Eulogy for the Chain Brewpub

I remember Granite City or Rock Bottom being the one of maybe two options in some large cities. Now they are obsolete with real craft option.

 

Who needs chain brewpubs when every unique brewery made in the last ten years looks identical to every other one?

 

Here to echo this. BJ's Tatonka and ba Tatonka stouts were how I got started!

 

I enjoyed this quite a bit haha

 

Is World of Beer included in this discussion? Not gonna lie had some great times at WoB, the one I used to frequent was actually I believe only the second one built then the franchise blew up. They were never a mecca for American Craft but had an overall great selection (especially of Belgian beers) especially back when most other local bars at BMC and MAYBE Sam Adams if you were lucky.

 

I'll always have fond memories of the Rock Bottom in Indianapolis. Had my first cask brews there.

 

I asked ChatGPT to write the eulogy so we don't have to. Here's what I got:

Dear friends,

Today, we gather to remember and celebrate the chain brewpubs of the 90s like BJs and Gordon Biersch. These establishments were more than just places to grab a beer; they were a community, a gathering spot for beer enthusiasts, and a place to connect with friends and family.

BJs and Gordon Biersch were pioneers in the craft beer movement, introducing many people to the joys of flavorful, locally-brewed beer. Their brewpubs were often the first places people tried craft beer, and they opened up a whole new world of beer possibilities for many.

But these brewpubs were more than just a place to drink beer. They were also restaurants that served delicious food, and they provided a welcoming environment for people of all ages. Whether you were grabbing a pint with friends after work or bringing your family in for a meal, you knew you were going to be greeted with a smile and a warm welcome.

Sadly, we must now say goodbye to these beloved institutions. The chain brewpubs of the 90s were not immune to the challenges facing the restaurant industry, and many have now closed their doors for good.

But even as we mourn their passing, we must remember the impact they had on our lives. They brought us together, they introduced us to new flavors and experiences, and they created memories that will last a lifetime.

So today, let us raise a glass to the chain brewpubs of the 90s. We will miss them dearly, but we will always be grateful for the joy and community they brought into our lives. Rest in peace, and cheers to the memories.

 

Right. I gave it one sentence and didn't expect much. But that's, well, legit.

 

Didn't brew their own but Old Chicago was frequent hang out chain to find wide selection of beers back in the late 90s

 

Probably about that. What's impressive is I gave it one sentence that was pretty much the title of the thread and two brewery examples, and it immediately started writing. I've had it spend several seconds thinking before writing, but it didn't pause at all this time. Maybe that has to do with how busy the site is, but the fact it can sift through data the fast is pretty impressive.

 

There are a couple of modern craft breweries that are working this model still. Fieldwork in central CA, McMenamins in OR, and Hi-Wire in the central Atlantic area come to mind. It seems like a great way for smaller breweries to expand, as long as they invest in the right people to handle the hospitality side

 

My friend and i once drank 3 pitchers of Tatonka and ended up fighting in the restaurant. Not full blown fight but damn close

 

Including McMenamins in this article surprised me, as they seem to be faring much better than the others mentioned. They choose historic locations and invest a lot in their renovation and transformation to brewpub/lodging, so their timeline for expansion is slow, but as far as I know they are still planning for growth. Their brand is more than just the beer and food, and many include lodging, so they’re not very comparable to Gordon Biersch et al. from the start.

 

Yeah, McMs is a different beast. Each one is unique, not just another clone plopped down by corporate.