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Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens has announced that Hofbräuhaus Chicago, a 20,000-square-foot restaurant and brewery, will bring the classic tastes of Munich to the Chicago area in The Park at Rosemont.
Developers and owners Josef Matuschka and Mike Matuschka will build and operate the venue, establishing only the fourth official Hofbräuhaus in the United States. When it opens, the family friendly brewery and restaurant will feature traditional Bavarian specialties, live music, a brewery for the production of the Hofbräuhaus’ world renowned beer (brewed continuously since 1589) and the legendary Gemütlichkeit (a friendly, relaxed, convivial environment) that has made it a must-visit destination for travelers throughout the world. Hofbräuhaus Chicago will be located at The Park at Rosemont, just west of River Road between Bryn Mawr and Balmoral next to Muvico in Rosemont.
“The Hofbräuhaus will be a great addition to the family oriented attractions and programming we are offering at The Park in Rosemont,” said Mayor Stephens. “I am grateful to the Matuschkas for bringing this classic venue to Rosemont and am excited for people in our area as well as travelers to get a true sense of the Hofbräuhaus’ great food, delicious beer and legendary hospitality in Rosemont.”
The Matuschkas, father Josef and son Mike, bring more than 15 years of restaurant and nightclub experience as part of Windy City Group. The venues they currently operate include two Uberstein locations in Chicago, Leader Bar, MaxBar and Nikki, formerly Crobar.
About Hofbräuhaus
In 1589, Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria, dissatisfied with the beer that was being brewed locally, retained brew master Heimeran Pongratz to create a rich brown ale that both suited his palate and followed the rigorous “Bavarian Beer Purity Law” of 1516 that stated that only natural ingredients could be used in the brewing process. Beer (like bread) was considered a basic foodstuff at the time, as well as a beauty treatment for the ladies of the court, who typically consumed seven liters daily. Beer from the Hofbräuhaus (which means official brewery for the Duke’s court), quickly grew in popularity and in 1602 a wheat beer was developed at the request of Wilhelm’s son and successor Duke Maximilian I. By 1607, the need for 38,000 gallons each year necessitated a move to larger brewing quarters, so Munich’s Hofbräuhaus was erected in its current location. In 1828, responding to complaints from Munich's ordinary citizens that they were not permitted to enjoy the Hofbräuhaus beer from the royal brewery like the public employees, Ludwig I issued a decree granting a license for the beer and cuisine to be served publicly in the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl, giving commoners the opportunity to lift steins at the same table as the gentry. Thus, the Hofbräuhaus Inn that attracts millions each year was opened.
Today, Hofbräuhaus is an iconic symbol of Bavaria with indelible ties to the Munich’s history. During the Thirty Years War when the Swedes occupied Munich, they struck a deal with city leaders: in exchange for not pillaging and plundering the city, they would leave peacefully if given 362 buckets of Hofbräuhaus beer. In 1780, Mozart credited the Hofbrauhaus with providing him the strength to write his opera “Idomeneo.” On October 12, 1810, the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen involved all the citizens of Munich; the celebration grew into the Oktoberfest, an annual festival now so closely associated in the minds of many with the Hofbräuhaus. In January 1823, Hofbräuhaus beer was used to extinguish a fire at the Munich Opera House when firefighters discovered their water supply frozen. In 1935, composer Wiga Gabriel and lyricist Klaus Siegfried Richter wrote the famous Hofbräuhaus song - "In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus - oans, zwoa, g'suffa!" (“In Munich there's a Hofbräuhaus - one, two, and down the hatch!”).
The official opening date, hours and menu will be announced at a future date. Those seeking employment at Hofbräuhaus can visit windycitygroup.net.
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