ERIS Brewery and Cider House

What ERIS Brewery and Cider House does

ERIS Brewery and Cider House is a women-owned craft cidery and brewpub co-founded by Michelle Foik and Katy Pizza, operating from a single location at 4240 W Irving Park Rd in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood. The company produces creative hard ciders using Michigan apples, with a year-round portfolio (Pedestrian at 5.9% ABV, E-Phoria at 6%, Van Van Mojo at 6.1%, Blush at 6%), a seasonal lineup (Strawbarbarella May-Sep, Pepper Jam Nov-Apr, rebranded Sept 2024), and a recurring Chaos Series of limited releases including PUNX, Apfel Ort, Just The Mo, Smash Play, and Blushing Barrel.

The business operates a multi-revenue model combining on-premise brewpub sales (food, draft cider and beer, cocktails) with packaged wholesale distribution, private events and catering, ticketed workshops, and e-commerce merchandise. Wholesale reach is built through two regional partnerships: Heartland Beverages across greater Illinois since 2019 and Lakeshore Beverage across Chicagoland since August 2023, with the company reporting 200%+ growth in local distribution since 2019. Pricing spans $4-$8 per cider pour, $14-$20 per howler/bottle, food entrees at $7-$21, workshops at $10-$130, and merchandise at $5.99-$25.

ERIS runs on a standard hospitality technology stack (Toast POS, Resy and Tock for reservations, Eventbrite for ticketing, Grubhub and Uber Eats for delivery) and discloses no proprietary technology, AI/ML capability, or external funding. Recurring community programming such as Goth Prom, drag brunches, and trivia, alongside partnerships with local organizations (Wolf Point, Jade Vine, KayHo), functions as the primary customer retention and brand-building mechanism around the single physical site.

Name

ERIS Brewery and Cider House

Legal name

ERIS Brewery and Cider House

Website

https://erischicago.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ERIS Brewery and Cider House is a women-owned craft cidery and brewpub in Chicago's Old Irving Park that produces hard ciders from Michigan apples and sells them on-premise, through regional distributors, and via events, workshops, and merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Cider & Brewpub

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Cideries & Meadery Tasting Rooms (THAFALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cider & Perry Production (AFAFAAAD), Cider & Perry Producers & Brands (CRADAIAE), Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)

Keywords

• Craft hard cider
• Brewpub dining
• Craft beverage production
• Private event hosting
• Women-owned brewery

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Brewpub Food & Beverage Sales: On-site dining and drinking revenue at the Old Irving Park brewpub, including ciders on tap, beer, cocktails, food items, and brunch service. Happy hour Mon–Thu 4–6pm and Fri 12–6pm with discounted pricing.
2. Packaged Cider Wholesale Distribution: Canned and bottled hard cider sold through distributor partners (Lakeshore Beverage, Heartland Beverages) to Chicagoland bottle shops and retail locations. Year-round ciders include Pedestrian, E-Phoria, Van Van Mojo, and Blush; seasonal offerings include Strawbarbarella (May–Sep) and Pepper Jam (Nov–Apr).
3. Private Events & Catering: Revenue from hosting private events including weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, bridal showers, retirement parties, and other celebrations. Events are coordinated by a dedicated professional events planner.
4. E-commerce Merchandise: Online store sales of branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, tanks, sweatshirts, beanies), glassware (pint glasses, Belgian snifters), accessories (gloves, tin tacker), and gift cards ranging from $20–$200.
5. Ticketed Events & Workshops: Revenue from paid ticketed events and workshops hosted at the brewpub, including mixology classes ($40), Counterfeit Combat stage combat workshops ($10–$30), floral arranging workshops ($85–$130), bonsai workshops, sip-and-paint nights, and trivia/bingo nights ($5 per person credit).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ERIS Brewery and Cider House is a women-owned craft cidery and brewpub in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood. The company produces hard ciders from Michigan apples — including year-round, seasonal, and limited Chaos Series varieties — and operates a brewpub serving craft beer, cocktails, and an inclusive food menu. It also hosts private events, recurring community programming, and ticketed workshops, and distributes packaged cider through regional beverage wholesalers.

Product overview

ERIS Brewery and Cider House is a women-owned craft cidery and brewpub in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood. The core product portfolio consists of hard ciders available year-round (Pedestrian, E-Phoria, Van Van Mojo, Blush), seasonal ciders (Strawbarbarella and Pepper Jam), and limited Chaos Series releases. The company also operates a brewpub with an inclusive food menu and offers private event/wedding hosting services. Merchandise including apparel and glassware is sold through their online store. The ciders are made using Michigan apples with a creative, modern approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chaos Series: Limited release ciders released in limited quantities whenever inspiration strikes, featuring one-off recipes using fun, unexpected ingredients.

Products and services

• Pedestrian Hard Cider

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lakeshore BeveragecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 August 2023ERIS added Lakeshore Beverage as its primary Chicagoland distributor effective the week of August 21, 2023. Lakeshore Beverage handles distribution within ERIS's existing footprint in the Chicago metro area. Both companies are committed to a smooth transition, maintaining retailer stock and expanding consumer access to ERIS ciders on tap and on shelves.
• Heartland BeveragescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Continued distribution partner that has supported ERIS's 200%+ growth in local distribution since 2019. Maintains distribution services in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Kankakee, Grundy, Winnebago, and Boone counties, as well as the greater Peoria, Champaign, and Springfield areas of Illinois.
• Wolf Point DistilleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative partner for cider cocktail mixology classes held at the ERIS brewpub. Wolf Point provides its Florence Field Gin and Rye Whiskey for cocktail education and experimentation sessions. ERIS bar director guides participants through spirit-cider pairings. Classes priced at $40 including an ERIS glass.
• The Jade Vine Flower ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal, earth-conscious flower shop specializing in wedding services, workshops, and special events. Co-hosts floral arranging workshops at the ERIS brewpub. Woman-owned business. Sessions priced at $85–$130 and feature sustainable floristry tips and hands-on design.
• KayHo CeramicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKristen Holub of KayHo Ceramics creates one-of-a-kind functional ceramics with hand-carved designs. Collaborates with ERIS and The Jade Vine on combined floral and ceramics workshops celebrating women-owned businesses.
• Whaddayaknow TriviaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrivia host Kari from Whaddayaknow Trivia leads free weekly Tuesday Trivia nights at ERIS. Trivia events are recurring weekly programming that drives regular foot traffic to the brewpub.
• Counterfeit CombatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStage combat professionals who host recurring workshops and events at ERIS including Saber Sundays, Sword Girl Summer, Fight Like a Paladin, Fantasy Fit, and Hunger Games Battle for the Cornucopia. Events are ticketed ($10–$30) and cater to adults 18+.
• Black Beer BaronminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on Smash Play hard cider — a blackberry cider with honey, oak, and a hint of citrus. Sold as a limited release at the brewpub.
• Uptown TaproomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerERIS participated in the Uptown Taproom's Wizard of Paws dog-friendly tap takeover event, featuring ERIS cider for dog owners and their pets.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Maplewood Brewing Company: Chicago craft brewery operating a taproom and distributing packaged beer across the Midwest. Comparable to ERIS in brewpub-plus-wholesale model, community events programming, and Chicago-anchored brand identity.
• Hop Butcher for the World: Chicago craft brewery focused on limited-release, hop-forward beers with strong Chicago retail and on-premise presence. Comparable to ERIS in experimental limited-release cadence and Chicago packaged-beer shelf competition.
• Off Color Brewing: Chicago craft brewery with a taproom and regional packaged distribution known for unconventional, design-forward branding. Comparable to ERIS in creative, brand-led positioning and Chicago taproom-plus-distribution footprint.
• Half Acre Beer Company: Chicago craft brewery with a brewpub/taproom footprint and packaged distribution across the Midwest. Comparable to ERIS in Chicago-anchored brewpub model, packaged wholesale, and community-driven taproom programming, though focused on beer rather than cider.
• Revolution Brewing: Chicago brewpub operator with deep ties to local hospitality, private events, and packaged distribution. Comparable to ERIS in brewpub-driven revenue mix, event hosting, and Chicago regional distribution focus.
• Une Année: Chicago craft brewery with a North Center taproom and packaged distribution. Comparable to ERIS in neighborhood brewpub model, Chicago distribution footprint, and small-batch, story-led brand positioning.

Direct peers

• Virtue Cider: Michigan-based craft cidery producing terroir-driven hard ciders from estate and partner-grown apples. Comparable to ERIS in craft-cider positioning, Michigan apple sourcing, and emphasis on premium, story-led branding rather than mass-market cider.
• Stem Ciders: Craft cidery operating a flagship taproom plus wholesale distribution across multiple U.S. markets. Comparable to ERIS in combining on-premise taproom experience with packaged wholesale growth and an experimental, design-forward product line.

Broad incumbents

• Angry Orchard: National craft-style hard cider brand owned by Boston Beer Company with broad retail and on-premise distribution. Comparable to ERIS as a cider competitor on the same shelves and taps, but at vastly greater scale and marketing budget.
• Woodchuck Hard Cider: Established national hard cider brand with wide grocery and on-premise distribution. Comparable to ERIS in cider category overlap, competing for the same retail buyer and tap handles at a national incumbent scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/erischicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/erischicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eris-brewery-and-cider-house

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ERIS Brewery and Cider House