Connecting Wrigley Field, a National Historic Landmark, and Craft Beer Lovers
Wrigley Field in Chicago, home of the Chicago Cubs, was built in 1914. It is the second oldest Major League ballpark next to Fenway Park in Boston. Built for the Chicago Whales of the Federal League, which folded in 1915, it came into possession of the Chicago Cubs in 1916.
It was known as Cubs Park until 1927, when it was renamed Wrigley Field after William Wrigley, Jr, of chewing gum fame and fortune.
Tichnor Bros postcard of Wrigley Field, 1930s.
Known as the “Friendly Confines,” Wrigley Field is famous for its ivy-covered walls, manual scoreboard, and lively atmosphere.
Chicago is a major tourist attraction drawing travelers from across the U.S. and the world.
You probably know it for its museums, shopping, architecture, and beautiful Lake Michigan setting. But did you know Wrigley Field is found in the top three sites visitors to Chicago come to see?
The area around the Stadium known as Wrigleyville is bursting with sports bars, souvenir stalls, and diehard Cub fans. A walk up and down Clark Street will take you to many of the area’s popular bars and great restaurants to enhance the experience, even for those who are not baseball fans.
Murphy’s Bleachers has been a fixture in Wrigleyville for nearly 80 years.
Expand your exploration a little further, and you will find a number of the 200-plus craft breweries building on the City’s remarkable beer history.
Beer as an institution in Chicago is no surprise. Chicago’s mayor in 1839 owned and operated a brewery. In 1868, The Siebel Institute of Technology was started with an exclusive focus on beer brewing as a science. It still operates today.
Chicago then became part of the massive craft brewing industry growth in the U.S., starting with Goose Island opening its doors in 1988.
Since then, Chicago has grown into one of the top Cities in the overall number of breweries and in recognition of some of the top awarded breweries. A recent Forbes Magazine article notes Chicago as the top beer destination in the U.S.
As a die-hard Cubs fan and season ticket holder with a passion for craft beer, I have been racking my brain on how to help visitors to the area experience the wonder of Wrigley Field and the great beer being made in Chicago. And now I have figured it out!
Chicagoland Brews Cruise can help you connect your visit to Wrigley Field and the Wrigleyville area with the Chicago craft beer craze.
Our Wrigleyville Brewery Excursion runs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons with stops at three breweries where the local neighborhood residents go to drink great beer. This is such a convenient way to experience, learn and taste some of the renowned craft beers while taking in a Cub game or the dynamic Wrigleyville scene.
We drive while you enjoy the beer!
A tour group is picked up at the Hotel Zachary, across from Wrigley Field.
Our Brews Cruise van picks you up in front of Hotel Zachary, right across the street from Wrigley Field. Our all-inclusive tour includes stops at Ravinia, Old Irving, and Burning Bush Breweries for generous samples of their beers and to learn more about these breweries and the products they produce.
Our Brews Cruise tour guide will provide lots of information and some fun beer trivia as part of the experience. We then drop you back off at Wrigley Field for the evening to catch a night game and enjoy the many bars and restaurants around the Stadium.
Cheers, everyone. And…Go Cubs!
Kirk Kilker is the owner of Chicagoland Brews Cruise. While creating this post, he enjoyed lunch at Ravinia Brewery with their Chicken Tinga tacos nicely paired with English Style Table Beer.
Want to learn more about this brewery excursion and the many others Chicagoland Brews Cruise offers? Check out the full lineup at www.brewscruise.com/chicagoland/.