Closed Elmhurst Brewery Being Replaced

ELMHURST, IL – A new company is preparing to take over Elmhurst Brewing Co., which closed last month after seven years.

The coming business at 171 N. Addison Ave. is 93 Octane Brewery, which has a location in St. Charles.

Responding to a Patch inquiry, 93 Octane's public relations firm said details about the new brewery are still coming together and that it expects an announcement soon.

On June 8, Elmhurst Brewing announced it was closing June 29 and selling to another brewery.

"Running a brewpub over the last few years became increasingly challenging, with rising labor costs, increased food costs, changing customer behavior, and that the younger drinking-age generation isn't consuming beer like previous generations," the business said in the post.

Elmhurst Brewing also pointed to the state's minimum wage: It is now $15, up from $8.25 in 2018.

"Raising food and beer prices as little as possible still resulted in low profit margins," Elmhurst Brewing said. "And with neither owner coming from a hospitality background, we gave it our best shot, and have zero regrets."

The business said it was proud to be the first brewpub in Elmhurst. It said it won 13 medals and "best of show" awards, including a gold medal at the international Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer a few months ago and a bronze at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

Elmhurst Brewing said it held the only area open mic night consistently for the last seven years.