Introduction to On Tour Brewing
WEST TOWN — On Tour Brewing, a brewery known for showcasing live music at its taproom in the West Town industrial corridor south of Grand Avenue, is closing after a final “last call” on Tuesday. On Tour, 1725 W. Hubbard St., opened in 2017. Founder Mark Legenza launched the brick-and-mortar brewery following years of experimenting with homebrewing. The taproom quickly became known for its jam band-themed shows, as well as other types of live music and events like karaoke.
History and Legacy
But after eight years in West Town, Legenza is leaving the beer industry. Later this year, the On Tour building will be taken over by Links Taproom and Brewery, a previous iteration of which operated on Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park for six years before closing in 2020. The brewery is hosting a final concert on Tuesday to say farewell to its longtime patrons, with more details to come.
Founder’s Reflections
Legenza on Friday said the closure is “bittersweet” but he’s ready to move after accomplishing what he set out to do with On Tour — and more so. “I was a homebrewer for six years and have really fond memories of making beer inside my kitchen or outside in my backyard, just wondering if someday I’d get an opportunity to do something like this,” Legenza said. “And I was able to. So, very fortunate.”
On Tour’s Mission and Achievements
Over the years, On Tour served up a wide range of beer styles and flavors, including its “Lightning Will” pilsner and various saisons and IPAs. In some ways, the beer was just one part of the larger On Tour mission, Legenza said. In 2018, he partnered with the West Town Chamber of Commerce to launch the jam band-themed street fest Dancing in the Streets, which took place outside the taproom. Many of the bands that played the festival were regular performers at On Tour, too. “The core of what we do here at On Tour is trying to bring people together and create an environment where you have something for everyone, and the beer is just part of that,” Legenza said. “That’s always been the vision. And I think largely we were able to execute that here, and I couldn’t be happier with how it came out.”
Final Day of Service
Details are still coming together for On Tour’s final day of service on Tuesday, but it will definitely include live music, he said. “We want to do a send-off the best way we know how, and that’s live music, beer and people getting together, having a good time making, making one last memory,” Legenza said.
After a six-year run in Wicker Park from 2014 to 2020, Links is reopening as a taproom and brewery in West Town this summer. Credit: Provided/Links Taproom and Brewery
The Future of the Location
The On Tour taproom will be temporarily vacant come next week, but Links is hoping to open there by late summer, a representative said. Links owner Michael Quinlan plans to build out a kitchen and bring back its award-winning tap program, with 36 handles of American craft beers. Another six will be for its own brews, Quinlan previously told Block Club. Malört, cocktails, wines and spirit-free offerings will also be served. Signature menu items, which Quinlan developed with former Branch 27 chef and owner Cary Michael years ago, are returning. They include Buried Alive fries, the Links Burger and cheese curds. Links will also keep the jam-band theme going, with plans to host Phish webcasts and other events like charity fundraisers.
Conclusion
On Tour Brewing’s closure marks the end of an era in West Town, but the legacy of the brewery will live on through the memories of its patrons. The upcoming takeover by Links Taproom and Brewery promises to bring new excitement to the location, with its award-winning tap program and signature menu items. As the West Town community bids farewell to On Tour, it also looks forward to the new chapter that Links will bring.
FAQs
- Q: When is On Tour Brewing closing?
- A: On Tour Brewing is closing after a final “last call” on Tuesday.
- Q: What will happen to the On Tour building after it closes?
- A: The On Tour building will be taken over by Links Taproom and Brewery later this year.
- Q: What can patrons expect from Links Taproom and Brewery?
- A: Links will offer an award-winning tap program with 36 handles of American craft beers, its own brews, Malört, cocktails, wines, and spirit-free offerings, as well as signature menu items like Buried Alive fries and the Links Burger.
- Q: Will Links continue the jam-band theme?
- A: Yes, Links plans to host Phish webcasts and other events like charity fundraisers, keeping the jam-band theme alive.
