Moody Tongue Announces Upcoming Tasting Room In Pilsen Brewery

By Stephen Gossett in Food on Jul 27, 2016 5:46PM

Jared Rouben of Moody Tongue

Acclaimed Pilsen-based brewery Moody Tongue will be opening a much-anticipated tasting room inside its brewing space, the company announced on Wednesday. The room is expected to open in late August, according to reports.

The 12-tap bar will feature Moody’s perennial brews—Applewood Gold, Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison, Sliced Nectarine IPA, and Caramelized Chocolate Churro Baltic Porter—plus extra-limited special releases, including single-barrel offerings. (Steeped Emperor’s Lemon Saison reached the semifinals in May in our Chicago Best Beer Bracket.)

One of the most intriguing aspects of the project is its minimal tasting menu. The tasting spot will feature just two dishes, one savory and one sweet. When it opens, that means oysters for savory and chocolate cake for sweet.

“Oysters and cake are indulgent yet in completely different ways—and enjoyable without overwhelming the palate,” brewmaster Jared Rouben said in a release. “These two opposite ends of the flavor and taste spectrum can naturally be brought to together by beer in a way that is fun for your tongue. If I had my way, I’d eat oysters and cake with beer every day.”

Also, befitting Moody Tongue’s location in the old Glass Factory building, the interior design looks to be an industrial-contemporary hybrid. It will feature a marble-top bar anchoring the room, inset leather-booth seating and vintage bookcases that will contain classic brewing books from Siebel Institute.

“We’re creating something elegant yet approachable,” Rouben added.

Moody Tongue launched in 2014 and earned high marks for its focus on seasonal, fresh spices and ingredients. How the beers pair with food has long been a point of emphasis for Rouben.