Visiting Moody Tongue, the Michelin Star Brewery in Chicago

I’ve had Moody Tongue on my list for years. It took Sol, my daughter’s friend, to finally get me through the doors. We were already downtown after our walk through Chicago’s Beer Baron’s Row, so the timing couldn’t have been better.

The discreet entrance to Moody Tongue on Wabash Ave — home to Chicago’s Michelin-starred brewery.

Founded in 2014 by cousins Jared Rouben (a brewmaster with a fine-dining background) and Jeremy Cohn, Moody Tongue started in a Pilsen warehouse before moving to its current South Loop home at 2515 S. Wabash Ave. From the beginning, they’ve championed what Rouben calls “culinary brewing”—treating beer with the same precision and creativity as chefs treat food. Think shaved black truffle pilsners, juiced lychee IPAs, and meticulous pairings that make beer as central to fine dining as wine.

In 2021, Moody Tongue made history as the first brewery restaurant in the world to earn two Michelin stars. Today it holds one star, but the philosophy hasn’t changed: highlight ingredients, balance flavors, and create experiences where food and beer are equals. For visitors curious about pairing food and beer at the highest level, this Michelin star brewery in Chicago is an experience you won’t forget.

🍒 First Pour

Kicking things off with a Cherry Berliner Weisse, tart and refreshing.

My first pour was a Cherry Berliner Weisse—bright, tart, and refreshing, with just the right blush of color.

The Showstopper

The famous chocolate cake: rich, layered, and perfect for sharing.

The Nitro Caramelized Chocolate Churro Porter — the ultimate dessert pairing.

Good company, good beer — the perfect way to take in Chicago’s only Michelin-starred brewery.

The star of the night, though, was dessert: a towering slice of German chocolate cake paired with their Nitro Caramelized Chocolate Churro Porter.

The German chocolate cake was beautifully balanced — glossy chocolate glaze, ganache, espresso cheesecake, pecans, and coconut all working in harmony without overpowering the chocolate. This was one of the very best chocolate cakes I have ever had! The Nitro Caramelized Chocolate Churro Porter was equally refined: chocolaty and lush, yet never cloying. Caramel and vanilla layered with Oaxacan chocolate, a whisper of cinnamon, and a nutty undertone gave it depth without heaviness. Its smooth body and clean, dry finish lifted the richness of the cake, making the pairing indulgent but wonderfully balanced. I came for the beer, but that cake was a wonderful surprise!

Moody Tongue: The Michelin Star Brewery in Chicago

Moody Tongue’s dining room and bar are sleek, modern spaces designed to showcase pairings. Guests can enjoy a tasting menu in the Dining Room or order à la carte in The Bar. The philosophy is the same: elevate beer beyond the pint glass.

Enjoying one of Moody Tongue’s darker pours at the bar.

It’s not just about brewing; it’s about storytelling. Every pour comes with intention, every pairing with purpose.

📍 Plan Your Visit

• Location: 2515 S. Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL

• Founded: 2014, relocated to South Loop in 2019

• Michelin Recognition: First brewery in the world to earn two Michelin stars (2021)

Enjoying one of Moody Tongue’s darker pours at the bar.

Chicago doesn’t just brew beer—it elevates it. With over 100 breweries in the metro area, the city ranks among America’s beer capitals in total brewery count. It also stands apart as home to the only Michelin-starred brewery in the United States. Chicago’s sheer variety and depth of craft beer make Moody Tongue’s Michelin-starred experience all the more special. If you’re exploring the city, pair your visit with a stroll through historic Beer Baron’s Row for the perfect mix of past and present.