CHICAGO – Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co. announces the installation of seven new brite tanks, doubling the Chicago brewpubs capacity to 600 barrels a year. The move coincides with Horse Thief’s plan to distribute its beer throughout the Chicago area in late 2016.
Following the installation of the new equipment, Horse Thief’s owner Neil Byers sold his old tanks to neighboring craft brewery, Open Outcry Brewing Co., which plans to open four blocks away in the spring of 2017. Byers and Open Outcry Brewing Co. owner John Brand are hoping to create a new craft beer destination in Beverly, located on Chicago’s southwest side.
“I don’t really see us as competitors, both John and I agree it’s always better to have more craft beer options in the neighborhood,” said Byers. “I think what we’re creating here is a microcosm of craft beer, Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood is going to be a craft beer destination,” adds Byers.
Horse Thief opened in 2013 making it the first craft brewpub on Chicago’s south side. In 2014, Byers and Brewmaster David Williams were twice awarded for their beers, first at the World Beer Cup and later at the Great American Beer Festival.
In 2015 Byers was named the 2015 Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award winner. The annual award is presented to a fast-growing local business with strong philanthropic and civic values. Neil beat out 70 other applicants for the award.