Pilot Project Brewing To Launch Chicago’s First Cooperative Brewery This May

Pilot Project Brewing, the country’s first-of-its-kind beverage incubator, today announced that it’s launching Chicago’s first cooperatively owned and operated brewery, Brutalist Brewing Cooperative. 

Founded by a team of six seasoned industry professionals, Brutalist represents a bold, new model for craft beer production—one that prioritizes labor equity, local ownership, and community engagement. As a 100% worker-owned organization, Brutalist Brewing is redefining what it means to be “locally made.” Entering the market without reliance on outside investors or corporate oversight, the cooperative is fully developed by the individuals who craft the beer and build the brand themselves.

The name Brutalist is a nod to the brutalist style of architecture which is characterized by raw, exposed materials in the same way that Brutalist’s beverages will be ingredient-driven. The team will articulate the style of each product while staying true to its original form. 

Operating initially as a nomadic brewing entity through the incubator space at Pilot Project Brewing, Brutalist is focused on proving the power and viability of its alternative ownership model. The cooperative plans to expand into a dedicated facility in the near future, with long-term goals of inviting public membership and deepening its community ties.

“Pilot Project is always keen to stretch and pull our industry in new and unique ways of thinking. Partnering to launch Brutalist Brewing, the first brewery worker-cooperative, is no exception,” says Pilot Project CEO and co-founder Dan Abel, “they’re a wildly experienced team and we look forward to supporting them across all aspects of development, marketing, distribution and the launch of their fantastic products.”

Brutalist Brewing Cooperative will initially launch with two products: Industry Plant (a lager) and Agro Pop (a hazy IPA). Both products will be available in cans and on tap at Pilot Project’s Chicago and Milwaukee tap rooms and throughout Chicago at restaurants, bars and retailers. 

Pilot Project was created to help support talented brewers in an industry with exceptionally high barriers and to date, Pilot has launched 21 beverage brands (9 of which are led by women). This includes nationally recognized brands like women-founded Luna Bay Hard Kombucha and ROVM Hard Kombucha; Black-owned Funkytown Brewery; travel-inspired Brewer’s Kitchen; Indian-led Azadi Brewing; Donna's Pickle Beer and more. 

For more information, please visit brutalistbrewing.info or follow along on social media at @brutalist.brewing.