Ravinia Brewing spills new name: Steep Ravine Brewing

A local brewery is ready to pass you a fresh one.

You will soon find a new name on your old favorite from Ravinia Brewing Company, which is transitioning into Steep Ravine Brewing Company, the result of a lawsuit settlement with Ravinia Festival.

Steep Ravine is an homage to Highland Park’s trademark landscape and is the name of brewery’s flagship beer, an India Pale Ale, that isn’t going anywhere, according to a press release from the Highland Park-based brewery.

The company’s primary logo — a “tree guy” riding a bicycle — remains, as does the brewery’s beer lineup, from Diversey Station hazy pale ale to Food Truck Pilsner to Lost Hops.

“This rebranding gave us the rare opportunity to reflect on who we are and what makes us special,” said Jeff Hoobler, managing partner, in the release. “Every time we thought of new names, we came back to our origins — our original home in the Ravinia District of Highland Park, and the steep ravines and stories that surround it. By putting our ‘Tree Guy’ and our Highland Park heritage front and center, we’re staying true to our identity. We’re excited to keep doing what we love for years to come.”

While a limited volume of Steep Ravine labeled beer is available at the brewery’s Highland Park location, 582 Roger Williams Ave., a complete rebranding will take time, the release says.

The Highland Park taproom will undergo “modest updates” but remain open; however, the Chicago location in Logan Square will close to the public on Dec. 14 for an undetermined amount of time. Steep Ravine will use the Chicago facilities to continue brewing and the release hints at a future concept for the space.

“Exciting announcements about the taproom’s future will follow soon,” the release reads.

Co-founder Kris Walker said in a statement that the brewery will continue to focus on building community through its products.

“When we launched Ravinia Brewing 10 years ago, our mission was built on three pillars: community, craft, and creation,” Walker said. “As we transition to Steep Ravine Brewing Company, we’re embracing the connection between beer and storytelling. Sharing a beer has always been about creating meaningful experiences, and this next chapter allows us to honor that tradition.

“Your story. Our beer. We’re excited to share what’s ahead with our community and fans.”

Ravinia Brewing Company — co-owned by Walker and Hoobler — began distributing beer in 2017 and opened its Highland Park taproom and taco bar in 2018. The Chicago location opened in 2021.

The brewing and Ravinia Festival co-signed an agreement in 2017 with parameters on the use of “Ravinia,” which was first trademarked by the Ravinia Festival Association in 2002 and then those protections were expanded in 2011.

In 2023, Ravinia Festival sued the Highland Park microbrewery for allegedly using the protected Ravinia trademark to intentionally mislead consumers and reap the benefits — financially and otherwise.

The brewery was quick to deny the allegations and file counterclaims in response, but in the end, about 10 months after the suit was filed, Ravinia Brewing agreed to seek new branding with Ravinia’s “assistance.” The nature of the assistance is unclear, and Ravinia Festival officials declined to comment further.

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