In 1850, German immigrant Conrad Seipp arrived in Chicago, first driving a beer wagon, then managing a small hotel before buying a brewery on the south side. When the Chicago Fire devastated the city in late 1871, Seipp’s was one of the few breweries to survive and in a few short years, the Conrad Seipp Brewing Company would not only become the largest brewery in the city but would be a dominant player in the American brewing industry. Like many others, the brewery was unable to survive the aftermath of Prohibition and officially closed its doors in 1933.  

Eighty-seven years after the brewery’s closure, Seipp's direct descendant, Laurin Mack, is bringing back the Conrad Seipp Brewing Company. And re-crafting Seipp’s Extra Pale is one of Chicago’s best lager making breweries: Metropolitan Brewing.

Gather with us for a conversation about the Seipp story, past and present. David Desimone, Executive Director of Black Point Estate & Gardens (Seipp’s Lake Geneva Home) discusses the bewery’s history while Laurin Mack, Seipp’s great great great granddaughter, shares insight about why she’s bringing her family’s beer back. Tracy Hurst of Metropolitan Brewing talks about Metropolitan’s role in reviving this historic brand and making it relevant in the modern landscape.

Get in on the banter over at our virtual taproom on both Zoom and Facebook Live.