SCENE AROUND SUBURBIA | 93 Octane Brewery Opens New Two-Story Flagship Brewery in Downtown Elmhurst

93 Octane Brewery Adds Second Location in Elmhurst

The Beloved St. Charles-Based Nano-Brewery Looks to the Future, with Small-Batch Releases, a Regionally-Sourced Food Program, and Expansion of Their Signature Commitment to Craft Hospitality - Welcome 93 Octane Brewery to Elmhurst

ELMHURST– 93 Octane Brewery, a standout in Chicago’s suburban brewing scene, is proud to announce the debut of its new flagship 6,600-square-foot two-story brewpub in the heart of downtown Elmhurst on Thursday, August 21. Nestled in the heart of the city’s historic downtown at 171 N Addison Street, this exciting new chapter brings together the brand’s whimsical small-batch beer varietals, handcrafted brewpub fare, and a community-driven spirit, marking a significant milestone for the brewery’s continued growth.

93 Octane Brewery's Powerhouse Team is Led by Head Brewer Alex Makowski

THE 93 OCTANE STORY 

Born from a bold idea inside a gas station, 93 Octane kicked off in St. Charles with its first nano-brewery concept in 2019. What began as a hyperlocal experiment quickly gained momentum, prompting the addition of a dedicated production facility behind their corporate headquarters to meet demand. In addition to their lineup of craft beers, 93 Octane developed a regionally sourced food program that’s become central to their unique brewery experience, serving up handcrafted brewpub classics.

Along the way, 93 Octane built a powerhouse team, led by head brewer Alex Makowski—a brewing industry veteran who’s spent five years with the company and became one of the youngest Certified Cicerones at just 21—alongside operational talent from some of Illinois’ top craft breweries.

“It could be easy to write off 93 Octane as just ‘gas station beer,’ but we’ve assembled an all-star team with years of experience in both the craft beverage and hospitality industries, and they’ve poured that passion into building this brand from the ground up into something great. This expansion is proof that we’re creating something special that can compete with the best in local brewing.” - Mario Spina, CEO, Parent Petroleum

With the capacity to welcome over 400 guests and an open-air courtyard ideal for families, the brewpub will offer full-service brunch, lunch, and dinner alongside 20 draft lines to pour its signature brews.

OCTANE 93 BREWERY HEADED TO DOWNTOWN ELMHURST

The new Elmhurst brewery features a 15-barrel brewhouse, marking a sizable step up in production and on-premise capacity. Thoughtfully designed by Haven Design Group, the two-story space blends indoor and outdoor seating to create an energetic and welcoming atmosphere, with authentic Chicago brick throughout, custom-designed wallpaper, and high-end leather bar seating. With the capacity to welcome over 400 guests and an open-air courtyard ideal for families, the brewpub will offer full-service brunch, lunch, and dinner alongside 20 draft lines to pour its signature brews. Guests can enjoy standout pours like the Wingman APA, a light-bodied pale ale bursting with pineapple and stone fruit; the Mystery Machine Sour with bright tropical punch notes; and the fan-favorite Clown Car Cream Ale with nostalgic tastes of vanilla and cake batter. Rounding out the beverage menu are house-made craft sodas, draft Nitro Espresso Martinis, and 93 Octane Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. On the food side, the menu features crave-worthy bites like juicy beer cheese and bourbon barbecue burgers made with Michigan-based Vander Farmer’s Wagyu, fresh salads, and beer-infused starters, including beer-battered fried pickles and onion rings. Every Friday, guests can enjoy crispy Pilsner-battered walleye from Villa Park’s Supreme Lobster & Seafood, served with golden French fries and crisp coleslaw.

93 Octane Brewery teamed up with Cal’s Angels to release a special Hoppy Golden Ale, the “Golden Pour Purpose,” benefiting the fight against pediatric cancer. Launching Friday, September 5, 50% of draft sales from both the Elmhurst and St. Charles taprooms will be donated to the foundation.

In keeping with 93 Octane’s commitment to giving back, the brewery is teaming up with Illinois-based Cal’s Angels—a cause close to home for Spina, who serves on the organization’s board—to release a special Hoppy Golden Ale, the “Golden Pour Purpose,” benefiting the fight against pediatric cancer. Launching Friday, September 5, 50% of draft sales from both the Elmhurst and St. Charles taprooms will be donated to the foundation. On launch day only, gift card purchases will be matched by the brewery in donations up to $50 per card. The fundraising will continue through the end of September, with all proceeds from Golden Pour Purpose sales, along with sales of Cal’s Angels koozies and t-shirts and contributions to donation boxes at each location, going directly to support Cal’s Angels.

93 Octane’s Elmhurst brewery will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, follow along on social media at @93octanebrewery or visit www.93octanebrewery.com.

ABOUT 93 OCTANE BREWERY

Founded in St. Charles, IL, 93 Octane Brewery has quickly become a leader in Chicago’s suburban craft-beer scene. Fueled by a hospitality-first philosophy and a passion for hyper-local ingredients, the team has grown its original nano-brewery operation through creating whimsical, small-batch brews served alongside a regionally-sourced food program. With its new two-story flagship in downtown Elmhurst, 93 Octane continues to expand its commitment to community-driven craft culture. Learn more at www.93octanebrewery.com and follow @93octanebrewery.