Lawsuit Pits 5Rabbit Brewery Founders Against Each Other

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jan 9, 2013 8:45PM

Crain’s Chicago Business reports the founding partners of 5Rabbit Brewery are feuding.

Andres Araya filed a lawsuit [which you can read here (PDF)] against Isaac Showaki claiming Showaki of engaging in a smear campaign against him in an attempt to gain sole control of the company. Araya. 5 Rabbit’s CEO, claimed Showaki, the company’s COO, “became increasingly obsessed with his perceived lack of power and influence at the company“ and began telling people he had embezzled fund and engaged in an extramarital affair with a former employee. He’s seeking $100,000, as well as punitive damages.

5 Rabbit hit the ground running upon their 2011 debut and made recent news by hiring former Goose Island brewer John J. Hall as their brewmaster, finding a space for their brewery in suburban Bedford Park and inking a deal to have their beer served in Chicago-area Chipotle restaurants.

Neither Araya nor Showaki would comment for the record to Crain’s.