Step into the past.

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!