A lawyer, two accountants and a graphic designer walk into a … Tell us if you have heard this story before. If not, you have now.
Banging Gavel Brews is the brainchild of attorney Jim Richert, accountants Kyle O’Conner and Ed Richert, and graphic designer Beckie (Richert) O’Connor.
Banging Gavel, the cool name they gave their Tinley Park, Illinois brewery, was meant to be a catchy, bold and loud way to further their dream of creating a brewery people wanted to be a part of. If you are into German facts and statistics, its BGB, also stands for the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches GesetzBuch).
In 2013, after becoming interested in the craft beer world, Jim Richert decided to take his shot. He and his brother, Ed, signed up for a beer class, eventually creating their first homebrew, a Belgian Tripel they branded “Justice Brewing.” In 2014, the brothers formed Banging Gavel Brews and began setting the foundation for the brand, including beer names and marketing ideas. By the end of the year, they packaged their first beer, Red Handed, an Irish Style Red Ale they brewed until 2021.
It was until spring 2016 when Jim and Ed found the Karl Vogt House, a historic landmark building in downtown Tinley Park. Partnering with contractors and an architecture firm, they preserved the historic site while building the brewpub in fall 2023. Today, the Vogt House is home to Banging Gavel and includes a brewery, taproom and restaurant—all while restoring the space to its 1865 beginnings. That includes an upstairs parlor reminiscent of a judge’s chambers and classic drawing rooms from the 1800s. The brewery is in the basement.
To get an inside look at the Banging Gavel Brews’ brand, we sat down with co-owner and Brand Marketing Director Beckie O’Conner and Ramiro Trevino, VP of Construction at Urban Innovations.
Give us a snapshot of today’s craft brew market from your perspective. What’s likely to happen next?
Beckie O’Connor: The craft beer market is evolving for sure. Craft beer enthusiasts’ palates are changing and therefore so are the beer styles we as breweries introduce. We can see that in general customers are more health conscious and looking for lower ABV beverages.
At Banging Gavel Brews, we are constantly exploring flavors, ingredients and new innovative ways of working with hops and yeast while following brewing methods that will satisfy the traditionalists as well as offer other types of beverages for patrons from all walks of life to enjoy. We have 16 taps that include a bunch of our own brews ranging between 4%-9% ABV as well as 6 wine styles, a few craft seltzers on tap and a handful of non-alcoholic options for those who want something with flavor without the effects.
What trends are defining the space?
O’Connor: In today’s environment, eating out is an experience, not an everyday occurrence. In the craft beer industry specifically, the biggest trend we see is that people are drinking less and looking for healthier options when they eat out. We aim to have a menu that caters to that desire.
We work in a ventless kitchen environment, so we don’t have grease byproduct. Our meats and produce are fresh from local farms and we make most everything from scratch. The majority of our beers are lighter with some that have higher ABVs for those with that preference.
What’s your story from a brand perspective? Walk us through your branding strategy.
O’Connor: Our brand is multi-layered, with Banging Gavel Brews drawing inspiration from the legal profession—a nod to our president, Jim Richert, who is a practicing lawyer. Our beers are crafted with the same care and precision as a well-considered verdict, named with legal terms in mind. We aim to create a welcoming space where people can enjoy great beer and good company.
The Vogt House brand, on the other hand, is rooted in history and community. Housed in the historic Vogt Building, we blend tradition with innovation to offer memorable experiences through craft beer, delicious food, and vibrant events. We aim to honor the building’s rich past while bringing people together to make new memories. The Vogt House is a place where the past meets the present, making it a unique destination in Tinley Park.
What’s the biggest issue today related to the marketing/sales side of the craft beer business today?
O’Connor: With increased costs, competition and stagnant demand, a new brewery relying heavily on distribution is fighting an uphill battle. With shelf space in short supply and more breweries than ever before this isn’t an area we are choosing to focus on.
We are focused on providing our guests unique experiences, personal connections and great experiences. We are working with the other local breweries in our village to make Tinley Park a craft beer destination.
“Our brewpub and taproom are designed to evoke a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere, reminiscent of historic Brunswick bars from the early 1900s. We want our taproom to feel like a home away from home.” — Ramiro Trevino, VP of Construction, Urban Innovations
What is the secret to creating a branding story that consumers can buy into?
O’Connor: It’s all about involving our guests in the story. People are naturally curious about the history of The Vogt House and the inspiration behind our beers. We love sharing the stories, legends, and truths we’ve unearthed over the years. Through extensive research and a deep dive into the building’s Italianate Style from the 1860s, our restoration efforts—along with the expertise of our architects at Altus Works and our construction team at Urban Innovation—allowed us to reintroduce the building’s original magnitude while incorporating modern amenities.
The fusion of old and new has become a focal point of the experience. The local community’s anticipation and excitement have been pivotal, creating a groundswell of support when we opened. We love that our guests are as excited to share our story as we are.
What is the one thing that every craft beer brand should be doing in the way of marketing?
O’Connor: Craft beer brands should focus on creating unique experiences and promoting them through various channels to build brand awareness and an engaged audience. It’s essential to lean into your unique story and emphasize what sets you apart. We aim to create deeper connections with each guest, consistently providing high-quality craft beer, cocktails, food and service. Transparency about our journey and pride in what we’ve created for the community are central to our marketing efforts.
What were some of the challenges in working on this historic building?
Ramiro Trevino: One of the biggest challenges was not knowing what we would uncover as we progressed with the project. From the very beginning uncovering non marked walls, floor level issues, or miscellaneous tanks made the project challenging but also rewarding. The unknowns pushed the UI team to work closely together with the design team and the B&G ownership to make quick and informative decisions to keep the project moving forward.
The requirements when working with historic preservation also are challenging. The sub pool becomes limited for obvious reasons and some of the “normal” processes that you wouldn’t think of currently become not so normal. A great example of this would be the porch spindle installation. Where the installation of the spindles would usually be vertical in this instance had to be flipped to match the existing conditions along with the height of the rails.
What prior experiences did the Urban team pull from to help with this build?
Trevino: Urban Innovations previously built out 1090 brewery in Glenview and worked on all the tank and process piping installation for Dovetail Brewery in the Ravenswood neighborhood in Chicago. Previous restaurant build outs and experience in working in some of Chicago’s most historic buildings provided us with the right experience to take this project on.
What was unique about working with the B&G team?
Trevino: From the beginning the Banging Gavel team had their vision of what they wanted the brewery to be. Having this vision and determination made product selections, changes in scope and dealing with the unknowns that came up during the project a lot easier.
What do you see as some of your biggest opportunities moving ahead?
O’Connor: As a 10-year-old brand and a new player with a brick-and-mortar presence, our goal is to build on what we’ve established and connect with every guest who walks through our doors. Success comes from consistently delivering excellent service and quality products.
Our offerings are the fuel that will propel our brand to new heights. We focus on our customers, building on that base through programs designed to deepen our relationships with them.
How does your taproom space integrate into your branding/marketing strategies?
O’Connor: Our brewpub and taproom are designed to evoke a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere, reminiscent of historic Brunswick bars from the early 1900s. We want our taproom to feel like a home away from home, offering a unique experience that transports guests back in time to 1865. The space is a central part of our branding, enhancing the overall experience we provide.
What are some of the adjustments you made with/to your business model surrounding the recent state of events?
O’Connor: How far back do you want to go? When we started in 2014, our initial focus was on distribution. However, as the market evolved, we shifted to an experiential brewpub model.
The Vogt House experience is about more than just beer—it’s about the food, craft cocktails and the overall ambiance. Our beer, brewed on-site, remains the main attraction, but our shareable plates, food menu, and cocktails complement the experience. We are Downtown Tinley Park’s “Brewery on the Block” where guests can enjoy great beer, food and service in a unique setting.
Sitting down with… Gavel Brews’ O’Connor
What’s the biggest item on your to-do list right now?
We’re working on establishing a membership program to give our guests an opportunity to be more involved in our future developments. This includes access to special beer releases, craft cocktails, featured wines, and other exclusive perks. Strengthening our ties with existing guests and reaching new audiences is a key priority as we position ourselves as a destination brewery.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Giving back through creating experiences is incredibly rewarding. As co-owner and Brand Marketing Director, I am honored to have the authority to make decisions that positively impact our community. I actively cultivate charity partnerships, enabling us to support local and global initiatives that align with our values.
Over the years, I’ve extended my support to numerous groups, each experience reinforcing the importance of giving back to the community.
What was the best advice you ever received?
The details matter. Always listen and retain what people say about what they like and what matters most to them. Surprising them with something in line with the things they love will only make you more connected.
What’s the best thing a customer ever said to you?
A customer left a 5-star review saying, “We recently had a private five-course dinner at BGB, and it was honestly on par with Michelin-rated restaurants I’ve visited! The food was unique, full of a variety of flavors, and each dish was paired with a custom drink. The team reminded me of the show The Bear—all very talented, and the food is crafted with care. Get to Banging Gavel, and you will enjoy your experience!” That review was pretty cool.
What is your favorite brand story?
I admire Goose Island Brewery and aspire to be as well-known as they are. I also love the Nordstrom brand for how they position their quality products, create exclusive events for their Nordy customers, and make it more than just a shopping experience. My favorite brand evolution is Restoration Hardware; they’ve done an excellent job combining the two with their restaurants and showroom experience.
I may not know their backstory much, but what I’ve experienced at a few of their newer showrooms is amazing. Especially their location in Indianapolis—the grounds and what they did with an estate are breathtaking. The Indianapolis showroom, set in a stunning historic estate, seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a luxurious and immersive experience that beautifully showcases their home furnishings and design concepts.
Interview by Michael J. Pallerino
Michael J. Pallerino is an award-winning writer and editor. Along with producing a number of business, news and sports stories for a number of local and national publications, he has executed a number of content strategy initiatives across myriad communication channels. Over the past 30-plus years, he has won numerous awards, including the Jesse H. Neal Editorial Achievement Award, recognized as the Pulitzer Prize for business-to-business magazines. As an editor in the sports product industry, his monthly columns generated national attention from USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, ESPN Magazine, Sports Business Journal and BusinessWeek, among others. One of the magazines he co-founded, SportingKid, serves as the official publication of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS). He also served as a communications specialist for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, working closely with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) during the 1996 Olympic Games.