New Brewery Aims for Ravenswood Location, 2014 Open Date

The smell of hops will be thick in the air as another brewery plans its home for Ravenswood. 

Empirical Brewery, LLC signed a lease at 1801 W. Foster Ave., near Ravenswood Avenue. 

The 19,300 square-foot space will open as a brewery and taproom by early 2014, Chicago Real Estate Daily reports. 

Edgewater resident William Hurley and brewmaster Art Steinhoff are heading the venture, which is starting with three initial beers. Those include a Prime Vertical IPA, Atomic Amber and Event Horizon Stout. 

Steinhoff cut his teeth at Flatlanders Restaurant and Brewery in Lincolnshire, and before that a brewpub in Wisconsin, CRED reports. 

For the last two years, Hurley has been working as a financial analyst by day and forming the company during his spare time. 

Join Patch for more neighborhood news and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

The name Empirical represents a scientific approach to beer. 

"The empirical method – using a collection of data to base theory or derive conclusions – is a great representation of our brewing process," according to the brewery's website. "Our logo is based on the ancient cuneiform symbol for beer. It is associated with the anthropological sciences and is a nod to the heritage of beer brewing."

While Empirical is only one block north of Metropolitan Brewing, it's no secret the German lager-style brewery is looking for new digs. Co-owner Tracy Hurst said she's looking at spaces around 30,000 square feet, about six times larger than the brewery's current home at 5121 N. Ravenswood Ave. 

Aside from Metropolitan, Empirical joins Begyle and Half Acre breweries, both within a 2 square-mile radius.