Pilot Project Brewing Appoints Kyle Hodges as Director of Business Development

CHICAGO (June 2025) – Pilot Project Brewing, the country’s first-of-its-kind beverage incubator, today announces Kyle Hodges as Director of Business Development. The announcement follows a period of growth for Pilot Project, including the company’s recent launch of Brutalist Brewing, the first cooperatively owned and operated brewery in Chicago, and the impending opening of its location in Wrigleyville, Chicago. Pilot Project has plans to launch three additional brands in 2025. 

Hodges spent more than a decade at Chicago-based Dark Matter Coffee as its director of new business development and partnerships. During his time with Dark Matter, Hodges secured brand partnerships with the Chicago Bulls, Honda, and Netflix; launched artist-driven campaigns; and managed ongoing collaborations with breweries, liquor brands, and food companies.

“Pilot Project is at a turning point in our growth,” said Pilot Project co-founder and CEO Dan Abel. “In some ways, it’s really just the beginning for us. We created this role with nationwide expansion and the need to mature our incubator and accelerator model in mind. Kyle’s expertise will help us build upon our mission of scaling and supporting talented brewers and beverage makers.” 

As Pilot Project’s first-ever director of business development, Hodges will focus on further developing the brand’s beverage incubation program, including launching new alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands; introducing strategic and meaningful partnerships in the community and beyond; and driving new business growth to build upon the success Pilot Project has achieved in its six years of business. 

When Pilot Project launched in Chicago in fall 2019, the brand employed 15 people and produced 500 barrels of product per year. Pilot Project now employs 130 people, produces roughly 75,000+ barrels annually and operates at a $16M run rate.

Pilot Project was created to help support talented brewers in an industry with exceptionally high barriers and, to-date, Pilot has launched 21 beverage brands (nine of which are women-led). This includes nationally recognized brands like female-founded Luna Bay Hard Kombucha and ROVM Hard Kombucha; Black-owned Funkytown Brewery; travel-inspired Brewer’s Kitchen; Indian-led Azadi Brewing; Donna's Pickle Beer; and more.