The Beeronaut

Carryout and Virtual Craft Beer Weekend, May 1-3

Amid our concerns about brewers and establishments closing over the COVID-19 “stay-at-home”, we actually news of new brewers.

Crushed by Giants posted to their Facebook that they have passed all of their inspections, and are approved to operate as a brewery. The facility, from the owners of DryHop and Corridor breweries, is coming to 600 N. Michigan Ave., site of the former Heaven on Seven restaurant.

Nik & Ivy Brewing has announced that they building a taproom at 1026 S. State St. in Lockport. They’ve already posted photos of fermentation tanks arriving at the downtown location, and are looking toward a summer opening.

Also this week, Orland Park’s village board has approved a redevelopment plan for the site of the closed Toy “R” Us store at 151st St. and LaGrange Rd. The plan would see a Chiptle and Panera Bread in one new building, a Raising Cane’s Chicken Figures with a drive-through, and a BJ’s Brewhouse as an “anchor.” This would be the first Illinois location for the California-based chain. It would fill a gap in Orland Park after the closing of Granite City and with Rock Bottom’s status uncertain. Patch

You may notice most of the listings for online events are dropping the map icon linking to the Google Map of the location. I’ve set my script to drop it if the location starts with the word “online.” But if the event suggests you get the beer for carryout, I’ll try to leave it in.