Horse Thief Hollow Brewery - Craft Beer in Chicago, Illinois

📜 Short History:

Horse Thief Hollow Brewery is a craft brewery and restaurant located in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The brewery was established by Neil Byers who, after years of home brewing, decided to open his own brewery.

The name "Horse Thief Hollow" is a nod to the history of the Beverly neighborhood. In the 19th century, the area was known as a passageway for horse thieves, who would reportedly steal horses and then hide in the dense forest that once covered the area.

Neil Byers opened Horse Thief Hollow Brewery in 2013. The brewery is located at 10426 S. Western Avenue, a building that was previously a carpet store. Byers renovated the 6,000-square-foot space to house the brewery and a 99-seat restaurant.

Since its opening, Horse Thief Hollow has gained recognition for its craft beers. The brewery has won several awards, including a silver medal at the 2014 World Beer Cup for its Cheval Deux, a French-style brown ale, and a gold medal at the 2016 World Beer Cup for its Prunckle Dunkle, a German-style dark wheat beer.

Horse Thief Hollow Brewery is known for its commitment to the local community. It regularly hosts local art exhibits and live music performances, and it participates in community events. The brewery also emphasizes sustainability, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and recycling its spent grain by donating it to local farms for animal feed.