Inside Is/Was Brewing, Ravenwood’s newest brewery | Eater Chicago

"Opened in August at 5121 N. Ravenswood Ave., this taproom strictly showcases saisons, offering six different takes on the French/Belgian style—including the flagship Will Be, a smoked variant called Wisp, and Saison Effyrayant conditioned with fresh sage—most hovering around 5% ABV (ranging roughly from 3.2% to 6.5%). The space is simply decorated with an exposed-brick wall and a colorful draft board, curving booths with plentiful outlets that invite remote work, a bar with small tables, and an overflow room for about 50 more people where games or activities may be added. The founder, who contract-brewed while eyeing the Malt Row building, built the brewery out of a renewed love for delicate, yeast-driven saisons after years working in hoppy, high-ABV IPA environments; he emphasizes complexity and drinkability, pours rotating collaborations and guest drafts from trusted breweries rather than making uninspired versions of other styles, and supplements the lineup with cider, nitro coffee, and a housemade blackberry shrub. Community-oriented efforts include popup events, a 15% pickup discount with a nearby pizza shop, planned makers markets, and an overwhelmingly positive response at opening that drew several-hour lines." - Sam Nelson