Double Clutch Brewing Company
2121 N. Ashland Ave.
Evanston, IL
DoubleClutchBrewing.com

Monday-Thursday 12-10 p.m.
Friday 12-11 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

History in short: Double Clutch head brewer Scott Frank and Mike Chookaszian, a partner in Vandalay Brands (the company that owns Double Clutch), have long been neighbors and friends, not to mention car guys. So when you add Scott’s skills as a brewer and Mike’s appreciation of his father’s vintage car collection, it seemed like a logical match to bring it all together for one of the most unique brewery taprooms in the state.

Having opened in the fall of 2021, this is the first foray into the craft-beer scene for Vandalay Brands, owners of 10 restaurant concepts throughout the city and north suburbs.

This is a huge, stylish space, offering three distinctly different rooms with vaulted ceilings, exposed ductwork and massive garage door-style windows. Plus, up to 10 rare and vintage cars from the Chookaszian family collection are on display at all times.

The space: Tucked away in a tree-lined neighborhood on the north side of Evanston, this is a huge, stylish space, offering three distinctly different rooms with vaulted ceilings, exposed ductwork and massive garage door-style windows that can be opened when the weather cooperates. Plus, up to 10 rare and vintage cars are on display (and regularly rotated among the Chookaszian family collection of more than 100). We’re talking McClarens, a 1955 Ford Fairlane, 1956 Aston Martin, 1921 Ford Model T, 1913 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost and a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC, just to name a few. Vintage neon signs and gas tanks too. It’s really quite incredible.

The venue lends itself to lots of event opportunities for sure, and weekly bingo, trivia, live music and karaoke are the norm. A front patio is open while the weather allows.

And if you find yourself in downtown Chicago from Memorial Day through October, Double Clutch also operates the gorgeous beer garden at Millennium Park (11 N. Michigan Ave.) — which happens to be Chicago’s largest with a total capacity of 900 — and event space that’s located on top of the iconic winter ice rink at the foot of the Bean. Great happy hour specials there as well.

Interesting notes: With its large TVs, especially in the live music room, this is the place to catch all the Big Ten football action and a popular spot to grab a bite and a few beers on your way to Northwestern football and basketball games. Double Clutch also boasts a pretty solid weekday happy hour from 3-5 p.m. with $5 beers and $2 off select appetizers.

What we’re eating and drinking: Double Clutch, behind the trusted handiwork of head brewer Scott Frank, focuses on the longstanding traditions of German brewing and has won seven major awards at national and international beer competitions since opening its doors just four years ago.

The helles lager (silver medal winner at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival) probably earns the most notoriety. It’s well-balanced and offers the subtle aroma of the Hallertau hops of Bavaria with a touch of sweetness from Munich’s finest malt. The amber-colored altbier is another award winner, and on a recent visit, we fell back in love with the dark schwarzbier and its hint of chocolatey sweetness. We also enjoyed the E-Town Gold (lighter, malt-forward Vienna lager) and Little Juice Coupe (hazy IPA that focuses more on juiciness than bitterness). Cocktails, seltzers, ciders and wine? Yep, they’ve got you covered there too.

It doesn’t take long to realize Double Clutch takes its food seriously. In particular, the pulled pork sandwich — smoked in house and topped with apple slaw and crispy fried onion strings — is dynamite. … There’s plenty of vegan options too.

When the Marzen runs out at Double Clutch, they’ll roll out what they call sticke beer (which is slang in German for “secret”). Frank tells us that, in Dusseldorf, breweries often make a special batch of a more intensely flavored altbier for their loyal customers, and he follows suit with a brew that has more of a toasted amber and slight roast character. “It’s like a traditional altbier on steroids and really, really good,” he adds.

It doesn’t take long to realize Double Clutch (and the Vandalay brand in general) takes its food seriously. In particular, the pulled pork sandwich — smoked in house and topped with apple slaw and crispy fried onion strings — is dynamite. Same goes for the smoked wings, salad combinations, sausage platter, double burger with jalapeño bier cheese, and Rhode Island calamari with a caper remoulade.

There’s plenty of vegan options too, like chili, brats and a roasted veggie gyro, if you so desire.

There’s a big focus on the experience itself. If people come in for the cars, they’re surprised by the how great our food and beer are. If they come in for the beer, they’re surprised by how cool the cars and how diverse our food menu is.” — Kate Ahern

On the horizon: In mid-November, Frank will be rolling out his Smooth Alternator, a delightfully malty doppelbock that comes in at a hearty 8.2% ABV. And later this fall (or perhaps early December), swing in and grab yourself a pint of 5th Ward, a full-bodied, rich and slightly spicy winter ale.

As for events, on Wednesday, Oct. 15, Double Clutch is hosting a Pop-Up Paint Night with Bottle & Bottega at 7 p.m., where some talented artists will guide you every step of the way as you create your own masterpiece.

Like telling stories or listening to those who make it an art form? On Oct. 22 and Nov. 26, Double Clutch is hosting a “laid-back night of listening and telling stories” from 7–9 p.m.

From the brewery: “Having a full-service restaurant, brewery and all these fabulous cars on display on site, there really is something for everyone. There’s a big focus on the experience itself. If people come in for the cars, they’re surprised by the how great our food and beer are. If they come in for the beer, they’re surprised by how cool the cars and how diverse our food menu is.”

— Kate Ahern