Long-Awaited Debut Of Homewood Brewing Company Is Set

HOMEWOOD, IL — On Friday, Oct. 18, in honor of her son Jarad “Juice WRLD” Higgins, Carmela Wallace will host the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Homewood Brewing Company, a "vibrant, creative, and welcoming space for community gathering, music, great food, and great beer," brewery reps said in a release.

At age 19, Jarad Higgins became “Juice WRLD,” a rapper, singer and songwriter of soulful rap music who saw a meteoric rise while speaking candidly about his struggle with addiction and depression, the company said.

"Taken too soon, Jarad’s creativity and his powerful connection with fans now serve as the inspiration behind Homewood Brewing Company," according to the release. "Filled with artistic tributes to his spirit, the brewery stands as both a celebration of Jarad’s legacy and an opportunity to give back to the Homewood community that embraced his mother, Carmela, as she raised him."

Inspired by his aunt’s Creole cooking he grew up eating, Head Chef Robert Lauderdale will oversee the food. Homewood Brewing Company’s menu reflects a love for upscale comfort food and from-scratch cooking. The in-house smoker is the heart of the kitchen, infusing homemade sausages, seasonal small plates, and hearty entrées with a delicious smokiness. Behind Chef Lauderdale is a dedicated team of culinary professionals who bring their own expertise and creativity to ensure each dish reflects the company’s commitment to quality and flavor.

Brian Wallace, Jarad’s brother and a passionate craft beer enthusiast and seasoned homebrewer, leads the brewing efforts at Homewood Brewing Company. His expert team blends seasonal ingredients with meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of traditional brewing techniques. They have not only built a reliable, high-quality system to keep fan favorites flowing but also developed a second system for small-batch, one-of-a-kind, sometimes crazy brews.

Homewood Brewery is a proud benefactor of Live Free 999, the foundation Carmela founded in Jarad’s honor that focuses on addressing mental health challenges and substance dependency. Homewood Brewing Company will support Live Free 999 by donating a percentage of all proceeds from an always-on-tap benefit beer.

The grand opening celebration open to the public is set for 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. Homewood Brewing Company is located at 18225 Dixie Hwy.