from the chicago brewseum to the beer culture center
After five years of hard work and incredible growth as the Chicago Brewseum, we knew we had evolved. Our reach had broadened beyond Chicago and our community had grown to be a global one. We knew that engaging in a formal strategic plan was necessary to inform our future and we were ready for the next steps. With the help of a 2021 Strategic Planning Grant from the Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, the organization began to examine its work, impact, growth, and potential. Via many interviews and conversations with team members, partners, collaborators, and supporters, our consultant developed a three year plan that focused on three takeaways from the interviews:
A brick and mortar museum is highly desired by all.
The Beer Culture Summit had come to define who we are.
The Chicago Brewseum name was confusing. Our content and our reach goes well beyond the city, region, and nation, so why just focus the name on Chicago? And what exactly is a Brewseum and why is it so hard to pronounce?
In early 2022, we got to work and spent time researching, discussing, and developing a new brand. We talked to more people and partners in a variety of industries. We had internal discussions about how we’d evolved as a group and as an organization. And, through a thorough process and a lot of work, we created a new name that better reflects our mission, vision, and efforts to become the national organization to share stories of how beer has shaped humanity, past and present.
In late 2023, we officially became the Beer Culture Center.
You can dig a bit more into this story by reading Kate Bernot’s piece on Good Beer Hunting. Or listen to Bill Kurtis below.
Special thanks to Bill Kurtis for narrating our short film.