Carpe diem, beer geeks. Haymarket Pub & Brewery quietly opened last week.

Located at the site of the 1886 Haymarket riot, the spiffed-up space is ambitious: brewery, bar, restaurant, theater, and coffeehouse — all rolled into one.

For the past year, Pete Crowley (Rock Bottom) and partner John Neurauter have been fermenting fourteen house beers, heavy on the hops and with a Belgian bent, plus a smattering of barrel-aged stouts and porters.

Haymarket’s pours will soon be on tap. Currently, exclusive guest brews (Founders Newaygo County Cherry; Dogfish Head Poppa Skull) and numerous Belgian bottles are available. Taste-test while ogling the windowed fermentation room and open kitchen, where chef Chris Buccheri (Three Floyd’s Brewing Co.) cooks seasonal sausages, rotisserie chicken, pizzas, and more.

The back room, home to the Drinking and Writing Theater, serves Metropolis coffee and knee-slapping comedy shows. Talk about a riot.

Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 West Randolph Street, at Halsted Street (312-638-0700 or haymarketbrewing.com).

Want to brew your own beer? Learn with our easy how-to video.

Photo: stacyjclinton / Flickr