“How about a little something, you know…for the effort?”
I largely know of Tinley Park’s 350 Brewing as being one of the more fun, lighthearted breweries in the Chicagoland landscape — a wild mix made up of hardcore pro-wrestling fans, South Side Irish ska-punks and craft beer aficionados.
So when they posted this to Facebook and Instagram, I could immediately see how it made sense:
Yes: famed actor, comedy legend, spirit animal and Chicago’s favorite son, Bill Murray, has give the thumbs up to a beer made in his name.
We reached out to 350 Brewing owner Todd Randall, who explained via email:
[The] Chicago Reader contacted us about supplying beer for Bill Murray’s event benefiting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Of course, we wanted to take that offer to the next level (that’s what 350 is all about). I suggested brewing a beer specifically for Bill Murray to help make the event even more special.
Everyone involved loved the idea, so myself, (head brewer) Dusty Peters & Matt “Sharpie” Sharp (Visual Assassin) got to work right away! We wanted to bring to the table a classic beer style with a classic look.
Bill Murray is an absolute icon, especially in Chicago. We wanted to make him proud. Looking forward to sharing a beer with him on October 10th at his event. Once in a lifetime shit right here….
Per Randall, Bill Murray did not have any particular input into the beer itself — but he did approve of it’s creation. As Randall put it, the Irish red ale was “brewed with his approval… and definitely with him in mind.”
Murray’s Irish Red will be available on September 28 only at the 350 Brewing taproom, and a 4-pack of cans will cost $12. Beyond that, the beer will be available at the “Pizza And Beer with Bill Murray” CSO benefit event, but unfortunately tickets are already sold out.
If we may make a suggestion: If this ever gets brewed again and put into a barrel, it absolutely has to be one from Suntory Whisky.
350 Brewing is located at 7144 183rd St in Tinley Park, Illinois. You can find them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.