One of my favorite out of town breweries, Ballast Point, is the latest California-based beer maker to come to Chicago.  They announced plans to build a facility in the Fulton Market neighborhood.

Beer, it seems, makes the world go ’round.  And now, there are some numbers to back that statement up.

The Chicagoland area, according to data from a research firm called CoStar, has the most breweries in the nation with just over 200.  And according to this study, breweries seemingly are the anchor for a growing housing market.  In other words, where local craft brewing is happening, so booms the housing market.

This mean that young people don’t just look at shopping, schools, and transportation in neighborhoods and cities — they want BEER from their ‘hood just as much.

Chicagoland beer lovers, you never let me down.  I raise a toast to you.  — [eric]