Nanobrewery expected to open this year in East Dundee
What started as a hobby soon will become a full-fledged business for Chris and Teresa Kennedy, who plan to open a nanobrewery this year in downtown East Dundee.
Black & Gray Brewing Co. is the first commercial tenant confirmed for the new development at 311 Barrington Ave., which contains space for retail, restaurants and upper-level apartments. The nanobrewery, which is taking over roughly 2,500 square feet, will include equipment, a tap room and a garage door opening to an outdoor patio, Chris Kennedy said.
Kennedy's passion for brewing beer began about three years ago when, at his wife's recommendation, he started trying out stovetop recipes at his Prairie View house. He later set up a brewing station in his garage before eventually building his own brew house and inviting family and friends over for tastings.
"We were excited about it," Kennedy said. "I started brewing every chance I could get."
A different nanobrewery had been slated for the 311 Barrington Ave. building since before construction began more than two years ago. The village updated its zoning regulations at the time to allow a small brewery to make up to 155,000 gallons of beer per year, that could be distributed to other establishments or sold and consumed on site.
After hearing the original operators backed out, the Kennedys approached developers Tracy Burnidge and Terry Donati about their business plan and checked out the site.
"It was history from there," Teresa Kennedy said. "This started out as a dream and a vision, and now it's a reality. It's so exciting."
The Kennedys are aiming to open Black & Gray Brewing Co. by Labor Day weekend, Chris Kennedy said, but the nanobrewery first has to get approval at the federal, state and local levels. East Dundee will need to create a new liquor license to allow beer to be brewed, sold and consumed on site, Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen said.
"These microbreweries are the new wave. This is very cutting edge. I think that's why it's so exciting for us," Johnsen said. "It truly complements what we already have to offer in the downtown."
The nanobrewery won't have a kitchen, but customers will be allowed to bring their own food and eat in the tap room, Teresa Kennedy said. She also intends to make the business pet-friendly.
The brewery will offer 12 rotating taps with a mix of craft options and classic beer styles, Chris Kennedy said. He said he wants to be able to appeal to the masses, including a blue-collar worker stopping by after work or a biker riding by on the Fox River Trail.
"The goal is to always have something fresh and new for someone to come in and try, while also having some standards that people enjoy and know will be here when they want to come in," Kennedy said. "It's hard to judge yourself, but I think we're making beer people will like."