An Independent Craft Brewery, was born, in 2013, on the near west side of Chicago on Hubbard Street (near Hubbard’s Cave), with the quest of making fine Belgian inspired ales for all beer lovers.   

Founded by architect, former Marine, and Chicago native, Jerry Nelson, the brewery has since become a family operation when Jerry’s brother, Dave and his wife Jen joined in. We are fortunate to have a fabulous team of dedicated brewery professionals to work with every day.

What does it mean? Did we mention Jerry did an architecture abroad program in Versailles, France. Une Année, meaning “One Year” in French, began with a seasonal rotation of annual Belgian beers, which have since become weekly and bi-weekly releases. Our first offering, “Maya”, was made for the adults at Jerry’s daughter’s first birthday party, her une année.  

Une Année has expanded it’s offerings over the years with an emphasis on fruited and unfruited American Wild Ales (read: Sour Beers).  In 2017, the brewery moved to neighboring Chicago suburb, Niles, IL, and expanded to include a taproom.  In 2020, just as a Global Pandemic started, the taproom was moved to our current space with the additional of a kitchen specializing in BBQ.  The new brewery allows everyone to get home quicker for quality time with the kids. The working brewery in the background lends a hand to creating a laid back atmosphere where you can sit back and enjoy some of your favorite craft beers on tap.  The new bigger taproom and brewery is in Niles, but across the street from Chicago.

Hubbard's Cave

In 2015, Hubbard’s Cave was developed as an alternative to our Belgian Style Ales. Producing American Style ales, primarily imperial stouts and Hubbard’s Cave signature Fresh IIPAs, Hubbard’s Cave is a refreshing addition to the Une Année Family. Named after the Chicago Hubbard Street traffic tunnel on Interstate 90/94, next to where the brewery was born, Hubbard’s Cave has quickly grown to produce some of our most popular offerings.