Double Clutch Brewery 2024: Craft High-Quality Beers

DeliveryRank interviews Scott Frank, the head brewer at Double Clutch Brewing Company. Scott brings a passion for crafting high-quality beers using the finest ingredients and state-of-the-art techniques. Under his leadership, the brewery has become a cornerstone of Evanston's vibrant community, offering a diverse selection of authentic, expertly crafted brews. Scott’s commitment to innovation ensures that Double Clutch’s offerings remain fresh, unique, and reflective of the brewery's dedication to both exceptional beer and an engaging customer experience.

Double Clutch Brewing Company is known for both its craft beer and unique atmosphere, including the collection of rare vintage cars. How did the concept of combining these two elements come about, and how do they complement each other in enhancing the overall experience for your customers? 

The concept originated from a shared passion for cars and craft beer among Mike Chookaszian, a Partner at Vandalay Brands, and Double Clutch’s Brewmaster, Scott Frank. This unique combination transforms the brewery into an immersive space that goes beyond being just a place to enjoy craft beer. Our goal is to always provide a memorable experience for our customers, and blending the two, along with being a full-service restaurant, created an engaging and exciting space for people with all different interests. 

Your brewery offers a wide variety of authentic beers crafted on-site using state-of-the-art techniques. What is your process for developing new beer recipes, and how do you decide which styles to introduce to your seasonal or permanent lineup? 

As a brewery specializing in German-style beers, German culture has a heavy influence on our lineup. Deciding which styles to introduce involves a balance of honoring the German classics, like our award-winning Altbier, while also embracing new, seasonal varieties that reflect the evolving tastes of our community. 

Community seems to be an important aspect of Double Clutch Brewing Company, with its focus on being a gathering spot for locals. How do you foster a sense of connection within the Evanston neighborhood, and what role do events like tours, tastings, and private celebrations play in creating this atmosphere? 

Community is at the heart of what we do. We create connections by hosting diverse events and experiences that bring Evanston and surrounding neighborhoods together, whether it’s brewery tours, tastings, live music, or game nights. Our space is a welcoming spot where friends can meet up and where private celebrations feel special. Events and celebrations are a great way for us to build real relationships with our guests. It’s what makes Double Clutch more than just a place to grab a beer—it’s a go-to community hangout. 

With an emphasis on carefully curated food alongside your beer offerings, how do you approach the pairing of food and beer to ensure an exciting culinary journey for your patrons? Are there any signature pairings you recommend? 

Pairing food and beer is something we’re passionate about, and our beers actually inspire many of our menu items. We work closely with our culinary team to create dishes that highlight the unique flavors of each beer, and sometimes even incorporate our beer directly into recipes. For example, the “Clutch Curds” are made using a bier-batter that incorporates our Kölsch. 

Sustainability and employee well-being are highlighted by the 3% charge added to support health insurance and benefits for your staff. What inspired this initiative, and how do you think it impacts both your employees and the overall dining experience at Double Clutch Brewing? 

At Double Clutch Brewing, supporting our team is a top priority. The optional 3% surcharge allows us to provide benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement benefits for our hardworking staff without implementing significant increases in our menu prices. It’s important to us that our employees feel valued and taken care of, which helps create a better experience for everyone who visits.

If you would like to find out more about Double Clutch Brewery, please visit https://www.doubleclutchbrewing.com/