GOOSE ISLAND — Goose Island Beer Co. is opening its long-awaited brewpub in the Salt Shed entertainment complex next month, just across the river from its namesake island.
The brewpub will open May 3 in the building along the Chicago River next to the Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave., which began hosting outdoor concerts in 2022 and indoor shows last year.
The move comes four months after the iconic Chicago craft brewer closed its original Clybourn taproom, 1800 N. Clybourn Ave., after more than 30 years. It marked an end of an era for Goose Island, which grew to become one of Chicago’s best-known craft beer companies before being sold to mega-brewer Anheuser-Busch in 2011.
The new brewpub will feature “both indoor and outdoor seating, a revamped menu, and an ever-changing beer list,” a company representative said in an email. Food options will include a smash burger, a “smoked trout melt” and a “burnt carrot” sandwich.
In a 2022 statement when news of the move broke, Goose Island founder John Hall said he was “all in” when Salt Shed management approached the brewery about joining the sprawling development — and that the venue gels with Goose Island’s longtime support of live music.
“It really clicked in 1997 when Los Lobos played at the brewery,” Hall said. “That show really kicked off our passion for music, and since then we’ve had 312unes, tons of local musician collaborations, we throw a great block party every year and it’s a natural and exciting fit for us to bring our beer to this incredible performance and community space.”
The Salt Shed is operated by 16″ On Center, the hospitality group that owns the Empty Bottle, Thalia Hall, the Promontory and other venues and restaurants.
Goose Island also operates a taproom in the West Loop at 1800 W. Fulton St.
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