Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Is Was Brewing

    4.7 (12 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Is Was Brewing Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Is Was Brewing

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    The Will Be And Kettle Chips
    Steve A.

    Checked out this kind of newer brewery that's in the former location of another brewery. Is/Was has quickly become one of the hippest in the city. So many on tap to choose from you could be here forever trying all these. A lot of these are different than most breweries have. The specialty here is the Saison which is a pretty unique style yet they have a whole bunch of varieties. Best use of an old brewery is putting in another one of course. It's in the former location of Urban Brew Labs. The main thing different is almost every beer they make is Saisons. A style a lot of people aren't putting as favorites. There's certain characteristics to it like being rustic and yeasty. It's about $7 a pint. The best one of these we had was the Will Be, the flagship Saison. If not wanting beer there's plenty of other alcohol. They make shrubs, which are cocktails made with herbs. Also there's some options without alcohol. They're covering a lot of bases it seems. For sure there's great variety even with it being mostly one style they're brewing. It's close to the Ravenswood Metra station. There's no food but sometimes they have food trucks.

    Coffee Stout
    Grant A.

    I like beer. My friend suggested this place because a mutual friend lives close by. Came through on New Years eve. I like saisons but I absolutely love stouts!! Got a coffee stout and more traditional drier stout. They were both well made beers. My girlfriend doesn't drink much beer so she went with coffee. When I first saw the dark matter I assumed it was canned but it's on draft instead. I also got a Tree Tipper Saison one with honey.

    Tasha M.

    Totally hidden from the busy streets in Ravenswood this tiny little brewery is such a gem. They have visiting food vendors and you can bring your own food as well. It's relaxed seating and dogs are allowed. So great for a low key weekend afternoon.

    Store front
    Grant S.

    While on a walk in our neighborhood, we stumbled upon the soft launch of is/was brewing. In the former location of Urban Brewlabs, this micro brewery specializes in saisons. We had to stop our walk and go in for a drink. We were sure glad we did! From the moment we entered, we were greeted with a warm welcome and friendly smile from the bartender. He was pleased to see us and gave us the rundown on the soft launch. There were so many great looking drinks on the menu. I debated between the "Joiners" saison with local honey or "The Finer Points of Bad Behavior" with cucumber. I tried both and loved them! However, I went with the "Joiners" because it was more balanced. My husband got the "Will be" flagship saison and it was also scrumptious. I can see why it is the flagship...a solidly delicious classic saison! The vibe of the place is open, clean, and full of character. There is plenty of space to come with a large group, on a date, or just by yourself to do some reading. It also has clean bathrooms and is dog friendly. They are currently open Thursdays through Sundays, 2-8pm during the soft launch. But that is subject to change, so reaching on their contact page to double check might be a good idea. We loved the vibe and definitely plan to intentionally come back to relax and enjoy some other beers! So so excited to see this fabulous new brewery in our neighborhood...revitalizing "Malt Row!" See you again soon, is/was brewing!

    See all

    Photo of Sam L.
    231
    14
    1

    24 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Steve A.
    4748
    5576
    8499

    9 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Great, cozy local spot specializing in Saisons. Great place to explore a unique style of Belgian brewing.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Is Was Brewing

    Review Highlights - Is Was Brewing

    I am not a fan of Saisons per se but I wanted to give this brewery a shot.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Breweries 13,106 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Hopleaf Bar

    Hopleaf Bar

    4.1
    (2.4k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Hopleaf Bar is hands down one of our favorite spots for dinner and drink in all of Chicago!…read more One key to a successful dinning experience at Hopleaf is knowing the three different spaces to engage. When you first walk in, you have to show your ID since this is an adults-only bar establishment. (1) You can then choose to sit in the front bar area, if you want a full menu, but use the bar for ordering service. (2) If you keep walking through the front bar area, you reach the host stand at the top of the ramp. This is where you can put your name in to sit in the main dining room, upstairs, or outside. (3) However, you can also walk through to the left of the host stand to another bar area that has full menus, but bar service for ordering. This is our preferred spot because we can often find a seat and order with the bar. Do note that, during busy times, part of this bar area is managed by the host stand and will be labeled as such. The extensive beer menu is our favorite. We have our favorite food items, so all our decision making revolves around which beer we will get. They always have a bit of everything style-wise, from all over the world, but with a local-brewery focus. Seasonal emphasis is also taken into consideration when they curate the beer list. It is always rotating and we love it! Beers are served in the recommended glasses from the breweries. It's a great drinking experience from start to finish! Our food orders are eternally set: I get the Nueske Ham sandwich with fries and aioli. My husband gets the Reuben sandwich with fries and aioli. This meal is so perfect we'll probably never get anything different, despite the menu being delicious across the board. The wildest we get is sometimes splitting the two sandwiches. No reason to mess with a good thing! Other notable great things about Hopleaf: (1) Kind, knowledgeable, and professional staff. (2) Reasonable prices for high quality and great variety products. (3) Clean Belgian Bar decor/vibe with lots of space for folks to enjoy their time. (4) They are open late and serve food late. Thank you for being an amazing local spot, Hopleaf! We'll see you soon!

    Fantastic beers and cocktails. I am not a beer drinker but found one I loved. The food is higher…read moreend but wow! So tasty!! Our waitress gave us a lot of attention, made recommendations and really listened to our likes and dislikes.

    Photos
    New bar upstairs
    New bar upstairs
    Hopleaf Bar
    St St. Bernardus, Christmas Ale 2024, 10%

    See all

    St St. Bernardus, Christmas Ale 2024, 10%
    Lincoln Square Taproom

    Lincoln Square Taproom

    3.0
    (21 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Me and my BBFs were looking for a place to have a drink before going to The Davis Theater to see…read moreParis is Burning (totally iconic movie!). We thought that Sojourn would be open, but there were not, so I pulled out my trusty Yelp app to locate something nearby we could walk to and stumbled across this joint. So I was not aware that this is a sister location to the Uptown Taproom. Totally different vibe in terms of decor: Uptown is light and airy and this joint is semi-dark, kinda reminds me of a bar you would see in a rural college town. There is a small bar and several high top tables inside and a cute outside area. There is a set of four leather (I assume) chairs in the back of the bar that we sat at, which were comfortable. My BFFs got cocktails and seemed to be happy with them. While they did not have bubbles in a bottles, they did have Underwood, which was ok for me. For a quick drink on a Monday before a movie at The Davis, I would consider coming back here. The place was clean and the bartender was friendly and nice, with a nice smile. And they have bubbles.

    My go to bar! I live close by , and on Mondays they have. $16 burger,fries and beer special…read more Needless to say, I come on Mondays religiously. It's a great deal! We have a favorite bartender and she's awesome! She knows to surprise me with any non alcoholic beer and I'm fine with that. There are tons of board games for anyone to use, they also have a dart board and a few TVs playing sports. Super casual and chill, loud music playing and just a great neighborhood bar. Love it here!

    Photos
    Lincoln Square Taproom.  4721 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL .Cool.
    Lincoln Square Taproom. 4721 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL .Cool.
    Lincoln Square Taproom.  4721 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL .Cool.
    Lincoln Square Taproom. 4721 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL .Cool.
    Lincoln Square Taproom.  4721 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL .Cool.

    See all

    Lincoln Square Taproom. 4721 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL .Cool.
    Leland Inn

    Leland Inn

    2.7
    (21 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $

    This is for the bar, Leland Tap, which ajoins the store( which is also worth 5 stars)…read more I rarely come here. I used to live in the neighborhood and would buy my liquor here. But each time I do visit, I am repeatedly met with good, regular old hospitality and a good drink. Nicolas, who coincidentally does not often work there is the owners son and is friendly and make a great Gin n Tonic. There is a new gin there too that I got to taste ( I normally order Hendricks) its called SkePtic Gin. I am now, unabashedly a fan of it, and as it turns out, is made by Nicolas himself. Dim the lights, come in for a chill evening and enjoy. Its another bar right off of the brown line at Western and is so convenient, you have no excuse. See you soon!

    I bought a bottle of Tincup Whiskey in this liquor store today, 1.75l for $49.99. When it came time…read moreto open the bottle, the little tin cup on top of the cap was stuck. We couldn't get it off and ultimately tried to do so with pliers and the glass broke. Whiskey spilled everywhere and the entire part of the glass bottle under the tin cup was still stuck up there. I brought it back to the store right away, thinking they would replace it, but the owner wouldn't even let me tell him what happened. He kept talking over me and saying it was my fault I broke it. As far as I'm concerned, he owes me $50 + tax. This is the closest liquor store to me, and I promise you, I will NEVER ENTER THIS STORE AGAIN!

    Photos
    Leland Inn
    Leland Inn
    Front door

    See all

    Front door
    Platform 47

    Platform 47

    4.8
    (40 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    This place is right off the Damen brown line stop. Down the block from Lawrence Ave. It used to be…read morea different restaurant a couple of years ago and it shut down, but a couple bought it and revamped the spot. It was three of us meeting for dinner and some drinks. My friend had white wine, hubby had an Espressotini, and I the watermelon-cucumber marg. We ordered the cauliflower ceviche, the Cauliflower wings, and the Brussels sprouts as appetizer. Then as an entree, my friend had the Jalisco Burger, hubby had the Salmon, and I a Salmon Caesar Salad. I personally loved the salad and the appetizers were great. Everyone else ate ALL their food, so I assume they also enjoyed it. The location was actually having an 80s night and there was a Dj and space for dancing. There were some people there dress for the themed night and it was just a great vibe. Talking with our friend and eating made us lose track of time and then it was time to leave but before we did, we met one of the owners who actually recommended I come by and visit. (Shoutout to Marcos ) He is the most warm and sunny person, and he was so grateful we actually came by. We had a shot and honestly I'd come back because of him. He told us a little bit about him, his family and about the restaurant backstory. I truly recommend you coming here, you will have a great time. Oh, and almost forgot, they have outside sitting, so you know it will be a great time when you just want to have an outside patio vibe with friends and some drinks. P.s. As you can tell, there are only two pictures. I was so, involved in the moment with my friend's stories and then the appetizers came and nothing else mattered. We all lost track of time and just enjoyed the vibe, the beautiful night, and time with friends, drinks, and food. Oh and 80s music.

    I stopped by Monday since they were donating 15% of tabs to The Friendship Center food pantry. I'd…read morebeen meaning to come by since they so generously donated mac and cheese to them for the Thanksgiving meals for the hungry in our community. It's a nice place. Kind of a sports bar but seems a little nicer than your average storeys bar. Service was friendly and helpful. I got the vegetarian ceviche, and it was delicious! It was served with aioli and a healing serving of chips. I've never eaten seafood and been vegetarian for over 30 years, but my boyfriend had a taste and also thought it was good and said they got the right flavor profile. He got the burger and tots and said both were very good. I'll definitely be back!

    Photos
    Smoky lady
    Smoky lady
    Wings
    Wings
    Platform 47

    See all

    Is Was Brewing - breweries - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...