How do you like them apples? Chicago’s first cider house, Eris, is a jaw-dropper

OLD IRVING PARK — After a more than three-year wait, Chicago is finally about to welcome its first cider house.

No one is more excited about the opening of Eris Brewery & Cider House than co-founder Michelle Foik, who conceived of the combined cider house/brew pub back in 2013. She and business partner Katy Pizza first presented their plan to the public in late 2014.

“I’m actually giddy,” said Foik, who also added “tired, excited and overwhelmed” to her list of emotions.

“There’s a brewery opening up its doors every day. Cider is what made me excited, the excitement of being something new. My passion is restaurants and cider grabbed my heart,” said Foik, a veteran of Revolution Brewing, Goose Island’s Wrigleyville location and Virtue Cider.

Eris, 4240 W. Irving Park Road, will have six house ciders on tap along with six house beers, all created and crafted by head brewer Hayley Shine, who will likely soon be in the market for an assistant.

The food menu complements the brews, offering enough choices to keep things interesting but not so many as to feel unfocused. The lineup of gluten-free and vegetarian dishes is uncommonly deep and holds its own against more traditional pub fare like burgers and pretzel bites.

The 100-year-old, 4½-story building, occupied most recently by the Korean Bethel Presbyterian Church, had great bones but required all new HVAC, electrical, plumbing, stairwells and more to meet current standards.

The interior was stripped down to the essential elements of exposed brick, steel and wood. Salvaged materials were repurposed, including the building’s radiators, which were restored and incorporated into railings.

“The building is insanely strong. You’ve got these gigantic metal beams, thick load-bearing walls and delicate details,” said Pizza.

“Is it awe-inspiring? Absolutely. It was, ‘Go big or go home.’ You can’t have lights from Menards,” she said. “Once you get past that, there’s a certain tranquility. I want people to be comfortable here, I want people to feel like home.”

Pending final inspection, Eris could open within the next week or two.

Read complete story at Chicago Sun-Times.