PILSEN — Former Goose Island brew master Jared Rouben is hosting brew classes for those who just can’t wait for the opening of Moody Tongue, his food-focused brewery.
Rouben hopes to have Moody Tongue, 2136 S. Peoria St., open by late spring. Until then, the 31-year-old — who has a background in the culinary arts — will host a beer-making series for those who want to learn the art of infusing beer with elements of food.
The four-part series — Brewing Like a Cook — will be held at Ampersand, Element Collective’s pop-up bar and test kitchen, and will focus on four different food infusions: chocolate, coffee, peppers and tea.
Rouben said Saturday’s chocolate class, the first in the series, was completely sold out.
"It was great, it was so much fun. We explored how to utilize cacao bean, cocoa nib, milk chocolate, dark chocolate. What’s fun is you think about being a cook and a brewer, and how you want to incorporate the two together," Rouben said.
Rouben said construction was almost finished on the brewery and he expected to be open by sometime in May. While there won't be a taproom right away, Rouben said there would be a bar where customers could taste beer under the brewery's 20-foot ceilings.
“Everyone's been so kind in the neighborhood. The art and culinary communities have been so kind to us. We can’t wait to share beer with everyone," he said.
Rouben’s remaining brew classes at Ampersand, 419 W. Superior St., are from 2-3 p.m. March 22, April 12 and April 19. Classes are $20 and tickets can be bought at Ampersand’s website.
