thursdays, 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. General admission and limited on-site parking are
free. For the latest exhibit and program information, please like the museum’s Facebook page,
visit www.elmhursthistory.org, or call (630) 833-1457.
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The Elmhurst Historical Museum is a department of the City of Elmhurst and supported by the Elmhurst
Heritage Foundation. The Museum is located at 120 E. Park Ave. in downtown Elmhurst. General
admission is free with nominal fees for special programs. For more information, call 630-833-1457 or visit
our web site at www.elmhursthistory.org.
SIDEBAR
“Beer Chicago” Programs and Special Events
A number of engaging on-site and off-site programs, including brewery tours, monthly talks, and
a celebratory Craft Beer Fest, are on the menu to enhance the visitor experience during the
“Beer Chicago” exhibit.
Thirsty Third Thursdays, October 15/November 19/January 21, 6:30–8:00 p.m. FREE
Elmhurst Historical Museum is open late on Third Thursdays to provide evening hours to view
the “By All Accounts” exhibit. In addition, three Thirsty Third Thursday Beer Talk & Tasting
programs will be held in the Museum’s Education Center during the exhibit’s run. Chicago beer
guru Liz Garibay will lead each session focused on the following themes: October 15–Early
Chicago Beer History (tasting by Temperance Brewing), November 19–The Saloon and Ethnic
Identities (tasting by Revolution Brewing), and January 21–Chicago Beer Today (tasting by
Marz Brewing).
Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest, September 19, 1:00–5:00 p.m. Tickets: $35/$45 after Sept. 11
Join in a craft brew celebration and fundraiser to benefit Elmhurst Heritage Foundation and
Rotary Club of Elmhurst, and to kick off the “Beer Chicago: A Refreshing History” exhibit. Be
among the first to see the new exhibit, and enjoy a fun fall afternoon on the Museum grounds
sampling more than 50 craft beer selections from 29 craft and microbreweries including Two
Brothers, Lagunitas, Church Street, Argus, Lakefront, Schlafly, Goose Island, and more. Ticket
price includes souvenir tasting glass, 18 beer tasting tickets, light snacks, door prizes, live
music, and more under a tent on the EHM grounds. See a full list of participating brewers and
order tickets at www.elmhurstcraftbeerfest.com.
Windy City Pub Crawl, October 24, 1:00–6:30 p.m. Tickets: $45 Members/$50 NonMembers
Beer and saloons played important roles in Chicago’s history and growth. Chicago beer and
tavern historian Liz Garibay will lead an informative pub crawl to four historic city taverns that
allow participants the opportunity to see—and taste—aspects of Chicago’s past. Food and
beverage purchases are the responsibility of participants. Register at www.elmhursthistory.org.
Make It Two: Chicago Brewery Tours, November 7, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Tickets: $45
Members/$50 Non-Members
Hop aboard a coach bus with beer guru Liz Garibay to visit two different breweries to learn more
about beer making and its role in Chicago history. First stop is Motor Row Brewing, located in a
historic building in the South Loop. From there, it’s off to Lagunitas Brewing Co. in the Douglas
Park neighborhood. After an informative tour, participants will have time to sample some great
beer. Register at www.elmhursthistory.org.
CAPTION:
The new exhibit, “Beer Chicago: The Refreshing History,” opens at the Elmhurst Historical
Museum on September 18.