Explore the captivating stories, reviews, and features that have put our brewery on the map. See us through the eyes of the experts, the critics, and the enthusiasts. Discover the flavors, the vibes, and the buzz that make Funkytown Brewery an experience worth savoring!
Funkytown Brewery in the Media
Funkytown Brewery Bringing Black-Owned Taproom To Lake Street
After operating for five years at Logan Square’s Pilot Project Brewing, the award-winning brewery will open the city’s only freestanding Black-owned taproom with help from a city grant.
Funkytown Brewery lands Chicago grant for facility planned near United Center
A Chicago brewery has landed a $3.7 million grant from the city, taking a big step closer to its vision of opening a facility near the United Center arena.
Funkytown Brewery recently was awarded the funds as part of the city planning department’s Community Development Grant program, according to the Black-owned brewery and an announcement by Mayor Brandon Johnson.
By Irika Sargent, Zak Spector. Updated on: February 16, 2026 / 10:43 AM CST / CBS Chicago
Funkytown Brewery is one of the few Black-owned craft breweries in the nation.
It all started with three childhood friends who grew up to love beer. Now, Funkytown is planning a new brewery and tap room thanks to a multimillion-dollar grant from the city.
"This just takes our home brew to the next level," said Bloomfield.
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“I think one of the things coming from the Black community, really any underserved beer community, is that you don’t even know where to find the answers that can help you succeed because you’re so disconnected,” Bloomfield explains. “You’ve been implicitly left out, and we want to change that.”
Black-Owned Chicago Brewery Reigns Supreme In Samuel Adams Craft Brewers Competition
Chicago’s Funkytown Brewery, helmed by three lifelong friends from Oak Park, has emerged as the winner of the 12th annual Samuel Adams Brewing and Business Experienceship craft beer competition.
In July, Chicago’s Funkytown Brewery was announced as the big winner of its 12th Brewing & Business Experienceship, and last week Boston Beer released this video to its YouTube page, interviewing the three dynamic cofounders of this up-and-coming craft brewery.
Chicago brewery named winner of Samual Adams’ craft beer competition
Funkytown Brewery, founded by childhood friends Rich Bloomfield, Zack Day and Greg Williams, will now join a growing list of craft brewers that get the chance to take advantage of these benefits and receive support from the Boston Beer Co.'s Samuel Adams brand and its founder Jim Koch.
Funkytown Brewery Looks to Bring Black Cultural Influences into Craft Beer Market
In Logan Square, a trio of brewers is also adding funk and culture into the mix. Over the last few years, Funkytown Brewery has grown from a garage setup into a world beer competition winner.
Can Craft Beer Companies Rescue Malt Liquor’s Reputation?
Malt liquor is a loaded subject in American brewing. Long maligned as a quick and inexpensive means of getting drunk that was marketed heavily to Black and Hispanic men, it occupies an “intersection with race, class and poverty,” said Rich Bloomfield, a founder and the chief executive of the Black-owned Funkytown Brewery in Chicago.
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Here’s the incredible thing: All three have day jobs and yet still manage to pump out Funkytown’s fantastic creations.
The beer speaks for itself, but the passion and determination of Williams, Day, and Bloomfield to follow their dreams speaks volumes.
