Local Voices
Plainfield Homebrew Store Getting Ready to Launch Brewery
Werk Force Brewing is getting ready to release its first beer brewed on site.
Brandon Wright has always known he wanted to open a brewery.
Next week, that dream will become a reality as the sister business to his homebrew supply shop, Chicago Brew Werks, 14903 Center St., sells its first craft beer brewed on the site.
Making Werk Force Brewing Company a reality has been a labor of love for Wright and his wife, photographer and Acorn Portraits owner Amanda Wright.
"It's my passion," Brandon said of his love for craft beers. "We wanted to bring that to Plainfield."
In January 2012, Brew Werks opened as a homebrew supply retailer at its former location on Rhea Drive, behind Binny's. From the start, the couple knew they wanted to expand into a brewery.
After a year and a half, the business had outgrown the site, which was located in unincorporated Will County — and not zoned for a brewery.
The Plainfield residents began looking for spaces in the village and found their current location on Center Street.
"We live in Plainfield, we love Plainfield — we love the sense of community," Amanda said. "We wanted to bring something we love to the village."
The village welcomed the brewery with open arms, Brandon said. "We worked with them to create a special liquor license because this was totally foreign," he said.
Working with the village may have been fairly painless, but securing the necessary permits from the state took a bit longer. Wright said it took more than seven months to get a permit to begin brewing at the location.
In the meantime, the couple moved the retail shop into the Center Street location and opened up a tasting room serving beer from other area craft breweries.
A week and a half ago, Werk Force got the go-ahead to begin brewing. The first beer brewed on site is nearly ready to go and will be unveiled next week, the couple said.
The small size of the brewery sets it apart from other local brewers, Brandon said. Werk Force has the capacity to brew just two barrels at a time.
He said the smaller batches will allow the brewery to take bigger chances by experimenting with ingredients. The fully stocked homebrew retail shop is also a plus.
"We have access to all these amazing ingredients from around the world," Brandon said. "We're kind of a free-style brewery."
A passion for brewing
Brandon said his passion for homebrewing started when he was a college student at Southern Illinois University."I met some guys who dabbled in it, and I was just floored — I was fascinated by the process," he said. "I started reading books, I went to the library."
Brandon noticed a nearby liquor store carried a small selection of hops and yeast, and decided to try his hand at brewing his first beer.
"At the time, I lived on a street called 'Beveridge Street' — I became known as the Beveridge Street Brewery," he said. "It just grew from there."
Five years ago, Brandon said he began contacting breweries throughout the state, hoping to find a job doing what he loved.
"No one wanted to take on a guy who was just enthusiastic about homebrewing," he said. "I don't know if I'm just headstrong, [but] I was like, 'We're doing this.'"
He said he prides himself on making Brew Werks a place where novice brewers — and even people who have never attempted to brew their own beer — can learn about the process.
Brew Werks recently leased additional space at the Center Street location to begin offering classes on homebrewing. The first classes start in June, Amanda said.
"If you can make mac and cheese, you can brew beer," Brandon said.
He said he's collaborated with staff from the nearby Tailwinds Distillery and other brewing companies, such as Nevin's in Plainfield and Hopvine in Aurora, and professional brewers can often be found discussing their craft in the Brew Werks taproom.
"We get a lot of people that aren't homebrewers but just come in to taste the beer, and they are learning something while they're here," Brandon said.
There are no TVs and no stools at the bar in the taproom.
"What we want is to keep people on their feet and keep people interacting," Brandon said. "The amount of information that's exchanged at this bar top is incredible."
Brew Werks and the taproom are open from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. While tips are accepted at the taproom, all proceeds go to a charity chosen by the Wrights.
Chicago Brew Werks has organized the homebrew pavilion at Plainfield's Midwest Brewers Fest for the last two years. This time, Werk Force Brewing will be pouring beer at the event, set for Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Plainfield Riverfront.
First brew coming soon
While the first keg will be tapped next week, a Werk Force grand opening is tentatively slated for mid-June.Check the Chicago Brew Werks Facebook page for updates on the launch of the first Werk Force Brewing beer. You can also get updates by signing up for the Brew Werks newsletter online.
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