Today we’d like to introduce you to David Avram.
David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Much like many things, the concept of Great Central evolved over time. I was involved in a different startup project for a traditional brewpub that at some point pivoted to a pure production facility model. Along the way, we explored brewing the first beers on contract as a way to avoid the upfront equipment costs, and dedicate the resources solely to the development of the beer and the brand.
Finding a capable and comprehensive contract brewing facility proved more difficult than I’d thought – the bulk of my conversations with potential contract brewing vendors resulting in dead ends. For reasons that expanded beyond the contract brewing vendor challenge, the original project went pencils down. But this notion of contract brewing with precision and integrity was still nagging at me. A company certainly should be capable of providing scalable and dependable capacity for all craft brewers.
Enter the concept of Great Central Brewing Company. The name was chosen to honor Chicago’s historic roots as the nation’s Great Central Market – a name derived from Chicago’s function as a major industrial hub and a center for exchange. The goal was to preserve a piece of this history while building a modernized industrial facility known for its reliability, authenticity, and quality.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been an adventure, that’s for sure.
I have to remind myself that it’s a startup and there will inherently be bumps and periods of tremendous growth. Inspiring stories about startups are everywhere, and the ones that resonate most with me tend to contain tales of hard work, perseverance, a healthy dose of fatigue, even the realistic notion of perhaps losing a friend along the way. But most importantly, these stories often talk about hope while you’re grinding it out, wonderful learning experiences, personal growth and the development of new, completely unexpected relationships. That’s the beauty of a startup and is true of Great Central too.
We’ve fought for our success the whole way through – proving our concept, gaining our client’s trust, licensing, and as strange as it sounds, even weather.
Building in Chicago is an art form but can be a grueling one. At times it can be like trying to sculpt with two hands tied behind your back! You fight logistics, property theft, higher costs, and soil conditions. We had a major storm hit our building with 92 mph winds. It knocked down a portion of our building, ultimately delaying the project four months. You stand there watching the chaos, helpless to mother nature. But then the next day, you start repairing the damage, dig in your heels, and push forward.
As a startup, when you’re behind, you have to work three times as hard to catch up. It’s taken a village to raise this brewery, and the patient support of our family and friends to refresh our confidence along the way. I’m incredibly proud of where it is today and where it is headed.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Great Central Brewing Company – what should we know?
Great Central is known as a full-service production brewery providing contract-manufacturing services to growing craft brewers all around the country. We have a state of the art facility, some of the best brewers in the world, and we produce incredible beer. As a contract brewing facility that means we provide a turn-key solution for procuring client’s raw ingredients, executing their brew, fermenting, filtering, packaging it in cans and/or kegs, and loading the finished product into their distributor’s vehicle.
It’s a simplistic format on the surface, but the amount of components acting together on a daily basis make for a complex symphony of biological and logistical movements.
Our Brew Master, Andreas Miller, is German-born and trained. As a classically trained brewer, he’s always worked to brew clean and clear beers of the highest quality. That said, I would say we specialize in lager beers, but perhaps more importantly, Andreas and Laura (our QC Chief and Head Brewer) specialize in optimizing our client beer, and our GCBC label – consistently delivering on flavor matching, attenuation, turbidity, and more.
I’m most proud of the amazing team that makes up the small but might engine behind Great Central Brewing Company. Brewing great beer takes perseverance and constant refinement. Our team is dedicated to staying current and active in both technique and approaches. This team is superbly talented.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Like many startups, there is a giant supporting cast! There have been so many people from concept to realization who have helped along the way whether it be vendors, other brewery owners, bankers, brokers, investors, family, and friends. All playing critical and important roles in making the brewery the success it is today. In particular, this project could not have been completed without the generous support of The City of Chicago, Alderman Burnett, The Industrial Council of Near West Chicago (ICNC) and the Chicago Development Fund.
A special shoutout for sure goes to my Dad who to this day continues to be my greatest mentor and friend.
Contact Info:
- Address: 221 N Wood Street Chicago, IL 60612
- Website: www.greatcentralbrewing.com
- Phone: 855-464-4222
- Email: cheers@greatcentralbrewing.com , events@greatcentralbrewing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gcbrewingco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatcentralbrewingcompany/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/gcbrewingco
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/great-central-brewing-company-chicago-2
Image Credit:
Courtney Dueppengiesser
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