You want to go to a brewery. But not just any brewery–you’re the discerning type, after all. You want to go somewhere new; somewhere with best-kept-secret vibes and a fast-rotating tap list of delightfully unique and layered brews. You want hanging plants, exposed brewing tanks, and lots of natural light…somewhere that feels as laidback and natural as a garage hang with a couple of your best buds. And, duh, dogs allowed in the taproom is a MUST.
You, dear reader, want to go to Demo Brewing Company. One of the newer additions to Malt Row, Demo is a secret garden of a microbrewery in the heart of Ravenswood, co-owned by husband-and-wife duo Jeff Borders and Chelsie Patterson. Light on its feet and tight on its turns, Demo’s built a cult following among Midwestern hopheads–and the momentum doesn’t show any signs of slowing. They’ve got tons in the works for the coming months, including new events and food pop-ups, so be sure to keep an eye out! Visit Demo’s Website and Instagram Page.
Want to nominate a Ravenswood business for a future spotlight feature? Email your suggestions to grace@ravenswoodchicago.org!
Tell us a bit about the story behind Demo Brewing Co. How did it come to be?
Jeff had a homebrew kit tucked away in our tiny apartment, and one day we tried it as a fun, one-time date night. Turns out, it wasn’t just one time, Jeff was hooked. He dove into brewing: reading, experimenting, even serving beer at a friend’s wedding. Pretty soon, our condo kitchen had fully transformed into a mini brewery. He kept coming back to the same question: What if we actually did this for real? He envisioned a space with great beer, good music, and the kind of vibe where anyone could feel like a regular. After buying equipment (and storing it for two years, thanks to COVID), then tackling setup with a close friend and his dad, we finally opened the doors and brought Demo to life last year!
Why the name Demo?
“Demo” is short for “demonstration,” which felt right for a brewery built on ‘trying something new’. We’re always having fun with it and experimenting. Once a beer runs out, we’re onto the next idea. Last year alone, we brewed 63 unique beers and seltzers. It’s all about staying curious and keeping things fresh, like a band’s demo tape.
What do you love most about having a business in Ravenswood?
The sense of community is incredible. Ravenswood is welcoming, creative, and full of support for small businesses. From our fellow brewers to the folks who’ve been stopping by since day one, we’re grateful to be part of a neighborhood that truly shows up for each other.
What are you most proud of about Demo? Tell us about your biggest ‘win’ as a business
Creating a space people come back to. Seeing someone bring their parents in one week and their friends (and dogs) the next, that’s the kind of win we care about. We’ve hosted private events ranging from baby showers to engagement parties to 1st and 40th birthdays. It’s an honor to be part of those meaningful moments. I’ll never forget a couple who took the day off work to give their dog one last perfect Chicago summer day before saying goodbye. They went to Montrose Dog Beach, then stopped at Demo for a treat. Getting to be part of a moment like that is something we’ll never take for granted.
What’s the biggest challenge in running your business?
Wearing every hat, especially as a husband-and-wife duo with an amazing small team of beertenders. We’re brewing, bartending, marketing, booking vendors, hauling kegs, and still trying to carve out time to think about what’s next. It’s a lot, but it also keeps us connected to every part of the business.
What do you wish more people knew about Demo? Any quirks or fun facts?
The googly eyes! If you’ve been to our taproom, you’ve probably seen two giant sets of eyes on our fermenters — and if you look closer, you’ll find lots more hidden throughout. They’re not random. They’re a tribute. My dad passed away unexpectedly in May 2023 while we were getting ready to open. He’d toured the space during construction and was always someone who embraced laughter — goofy faces in trees, stickers on fruit, that kind of thing. So we added a few googly eyes around the brewery to carry a little of his joy with us.
Also, we brew our own seltzers! That’s something unique to our taproom. We visited a seltzer-focused brewery years ago and were blown away by how much better fresh seltzer tasted. Plus, one of our best friends has celiac, so we wanted a great gluten-free option.
What’s next for Demo? Let us in on some of the things you’re excited about in the coming months!
We’re really excited to start using our big parking lot more. Beginning late summer, we’ll be bringing in food trucks and trying out some new events. And of course, we’re always working on new beer styles for late summer and early fall. A few things already on the calendar:
- Weds 9/3: Happy Lobster Food Truck round 2
- Wed 9/10: Kokedama Plant Bar with Uncommon Plant Guy + Chicago Mama’s Kitchen Empanadas
- Thurs 9/18: Blockbuster Movie Trivia Night @ 7PM
- Sat 9/20: Parking Lot Day with Chicago Growth Project and Dovetail (Kid-friendly!)
- Wed 9/24: Mystery League Tabletop Puzzle Night + La Humita Food Truck
What are your favorite non-Demo brews on Malt Row at the moment?
Dovetail’s lagers are always incredible — it’s honestly intimidating being so close to a brewery with that many awards! We also really like what our friends at Begyle and Hop Butcher are brewing up lately. Each place brings something different to the table, and that makes the whole experience better.
What is your favorite neighborhood event and why?
Malt Row on Damen was a highlight this year — it was our first time participating, and we loved it. We got to meet so many neighbors and were posted up outside a sandwich shop trying great food and talking to curious beer drinkers. The energy was awesome.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Chicago?
The lakefront, the parks, the walkability, the food and drinks — and the people. Chicago has such a distinct energy. It’s creative, diverse, and down-to-earth. We love raising our family here.
What song(s) have you been listening to on repeat lately?
Depends on who you ask! Jeff says “the new Tennis album is pretty incredible.” One of our beertenders recently said their favorite playlist is “Classy Brewery” on Soundtrack because it’s funky — but not too funky. That feels like the Demo vibe.
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
For fun: ice cream. But honestly, our 9-month-old son is everything. Watching him grow and seeing his big personality come through is our greatest joy right now.
What’s the last amazing book you read?
Jeff’s usually knee-deep in brewing books. I just started We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer, my cousin recommended it as a super-engaging, easy read, so between having a baby and a brewery, I am excited to finish it 🙂
How has GRCC membership been helpful for Demo?
We love it. GRCC has helped us connect with other small businesses, discover partnership opportunities, and gain exposure at events. It’s a great network and the people are just genuinely cool and supportive.
What types of events/programs would you like to see more of from GRCC?
We’d love to keep building on the ‘Malt Row’ concept, maybe a bigger “brewery crawl” package. A couple from Iowa visited recently and said they read about Malt Row in Midwest Living, so the potential to make it a destination area is there. The more exposure we can create for the area as a whole, the better it is for everyone.
In your opinion, what makes Malt Row special?
It’s collaborative, not competitive. Each business brings its own flavor, and we all cheer each other on. Plus, the neighborhood murals and creative energy between stops make it special; it’s not just about the beer, it’s about the entire experience.
What’s your vision for the future of Ravenswood?
A neighborhood where local businesses continue to thrive, artists have space to create, and people gather in ways that feel authentic, welcoming, and a little unexpected. We hope Demo continues to be part of that story.
Demo Brewing Company
1763 W Berteau Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
www.demobrewery.com / IG: @demobrewery
