Managing partner Josh Deth is no stranger to the brew kettle, the kitchen or our neighborhood, Logan Square. After spending several years as brewer for Goose Island Beer Co. and dreaming of opening his own brewery some day, he decided to open Handlebar in 2003 with his wife Krista and cycling friends Todd, Karen, Jim and Sherry. After tinkering with homebrewing during college, Josh landed his first professional brewing job within a week of moving to Chicago in 1995 at the now-defunct Golden Prairie Brewing Co. at 2536 N. Elston Ave. Golden Prairie was the last brewery to operate in the Logan Square area and epitomized the shoestring startup brewery operation during the heyday of the craft beer craze. What it lacked in size (3 barrel brewhouse) it made up for in the heart and soul of owner Ted Furman. As a novice, Josh dutifully cleaned kegs and scrubbed tanks that held such innovative beers as Maple Stout, Honey Ginger and Buckwheat Ale, which were perhaps just a bit before their time. From 2005-2007, Josh worked as Executive Director of Logan Square Chamber of Commerce, working to promote local businesses and manage the Logan Square Farmers Market.