LINCOLN SQUARE — Strange Pelican, Phil Tadros' soon-to-open brewery in Lincoln Square, will now be called Aquanaut after legal action was threatened by an Oregon brewery with a similar name.
Tadros said Monday the decision to change the craft brewery's name came after the Pelican Pub & Brewery in Pacific City, Oregon recently expressed concern over the similarity of the two names.
Rather than "throw money at an angry brewery," Tadros said he opted for the name change.
"We’re disappointed for sure. But before we get out of the gate, do we want a couple of lawsuits? No," he said.
Aquanaut is the name of an Rye India Pale Ale produced by Strange Pelican.
Tadros took over the lease at 5435 N. Wolcott Ave. — site of former brewery 4 Paws — in January.
Eric McNeill, founder and brewmaster at Aquanaut, confirmed that the brewery's name change had been submitted.
Aquanaut's focus will be production and distribution. Those looking to sample the beer under its new label can head to Chicago Beer Fest, held at Union Station on March 22.
Tadros said the brewery is ready to produce beer and is currently waiting on city licensing approval, which said he expects "any day."
He said Monday that he is hoping to open a bar restaurant, Oyster Pail, in East Lakeview by May 1. That site will be at 2928 N. Broadway, the former home of an old porn shop called Adult Fantasy.
