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Lo Rez Brewing, which opened in the Pilsen neighborhood in 2016, announced its closing Wednesday, with the co-founder calling it a “pandemic casualty.”
On social media, co-founder Dave Dahl said the taproom and distribution revenue never recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered restaurants, bars and breweries across the country.
“Our income is down, our expenses are up, we’re too far out of whack. Lo Rez is no longer financially viable,” Dahl said on Instagram.
The pandemic changed the whole industry, Dahl told the Tribune on Thursday. Everything from the producers, distributors and consumer habits changed, prompting Dahl to eventually embrace the end of the brewery.
Since the announcement Wednesday, Dahl said the outpouring of support has been “just wonderful to see.” He’s heard from former employees, friends and strangers who have all expressed what the community has meant to them.
“It’s wonderful to see the people I’m close to react so positively. And it is even more flooring to see people I don’t even know, that outpour of love and gratitude. It’s pretty amazing,” Dahl said.
Whether it was staring at spreadsheets or brewing late into the night, Dahl said ending each day with people he cares about was one of the most memorable parts of Lo Rez.
“Whether I had a fantastic day, or a pain in the neck day, I walk out and I walk into my favorite bar, drinking my favorite beer, goofing around with my staff‚ talking with regulars and friends. That’s a pretty incredible way to cap off any night,” he said.
The brewery opened in 2016 at 2101 S. Carpenter St., with a warehouselike interior lined with brick walls and string lights. It quickly garnered a reputation for its community involvement, partnering with local nonprofits such as El Paseo Community Garden and Venados Run Club.
For several years, it hosted street festivals that featured live music, art and craft vendors, and an assortment of food trucks. It became a fan favorite for neighbors and Chicago beer enthusiasts alike, getting a nod as a finalist for the Chicago Tribune’s Readers’ Choice Food Awards in 2022 for Best Under-the-Radar Brewery.
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Dahl told the Tribune the 2022 outdoor Bloktoberfest was one of his favorite events. He had an idea of how many people might show up to the outdoor concert and vendor event, but was blown away by how packed the first night was.
“I still get people stopping me in the street asking, ‘Are you guys doing Bloktoberfest?’” he said.
Lo Rez also celebrated a different Chicago artist every month through their “REZIDENT” initiative, a partnership with the Pilsen Arts & Community House. Artists presented their work while also supporting grassroots fundraising, according to the brewery’s website.
Lo Rez’s last day of business will be Sept. 3 — but not without a celebration. Expect lots of closing events, Dahl said.
“I can’t thank everybody enough. I really appreciate everyone coming out of the woodwork. I just hope that everybody who’s inclined to, to come out,” Dahl said. “It’s going to be a lot of gorgeous fun.”
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