Saint Errant Brewing will put down permanent roots and open its own taproom next month at 2000 Dempster St. after years of brewing in different locations around Evanston.
The venture came from a passion for home brewing shared by two of its co-owners, Brent Banks and Ryan Jacobs. The business was named after saint-errant, a term for a wandering saint, since the brewers were similarly bouncing around different places, Banks explained.
It will open in the former space of Temperance Beer Co., which closed in October 2024 due to “overwhelming” financial obligations and industry changes, according to its former owner Josh Gilbert.
Prior to its closure, Saint Errant was brewing out of Temperance’s location. Banks said he was very familiar with the space and knew the community after operating there for over two years.
“When Temperance unfortunately went under, it presented (an) opportunity for us to lay down some roots,” Banks said.
Banks and Jacobs brought on the business’ third co-founder, Roger Cuzelis, just as the idea of Saint Errant was starting. Banks knew Cuzelis from work at another brewery, where they were assistant and head brewers, respectively.
Discussions of opening a permanent Saint Errant location already started before Temperance closed, according to Gilbert.
The two breweries had an alternating proprietorship while Temperance was still in business. On the premises of Temperance, Saint Errant had “unfettered access” to equipment, Gilbert said. They purchased and installed a tank for brewing and used the rest of Temperance’s appliances as part of the agreement, Gilbert added.
He said he felt “really bad” when Temperance closed, since it meant Saint Errant wouldn’t have that access anymore. But come March, they will once more. Part of Banks’ goal for Saint Errant in the coming months is to “bring forward what Temperance had here,” he said.
“I hope people come out in hordes and check out the new space,” Gilbert said.
Others in the Evanston brewing industry are also excited for Saint Errant’s opening.
Following the closure of Temperance and Smylie Brothers Brewing Co., another Evanston-based brewery, Double Clutch Brewing Company head brewer and co-founder Scott Frank said he felt like his business was “out on an island by ourselves.”
When there are fewer breweries in an area, it makes it more difficult for customers to justify coming to visit, Frank said, but when there are more breweries in a city, people are more encouraged to support them.
He said there is a lot of “collaboration and camaraderie” among Evanston’s breweries, and Double Clutch interacts with other local breweries often.
Sketchbook Brewing Company owner and founder Cesar Marron echoed Frank’s sentiment, adding he’s “very happy” Saint Errant has found a way to revive Temperance’s space.
In recent years, Marron said he has seen a significant dip in customers coming to the taproom during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, and those numbers never fully bounced back, he said.
Frank said the market has “changed quite a bit” since he entered the business. Even though they were considered competition, he said he “didn’t smile” when he heard Temperance and Smylie Brothers Brewing Co. were closing.
Now, for Frank, Saint Errant’s opening is a good thing.
“Success in this industry breeds success,” Frank said. “We need a strong craft beer industry to succeed, and so does Saint Errant. We help each other in that regard.”
For Banks, the people in the industry are one of his favorite parts about his work.
He added that the people operating and patronizing breweries are “the best,” from fellow businesspeople to regulars he has formed friendships with.
“Working with cool people in a non-corporate environment is wonderful,” Banks said. “From the patrons to the employees, from beer lovers to the beer producers, it’s just good, fun people.”
Email: [email protected]
Related Stories:
— From surfboard to stovetop: Vegan restaurant 17 comes to downtown
— Crave Cookies opens up new Evanston location
— It’s about time: New Greek cafe Crepe O’Clock opens on Dempster Street
