The history behind the 8-hour workday has never been on my radar. Even though I’m in a union for work and my husband is a hard working UAW member and labor activist, I’m not well versed in labor-related issues of the past. I was introduced to labor history and the events of the Haymarket Riot thanks to comedian Kyle Kinane’s appearance on the (amazing) Comedy Central series Drunk History.
According to Kinane’s appearance and a Wikipedia article I read on the matter, a peaceful rally in Chicago’s Haymarket Square turned deadly on May 4, 1886 when a bomb was thrown into the crowd. Seven police officers and four civilians were killed. In the aftermath, eight men were arrested and tried. Four were publicly hanged for their assumed participation in the act. Their dedication to workers’ rights and their public deaths were directly responsible for labor changes the country saw and marked the end of much social unrest. Chicago labor historian William Adelman is quoted as saying, “No single event has influenced the history of labor in Illinois, the United States, and even the world, more than the Chicago Haymarket Affair.”
Overall, I thought this historical event and its impact fascinating. When I found out that a namesake brewery existed in Chicago, and I had a trip to the Windy City in my future, I made a point to stop in.
Haymarket Pub & Brewery is located across the street from the Haymarket Memorial, a wild and captivating metal sculpture that is very nearly modern art. The brewery, located on a busy street corner in the West Loop neighborhood is spacious and lovely inside, with an impressive wall of taps behind a long bar. Beers with historically significant names — Speakerswagon® Pils, Demonstrator Dopplebock, and Oscar’s Pardon® Belgian-Style Pale — made it clear that the brewery knows all about — and is intensely proud of — its labor roots. With the help of a knowledgeable and friendly bartender, Janna, I sampled nearly half the on tap offerings, as well as some cans.
Don’t Stop the Presses was a Dry-Hopped Lager that came in at 5.3% ABV. It hit every spot available on a steamy July afternoon. Crisp and easy to drink, I only wished I could bring some back with me to Detroit. A surprise to see on any menu, the Dortmunder Lager, Chicago Tavern Beer, also was 5.3%, and was just as delicious and refreshing as its dry-hopped counterpart. My friend, who accompanied me to the brewery and who has lived in Chicago on and off since 2003, particularly loved the Strawberry Basil Hard Seltzer. At only 5%, and with its light pink, almost rosé color, it was an absolute treat to drink.
The most interesting beer on the menu, in my opinion, was one named for the wife of one of the men tried for his involvement in the riots: Lucy Parsons. After her husband, Albert, was hanged, Lucy became a political and labor activist. She participated in the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World. She was often arrested for giving speeches and distributing anarchist literature. I mean, if ever there was a patron saint of amazing, badass women, surely she’d be high up on the list.
Haymarket Brewing honored her with Lucy’s Giant Tripel, a collaboration brew with another Chicago brewery, Crushed by Giants Brewing Company. The 9% Belgian Tripel was fierce and complex — much like its namesake — with pink peppercorn, and, according to Janna, “SO MUCH hand grated lemon.” Despite its high alcohol content, I found it light and sweet, and I definitely did not want to get on its bad side.
On an early Friday afternoon, the brew house was relatively quiet. Janna spent a lot of her time discussing the brewery’s history with us. Haymarket opened in 2010 to a neighborhood that has since changed dramatically. At the time, many restaurants were closing and the brewery felt a bit isolated. Business has picked back up in the years since and West Loop is now a busy and vibrant neighborhood that still feels a little blue collar, which I’m sure Albert and Lucy would appreciate.
I absolutely loved my experience at Haymarket Pub & Brewery in Chicago. Whenever I get out to the Bridgman location, Haymarket Brewery and Taproom, I know I’ll feel right at home.
Also, fight the power.
0 Comments