Our Story

Why Banging Gavel Brews?

Our team was started by a lawyer, Jim Richert, two accountants, Kyle O’Connor and Ed Richert, and a graphic designer, Beckie (Richert) O’Connor. The most interesting of those occupations to leverage was Jim’s profession of practicing law. There were so many ways we could take the name based on the industry, so we went with it. We wanted the name to be catchy, bold and loud—as well as have meaning. We learned that the acronym “BGB” stood for the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches GesetzBuch)…which made it even better! So that’s how it came to be. We love enjoying our latest crafted creation and sharing it with you. We know our passion, but leave the judging to you.

Our Team

We each focus on what we’re best at—we’re not trying to be something we’re not. We stay humble as we work our way to the top.

Jim Richert

Jim Richert

Partner // President

Kyle O'Connor

Kyle O'Connor

Partner // Business Operations

Ed Richert

Ed Richert

Partner // Treasurer

Beckie O'Connor

Beckie O'Connor

Partner // Marketing & Creative Director

JT Rea

JT Rea

Head Brewer

 

After graduating with a B.S. in Biochemistry from Lake Superior State University in 2007, JT packed up his jeep and moved from Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Chicago, IL where he got his start in beer at Goose Island working in the quality lab. JT’s passion in brewing and science eventually led to working in the barrel aging program at Goose Island bringing such faves as Juliet to the craft beer world. After his time at Goose Island, JT switched gears and worked at Abbott Labs conducting pharmaceutical research and development, before moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL, where he worked in the medical device industry. His time in science sparked a passion for innovation but his love of beer led him back to the craft beer community. In 2016 , JT returned to professional brewing in Chicago, IL.

Specializing in traditional German and Belgian styles as well as barrel aged wild beer. JT Brought innovation and tradition to create unique flavor profiles. In 2021, JT joined the team at Banging Gavel Brewing as Head Brewer where he will combine his love of tradition and his passion for innovation to brew both classic and modern style beers for you to enjoy.

Ed Nemec

Ed Nemec

Director of Operations

 

Ed has over 40 years of experience as a restaurateur, creating exciting dining experiences throughout the suburbs. As Banging Gavel’s Director of Operations, he is charged with bringing The Vogt House to life. He has curated a top-notch TEAM dedicated to that challenge. Bringing forward the historic Intaliente Style of The Vogt House and expressing it through the offerings of a modern brewpub has been his mandate. From craft brews and cocktails the thoughtfully prepared house made dishes—Ed and his team are who bring it all together, to provide a unique, intentionally designed experience that every guest who visits The Vogt House will enjoy.

Our goals

All the Best

We are excited that we found our home in Tinley Park. Although we are one of many breweries in town, we bring you something you won’t experience anywhere else. We have set our hopes on being one of the greatest breweries in the area, making history in our community.

“We love this community and hope to bring more people together with great beer, food and live music in a unique space.”
Jim Richert

The Vogt House

Step into the past.

The Historic Vogt House is the home of Banging Gavel Brews Brewpub, where you can get fresh pours of our beer paired with delicious food prepared in our kitchen. Learn about some of the history of the building here.

Review the evidence:

A Dream becoming our reality

In 2013, Jim Richert became very interested in the craft brewery expansion. Nothing like this has existed since the pre-prohibition era. He figured, why not toss his hat in the ring. He and his brother, Ed, took a beer class at Bev-Arts in Beverly, which now has a meadery. They made their first homebrew, a Belgian Tripel, and branded it “Justice Brewing” which could have been our permanent name if it wasn’t already taken (what a relief). Through that experience, the brothers got the bug. Soon after that, the plans were discussed and the early stages of “Banging Gavel Brews” started taking shape.

Contract Brewing

In 2014 we formed as Banging Gavel Brews and began setting the foundation for the brand. This included coming up with names for our beers and getting our name out there in the local marketplace.

Even then the craft beer scene was growing quickly, and you could find a lot of craft beer festivals all over Chicagoland. We started contract brewing at the end of that year at Church Street in Itasca and packaged our first beer, Red Handed, an Irish Style Red Ale that December. We brewed with Church street until 2021 as we were getting closer to completing the construction of our permanent location.

Finding our house

In the spring of 2016, we found a historic landmark building, the Karl Vogt House, in downtown Tinley Park, which seemed like a great fit to open our brewery. We worked with the village of Tinley Park and experts on this type of project and eventually bought it in the summer of 2017. We partnered with our contractors and architecture firm to preserve the historic site while building the Brewpub. The construction was completed in Fall of 2023.

The Vogt House Taproom

Banging Gavel Brews renovated and restored the historical Vogt House, 17400 Oak Park Avenue in downtown Tinley Park to house its new production brewery, taproom and restaurant, all while restoring the space to its 1865 beginnings.

Guests can expect a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else. Inside, you will enter through the front door of the home to be greeted by a host and then guided into the 21-and-over taproom where an elegantly handcrafted, authentic Brunswick Bar is the focal point, or one of the various dining rooms. The upstairs parlor feels reminiscent of a judge’s chambers and the woodwork throughout the structure conjures classic drawing rooms from the 1800’s. The brewery in the basement produces Banging Gavel Brews’ beers served in the taproom.

The Vogt House Bier Garten

In the summer of 2021, we introduced The Vogt House Bier Garten!

Where Banging Gavel Brews craft beer, drinks and food will be served alongside entertainment, as it has for the summer seasons in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Bier Garten will be open again in the spring, as it is closed for the season.

Tinley Park is ideally located for visitors arriving by train or car from the city or neighboring towns; it is close to the world-class Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre (originally known as World Music Theatre and formerly Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre) and Tinley Park Convention Center.

A wonderful historic building in a prominent location in Tinley Park, the Vogt House property is now home to Banging Gavel operations and has been restored to its glory days – while continuing its tradition of hospitality and respite.

Let us know if you have questions or comments! 

Cheers. Prost. Sláinte!

Visit The Vogt House Brewpub & Bier Garten

THE VOGT HOUSE  //  VIEW ON GOOGLE

17400 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park 60477

708-407-8263

4.5 ⭐ (89+ reviews)

CURRENT HOURS

MONDAYS: CLOSED

TUESDAYS: CLOSED

WEDNESDAYS: 3pm - 10pm

THURSDAYS: 3pm - 10pm

FRIDAYS: 3pm - 11 pm

SATURDAYS: 11am - 11pm

SUNDAYS: 11am - 8pm

 

The Kitchen closes 1 hour before close.

(The Bier Garten will reopen in spring 2024)

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