About is/was brewing
From is/was brewing's own website and its Google listing, read September 26, 2026.
is/was brewing is a Chicago brewery with a taproom in the Ravenswood neighborhood. It focuses on the Saison style. Its website says co-founder Mike Schallau has grown it into one of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine's Top 20 Saison Breweries in the world.
The brewery says it makes beers that are as complex and contemplative as they are approachable. It uses Brettanomyces yeast and bottle conditions its saisons for natural carbonation. The name reflects the idea that each bottle keeps evolving after it is filled.
Schallau began at Pipeworks Brewing as an unpaid intern. He went on to oversee daily operations, recipe development and the barrel aging program there. The website says his beers have won multiple gold medals at the Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers.
The taproom is friendly to well behaved children and dogs. Google lists a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom and seating. The online store sells cans and bottles.
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- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
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Questions people ask
Answers come from is/was brewing's website and its Google listing, read September 26, 2026.
Are kids and dogs welcome at is/was?
The taproom page says it is friendly to well behaved children and dogs.
Is is/was wheelchair accessible?
Google lists a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom and seating.
What kind of beer does is/was make?
Its website says it is currently focused on the Saison style. It uses Brettanomyces and bottle conditioning in its saisons.
Where can I buy is/was beer?
You can buy it in the brewery's online store, or find Illinois stores that carry it on the store locator page of its website. The brewery cannot guarantee stock at any given store, so it suggests calling ahead.
Which breweries are close by?
Urban Brew Labs is under 0.1 miles away. Half Acre Beer Co, Cultivate by Forbidden Root and Band Of Bohemia are each 0.5 miles away.
Breweries near is/was brewing
Before you visit is/was
Check the draft list on iswasbrewing.com before you go. The taproom page says the menu is subject to change. Friday and Saturday hours run later than the rest of the week.
Come ready for saison. The website describes the style as very dry, drinkable and complex. Its glossary explains Brettanomyces and bottle conditioning if you want to read up first.
Urban Brew Labs is under 0.1 miles away, so it is easy to walk between the two. Half Acre Beer Co is a short drive at 0.5 miles.
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