Taproom boom: Faced with slowing sales growth, Chicago's craft brewers try out a new model

Thirsty commuters stepped off the train in Evanston on a recent Friday evening and made a beeline for Sketchbook Brewing, a cozy 25-seat taproom that opened last year. Some bought beer to lug home; other loyal denizens bellied up to the bar. Welcome to the taproom boom. The amount of beer downed...