Forbidden Root, a new Chicago-based beverage company is pleased to announce that the East Village Association has voted in support of Forbidden Root opening a botanical craft brewery and taproom in the long vacant former Hub Theater at 1746 West Chicago Avenue!

Forbidden Root will be launching city-wide the first week of June with specific details to come. In the meantime, interested craft beer drinkers will have the chance to get a sneak peak of the botanical brews in select venues throughout Chicago Craft Beer Week. Starting with Beer Under Glass, Forbidden Root will be celebrating Chicago Craft Beer Week in style, giving excited beer enthusiasts an taste of the brews before the official Chicago launch in June.  Its sneak peak availability will posted on its website andFacebook as well.

Catch Forbidden Root at these CCBW events…

Beer Under Glass: Thursday, May 15, 6:30 p.m.

Held at the Garfield Park Conservatory, guests can enjoy the space at night while sipping inventive brews from some of Chicagoland’s hottest craft breweries, including Forbidden Root! Popular local restaurants will serve up tasty small plates. Beer Under Glass is the opening event for Chicago Craft Beer Week – don’t miss it!

Creative Minds on Tap: Monday, May 19, 7 p.m.

Held at Jerry’s in Wicker Park, this panel discussion will take an in-depth look at the role of branding, design and marketing in craft beer. Panelists include Tony Magee from Lagunitas, Randy Mosher from 5 Rabbit/Forbidden Root, Michael Kiser from Good Beer Hunting, Phineas X. Jones from Half Acre, Paul Schneider from Solemn Oath and Dan & Katie Perkins from Kaper Design with moderator Kim Leshinski from Hail to the Ale.

BOOMtown 2: Friday, May 23

Jerry’s in Wicker Park will be tapping delicious offerings from Chicago area breweries that opened within the last year: Penrose, Forbidden Root, Une Annee, Transient, Buckledown, Temperance and Lagunitas.

West Loop Craft Beer Fest: Saturday, May 24, 1 p.m.

The city’s largest craft beer outdoor block party will commence on May 24^th featuring craft beer, hours of entertainment and food for purchase. The Chicago Craft Beer Week celebration of neighborhoods ends in the heart of the West Loop & this event gives the chance for all neighborhoods to come down and celebrate the craft beer experience and taste some Forbidden Root brews!

About Forbidden Root:

Forbidden Root is the country’s first botanical brewery, producing a delicious and highly differentiated line of craft beer featuring all natural flavors.  Sourcing local ingredients when possible, Forbidden Root’s mission is to provide a unique fermented beverage experience by designing brews around ingredients that are not usually found in beer. For more information, visit Forbidden Root’s website or follow the brewery on Facebook, Twitter at @ForbiddenRoot and Untappd.

In addition to the support of the West Town Chamber and others, the East Village Association membership has now formally agreed to support the lifting of the tavern license moratorium for Forbidden Root. Since the Chicago City Council has already approved rezoning, all that remains is for the council to approve the two block moratorium lift at its upcoming meeting.

“The West Town Chamber, Alderman Moreno and now EVA have been very supportive and terrific to work with,” says Robert Finkel, Forbidden Root owner and rootmaster.  “We are really excited to pave the way for a revitalization of this stretch of Chicago Avenue. We hope to be an anchor for the community and bring renewed commerce and really good craft beer to this area.”

If all goes to plan, Forbidden Root will start construction at the beginning of July with the goal of opening its brewpub at the beginning of 2015. At this 7,000 square location will be a brewing facility, an education space, a 150-seat taproom, and a planned small packaged goods area for growler fills and other merchandise. TheForbidden Root Brew Pub will offer tasty bites, using local and sustainable food wherever possible. The brew pub will be a showcase for its line of botanical beers, including innovative and fun experiments, allowing guests to enjoy the difference a true brewed botanical beer can make. The company is a Benefit Corporation, donating 100% of the profits from all non-consumable goods and merchandise to a local charity, currently Green City Market.