A Father & Son Passion for Truly Remarkable Beer
Just regular guys, Robert and Patrick Jensen knew what they liked - really smooth, authentic premium craft beers. Deciding how and where to craft their beer was just the beginning.
First they selected a unique spot to brew. The state-of-the-art Argus Brewery is located in Chicago on the second floor of the Joseph E. Schlitz distribution stables at 113th and Front Avenue, which was built in the early 1900’s. Two large terra cotta horse heads on the parapet still identify this unusual building which once housed the Schlitz horse teams and carriages.
To create truly remarkable beers, Robert and Patrick relied on their family’s more than 100 years experience in the food and beverage industry as food technologists and chemical engineers. The father and son pair relished the challenge of developing and distributing locally brewed beers that authentically mimicked the best beers in the world.
Grant C. Johnston, Vice-President of Operations
Grant has been a full-time Brewmaster for over 20 years in the SF Bay Area and in London, England. During that time, he won 17 medals at the Great American Beer Festival held annually in Denver, Colorado.
His brewing education is extensive, including brewing classes from the University of California Extension at Davis. He has attended classes from the Siebel Institute of Technology, the American Brewers Guild, and by the Lab Director from the University of Sunderland, England. He also trained in British cellaring techniques of traditional cask conditioned ales at the White Horse Pub at Parson's Green in London, England.
Grant is a 15-time judge of the Great American Beer Festival; a 6-time judge of the Great British Beer Festival; and a 5-time judge of the International World Beer Cup held in the USA. He has been a member of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas since 1991.
His other interests include baking, cooking, photography, music and travel. For more information on Grant, please review his impressive credentials here.
Joe Mengel, Vice-President of Sales
Joe is originally from Wisconsin, which has been the home to many famous breweries. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. For the past 30 years, Joe has worked in the retail food and drug industry, in store operations, human resources and training throughout the Chicago area. He also spent a great deal of this time in the retail alcohol beverage industry. Joe has also been very active in his neighborhood home owner's association, serving as director and president. Joe's other interests include traveling, sports, home improvements, trivia and spending time with family. Joe and his family reside in Naperville.
