Plainfield Nevin's Rebrands Beer Under 'Midnight Pig' Name

PLAINFIELD, IL — After five years in Plainfield, Nevin's Brewing Company is making a new name for itself — literally. The business, 12337 South Route 59, on Tuesday hosted an event to unveil a rebranding for its Nevin’s Draft Co. craft beer offerings, which are now being sold under the Midnight Pig brand name.

In a news release, Nevin's said the name is a nod to the Prohibition era, "inspired by speakeasies, bootleggers and moonshiners." A "pig" was a vessel used to carry alcohol surreptitiously during the era, the business said. Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933 in the United States.

Midnight Pig beers will be served at Neving's Brewing Co. and sold online at bars and retailers throughout the Chicago area. During an event on Tuesday — the anniversary of the date the 21st Amendment repealing Prohibition was ratified — Midnight Pig announced its new beers:

• Apocalyptinator: Nevin’s Brewing Company’s 2016 Great American Beer Fest medal winner is a German-style Dopplebock with a big blast of caramel, chocolate and toasted toffee.
• Hook & Hatchet: Nevin’s Brewing Company’s interpretation of a Vienna-style lager in which a variety of high kilned, crystal and roasted malts are used to produce this copper hued, pretzely, malty, with a hint of caramel, brew.
• Shamefaced: Nevin’s Brewing Company’s pilsner is brewed with 100% German pilsner malt along with Mandarina Bavaria hops. Their take on the pilsner is that it should feature the flavors and aromatics of the hop with very little bitterness. Mandarina Bavaria hops add a fresh, crisp orange citrus note that makes this beer highly drinkable and delicious.
• Snitches get Stitches: Nevin’s Brewing Company teamed up with good friends in the Spent Grain Society homebrew club to brew this delicious Robust Porter. Chocolate, roast, and a hint of dark caramel make this beer amazing.
• Tumultuous: Nevin’s Brewing Company’s double dry hopped Imperial IPA with copious amounts of Centennial, Cascade, Chinook & Styrian Wolfe hops. Look for aromatics of pineapple, citrus and pine followed by a full bodied and well balanced drinking experience.

“With Midnight Pig, we are celebrating the history of brewing by acknowledging it’s infamous past; a lurid cast of characters and tales narrated from moonlit roads, back alleys, and speakeasies," Ed Carrella, CEO of Nevin's owner Sonas Hospitality, said in a news release. "This renowned era arose from the ingenuity of a few. Indeed, we’re talking about the innovators and the innovations that sowed the seeds for this notorious time—from inventive recipes to brewing techniques, packaging ideas, and reimagined transport move goods quickly. It’s in this same spirit of determined ingenuity and innovation that we find our source of inspiration. We love the process of creating something new, and better yet, doing it sustainably. It drives our noble purpose. It’s about creating something seriously great, without taking ourselves too seriously, because what we do best should speak on its own.”

The Nevin's brand has seen a lot of changes in recent months. Most notably, the beloved Tommy Nevin's Pub in Evanston closed last month. The owners of Nevin's plan to open a craft beer taproom inside Pete Miller's Steak and Seafood across the street from the former Evanston pub. Another Tommy Nevin's location in Naperville closed in July and reopened as a Pete Miller's location.

Images: Plainfield Village President Michael Collins with Midnight Pig staff/Midnight Pig logo. Submitted photos used with permission.