Pilot Project Brewing opening second Chicago location in Wrigleyville

Key Takeaways:

• Pilot Project Brewing is opening a second Chicago location in Wrigleyville.
• The new facility includes a tap room, restaurant, rooftop deck, and the Devious Lounge cocktail bar.
• The company employs 130 people and has generated $12 million in revenue since 2019.
• Pilot Project’s incubator program has launched 20 beverage brands, including niche products like Donna’s Pickle Beer.
• Despite industry challenges, Pilot Project continues to thrive while other breweries close.

Pilot Project Brewing Expands Amid Industry Challenges

The craft brewing industry has faced significant headwinds in recent years, but Chicago’s Pilot Project Brewing is charting a different course. This spring, the company is set to open its second Chicago location in Wrigleyville, showcasing a tap room, restaurant, rooftop deck, and an innovative basement cocktail lounge.

A New Hub Near Wrigley Field

Situated just two blocks from Wrigley Field, the new location boasts a sprawling 3,500-square-foot patio facing Clark Street, offering patrons a vibrant outdoor space. The patio will provide access to a rooftop deck that Pilot Project plans to develop further throughout the summer.

Co-founder Dan Abel expressed particular excitement about transforming the underutilized basement space. “What’s going to be really fun and a little bit different for us is this basement that was kind of unrealized and a little too separated from the main area,” Abel explained. “So we’re turning it into a cocktail lounge.” Dubbed the Devious Lounge, this “proper cocktail room” will accommodate about 40 guests, contributing to the location’s overall capacity of around 300 people.

Growing Against the Grain

Pilot Project’s expansion is notable in a market where many breweries are scaling back or shutting down. Since its inception in 2019, the company has grown to employ 130 people and generated approximately $12 million in revenue. This success stands in stark contrast to other local breweries. Last May, Lagunitas Brewing moved its North Lawndale brewhouse to Petaluma, California, citing declining sales and changing industry dynamics. Revolution Brewing’s Brewpub in Logan Square closed permanently in December after nearly 15 years, and other establishments like Lo Rez Brewing, Empirical Brewery, and Metropolitan Brewing have also shuttered.

According to the Brewers Association, craft brewer volume sales in the U.S. decreased by 1% in 2023, even as retail dollar sales increased by 3% to $28.9 billion, partly due to price hikes. In 2024, the industry saw 335 new brewery openings but 399 closures nationwide, highlighting the challenging environment.

An Incubator for Innovation

Central to Pilot Project’s resilience is its unique incubator program, which has launched 20 different beverage brands. This initiative supports a diverse range of products, from traditional beers to niche offerings like kombucha, nonalcoholic blends, and the quirky Donna’s Pickle Beer.

Donna’s Pickle Beer originated with Josh Jancewicz, a former United States Postal Service employee from Hollywood, California. Seeking a new path, Jancewicz experimented with home brewing. “I was just trying to create any idea that I could come up with for a new business and not be a mailman anymore,” he shared.

The inspiration struck during a trip to the desert with friends. “We were drinking some beers and eating pickles. I was like, ‘There’s something here, and I just don’t know what.’ And the next day, I’m driving home, and it was like ‘Donna’s Pickle Beer. That’s it.'” After facing numerous rejections, Jancewicz found a receptive partner in Pilot Project. “They understood it. They saw it, and they liked the concept,” he said.

With Pilot Project’s support, the first batch of 400 cases was released last April. In just a year and a half, production has soared to over 5,000 cases a month, showcasing the power of the company’s incubator model.

A Music Industry Approach

Abel attributes much of Pilot Project’s success to a business model inspired by the music industry. “We’re both like a recording studio and a record label, except for beverages,” he noted. Abel’s background in home brewing, music performance, and marketing has been instrumental in shaping this innovative approach.

The new Wrigleyville location offers an opportunity to “push the capabilities of what the restaurant and brewery can do,” Abel said. “Wrigleyville, much different than Logan Square, gets to be a place where we test high volume—the game day traffic, all the fun stuff.”

Looking Ahead

Pilot Project aims to welcome guests to the Wrigleyville spot around the same time the Chicago Cubs season kicks off in the spring. As the industry navigates ongoing challenges, the company’s commitment to innovation and support for diverse beverage creators positions it as a beacon of growth and resilience.

Pilot Project Brewing’s Logan Square location is at 2140 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-270-5995, pilotprojectbrewing.com.