Middle Brow, a semifinalist for the 2024 James Beard Awards Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, is opening a brick-and-mortar location in Swayer, MI, to expand its production capabilities while creating a new community gathering place for the locals. The new establishment will occupy a one-acre plot off Red Arrow Highway, about 50 miles east of downtown Chicago, according to an Eater article.
Middle Brow started as a brewery in 2011 in Chicago’s Logan Square and opened its brewpub, Bungalow by Middle Brow soon after. The brewpub served pastries, pies, and Neapolitan pizzas using ingredients freshly sourced from Michigan and Indiana farms. Last year, Middle Brow expanded operations into wine production and became Chicago’s first natural winery.
Co-owner Pete Ternes told the Eater that the upcoming Sawyer location would have some familiar Logan Square elements, potentially a small menu offering fresh bread for the weekend, doughnuts and ice cream, plus Detroit-style squares as a limited special. Guests can enjoy bottles and cans of wines and beers as well as a robust to-go menu.
The exact address of the new site has not been disclosed. According to Eater, the owners are currently working through the permitting stage and are aiming for a summer opening.
