The taproom at Baderbräu Brewery has finally opened after months of delay. I work nearby, and I have been keeping my eye on it for a year now. I was finally able to stop by and try a beer this afternoon and I enjoyed the space. The taproom does not offer food currently, but they do have menus available from several local area restaurants that will deliver. They had 10 beers listed on tap (only Baderbräu brews, no guest taps currently), but I believe that only 8 of them were actually available. Three of the beers were available in cans: Baderbräu Pilsener, South Side Pride, and High Noon, their hefeweizen. The space is modern and inviting, with many vintage touches, such as an original ad for “Leterstone Sales Co./Majestic Handle Co.” painted on the original brick exterior of the building (now part of the interior–you will pass it on the stairs as you climb to the second-floor taproom).
The seating area at Baderbrau Brewery
Baderbrau mural
As you enter the business, it may not be immediately apparent where to go. I was left wondering if they were actually open as I walked in, even though they have a large “now open” banner on the exterior of the building. There is a kind of bare-bones entryway and no signage to direct you. To find the taproom, you will walk through the entry area and climb the stairs all the way to the left, then pass by a glassed-in seating area with tables and chairs to the left of the stairs (I originally thought this might be the taproom), and turn to the right at the top of the stairs and walk down a wood-lined hallway. The taproom is quite large, almost gymnasium-sized, and it has graffiti-style murals along the wall that looks down over the actual brewery operation. There are picnic style tables, a seating area with couches and club chairs, and barstools at the bar. The west wide of the building has large windows that look over a vacant lot near State Street.
Baderbrau Beer Menu
I tried their Veloci-Radler, which they describe as the “beer-mosa”. It was light and citrusy and refreshing after a morning spent in the garden. The remaining taps listed included the three canned beers mentioned above, Naked Selfie (black IPA), MyBOCK (just guessing that this is their Maibock style beer), Lawnmower Lager (one of the beers they currently market in bottles at local Whole Foods Markets and other grocers), and EZ Squeezie (All Day IPL). The two beers that were listed buy not currently available were Red Velvet (described as a big, bold bock), and Blizza!, an unfiltered, hoppy lager.
Behind the bar at Baderbrau
I was served by owner and founder Rob Sama, and he mentioned to me that they plan to offer an Oktoberfest beer during that season. I look forward to trying it. I also look forward to bringing a group of coworkers to the taproom for an after-work happy hour. It seems like a perfect space for that kind of gathering.
The Baderbräu Taproom is located at 2515 S Wabash Ave in Chicago. The street directly in front of the entrance is permit-parking only, so be sure to check the signage carefully before parking your car.
