Week-Long Repeal of Prohibition Party with Batch 19 Brews and Templeton Rye Libations

Warm up with whiskey and discover a new hidden gem. If you haven’t experienced Batch 19, this is the time to do it! This hidden treasue isn’t availble everywhere yet but it has a story almost as good as the beer.

When: Monday, December 5 though Friday, December 9
Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to Midnight; Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Where: Franklin Tap
325 South Franklin
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 212-3262
FranklinTap.com

The Repeal of Prohibition in the United States was accomplished with the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment to the U.S. constitution on December 5, 1933. Franklin Tap will celebrate the annual Repeal of Prohibition with a week-long party, taking place in the Loop from Monday, December 5 (Repeal Day) to Friday, December 9.

Step back in time and sip $4 pints of Batch 19, a pre-prohibition style lager. Batch 19 is inspired by the last batches of beer brewed before 1919 (the year that beer was banned) and is based on an old beer recipe that was discovered in the basement archives of the Coors brewery, dating back before Prohibition.

In addition, mixologist Lisa Selman, has created a menu of Templeton Rye whiskey cocktails ($5). When Prohibition outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages, many enterprising residents of a small town in Iowa chose to become outlaws by producing a high caliber and much sought-after whiskey known as “Templeton Rye” (a Capone favorite). The libations, listed below, include Midwest Rye Cider, Whiskey Smash and a classic Manhattan. As an added bonus, the brand ambassador of Templeton Rye Whiskey, Michael Killmer, will be meeting and greeting with guest from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7.

Templeton Rye Prohibition Era Cocktails $5

Midwest Rye Cider
Templeton rye, apple cider, squeeze of lemon juice, maple syrup

Whiskey Smash
Templeton rye, squeeze of lemon juice, simple syrup, fresh mint

Manhattan
Templeton rye, sweet vermouth, angostura, bitters, cherry

Batch 19
Inspired by an authentic pre-Prohibition recipe, this bold, hoppy and balanced lager derives its bold taste by using a rare combination of hops including Hersbrucker and Strisslespalt. Hersbrucker hops provide herbal notes and Strisslespalt hops deliver notes of black currant. We are aware of no brewer in America who uses this combination today. Deep-gold in color, naturally filtered and unpasteurized, Batch 19 has 26 IBUs and an assertive 5.5% ABV.

Templeton Rye
When Prohibition outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in 1920, many enterprising residents of a small town in Iowa chose to become outlaws – producing a high caliber and much sought-after whiskey known as Templeton Rye. Based on its extremely smooth finish, the American rye whiskey earned the nickname of “The Good Stuff” and quickly brought a certain degree of fame to the doorsteps of Templeton (population 350). As the premium brand of the era, Templeton Rye fetched an impressive $5.50 per gallon – or approximately $70 by today’s standards. Over the course of its storied history, Templeton Rye became Al Capone’s whiskey of choice, quickly finding its way to the center of his bootlegging empire. Hundreds of kegs per month were supplied to Capone’s gang who in turn filled the demand of speakeasies throughout Chicago, New York and as far west as San Francisco. Capone was eventually convicted on charges of tax evasion and sent to prison. Later legends suggest that a few bottles even found their way inside the walls of Alcatraz to the cell of prisoner AZ-85. Although most American whiskeys ceased production after prohibition ended, Templeton Rye continued to be produced illegally in small quantities for loyal patrons. More than eighty-five years later, the infamous small batch rye whiskey finally returned – made available legally for the first time ever in 2006.

Franklin Tap is an urban neighborhood tavern located in Chicago’s vibrant loop, just seconds away from Willis Tower, Union Station and The Board of Trade. The diverse menu offers premium sandwiches, homemade soups and comfort food favorites along with an extensive selection of craft beer, including 12 brews on draft.