The last two decades have witnessed an explosion of beer styles available to the American public, primarily offered by small microbreweries and brewpubs.  Additionally, the sophisticated beer drinker is constantly searching for new, innovative products.   These sought after beers, predominantly ales, hearken back to the styles of “olden days” when Chicago supported over 200 breweries.

In order to meet these demands, breweries have had to up their production levels by increasing their brewing frequency and in some cases have had to increase their brewing capacities.  For those breweries that cannot increase production or buy additional equipment, they search out breweries that have the capability and enter into “brewing contracts”.  These contracts have helped the rapid expansion of the domestic craft brewing industry that grew to 9.1 million barrels in 2009 from 5.9 million barrels in 2000, according to the Brewers Association in Boulder, Colorado. In 2011, craft brewing was up 13 percent by volume compared to 12 percent in 2010.

The artwork and logos in this document represent the first three clients Big Chicago Brewing Company.

BIG CHICAGO BREWING COMPANY's business model and mission is to treat each contract or client with equal importance as if it were its own brand.  The typical brewery that is also contract brewing for other clients has it's own brand that it is producing and selling.  That brewery's brand and product take precident over it's contract and can greatly affect the contract's brewing schedule and monthly product availability. 

Big Chicago Brewing Company will meet the following objectives:

• brew beer with a sense of pride and excellence
• maintain strict confidentiality when handling client’s proprietary information
• be sensitive to client needs and exceed their expectations
• maintain market competitiveness
• be cognizant and proactive of any impact the operation may have on the environment
• build Big Chicago Brewing Company to be the best provider of contract brewing services

Thomas Inghram – President and Head of Brewing Operations

A passionate 15 year veteran of home brewing and beer judging.

Tom is US Air Force Veteran and holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Tech.  He recently retired from Siemens AG after 25 years of service as a Software and IT Engineer to pursue his dream of owning and running his own craft brewing business.  To gain experience on a larger brewing scale, Tom served as the brewery operations liaison at Flatlander’s Brewing Company for the past six years.

Russ Sher – Sales Manager and PR

Russ holds degrees in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts from Triton College in River Grove, Illinois and Network Engineering from DePaul University in Chicago.  He has held upper management level positions in several national restaurant chains and has owned several successful technology consulting businesses.  In 2007, he took on the role of Director of Operations for Flatlander’s Brewing Company where he met Tom and it is here where they decided to enter the business of providing contract brewing services.

Valerie Delligatti – QA Engineer / Chemist

Big-time home brewer with edge and attitude.

Valerie attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and holds a degree in Chemical Engineering.  Her current focus is in quality engineering for manufacturing and laboratory applications.  She recently further developed her craft beer acumen with courses from the Siebel Institute.  Her analytical and QA skills will be an immeasurable asset to the company’s operations especially in the area of future yeast propagation.