Whiner Beer Co. to Close Back of the Yards Taproom
Chicago's Whiner Beer Company will close its brewery and taproom in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on March 29. The brewery, known for its Le Tub saison, operated for a decade. The company cited persistent challenges within the neighborhood as the reason for the closure.
- Co-founder Brian Taylor was instrumental in developing the acclaimed "Sour Sisters" series of barrel-aged ales during his time at Goose Island, bringing a pedigree of innovation in wild fermentation to Whiner. His partner, Ria Neri, is a Certified Cicerone who curated the beer programs for respected Chicago establishments such as Bangers & Lace, Trenchermen, and Lone Wolf. - Whiner Beer Co. was a key tenant in The Plant, a food business incubator in a former meatpacking facility focused on a "circular economy." The brewery was designed to be a zero-waste operation, with its spent grain intended to fuel an anaerobic digester to create energy for the entire building. - The brewery's name has a dual meaning; it's a nod to their use of wine barrels for aging and an inside joke between the founders. Co-founder Ria Neri is also the creative force behind the brand's distinctive cat-heavy label artwork and overall aesthetic. - In addition to co-founding Whiner, Ria Neri is also the founder of Four Letter Word Coffee, a roastery that began on an island off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey, before establishing a Chicago presence. - The Back of the Yards neighborhood has historically faced economic challenges, including periods of disinvestment following the closure of the Union Stockyards in 1971. This environment presents ongoing hurdles for local businesses. - The closure reflects broader pressures on the craft beer industry, which has seen a slowdown in growth and increased competition after a period of rapid expansion. In the past two years, approximately 10 percent of Illinois' craft breweries have closed.
