DOWNTOWN — The cheap beer Natural Light hasn't inspired much, but it did form the liquid foundation of one man's Chicago beer tour business.
In 2010, Bruce White was laid off from his job as a corporate and securities lawyer. Seeking a different job where he didn't have to spend countless hours reading documents, White fondly recalled his days as a University of Michigan undergrad and law student sipping on the beer affectionately known as Natty Light. It led to the creation of White's Chicago Beer Experience, Inc., which celebrated its five-year anniversary on April 3.
The company has tours in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Bucktown and Wicker Park, and it just added a tour in Downtown/South Loop that focuses on bars with ties to the city's mobster past.
Sr. Editor Justin Breen also rarely drinks Natural Light anymore.
"One of the reasons I got into beer was I drank it a lot in college, probably too much, but I drank Natty Light, even in law school," said White, 34, of Lincoln Park. "Slowly over time I've gotten into craft beer, and beer is just a really fascinating beverage. It's just one of those things I wanted to know more and more about."
White said his dad, a small business owner, and mom, a teacher, were "shockingly" behind his decision to ditch the law and enter the beer guiding business.
He said his tours include several historical facts about each bar, plus spots in the city the participants walk through.
"We're not just a drunken bar crawl, although those can be fun as well," White said. "We give you a lot of information."
The three-hour Downtown/South Loop tour, which began this month, explores Chicago's vice history, White said. For example, one of the tour's four bars, Exchequer Restaurant & Pub, was frequented by Al Capone when it was called the 226 Club.
White said the beer tour business is not about making a ton of money but noted he doesn't miss serving as an attorney.
"Am I happier? Absolutely," he said. "Will it pay off, that's still a big gamble."
Downtown/South Loop tickets are $59.90 per person and include craft beer tastings equaling approximately four beers; non-beer tasting tickets are available for $33.90 per person. Tickets are available online or by calling 312-818-2172.
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