This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by Tom White.
It’s been a busy couple weeks here at The Hop Review and so we have a lot of news to catch up on! In this week’s Hoplinks, expansion rules the day as two breweries seek to up production and cash in on the craft beer craze. In other news, keep on reading for news on an upcoming Chicago brewpub, your entertainment for the week, and an update on Michigan’s only organic brewery.
Louisville’s Against the Grain is expanding to a larger facility which will increase production by more than 400%. They will also add barrel aging capacity and have future plans for tasting room.
Speaking of expansion, Naperville’s Solemn Oath Brewery plans to double it’s production by the end of the year. Look for SOB cans on Chicago store shelves as early as November. Continuing that trend, Seattle Cider Company is expanding their distribution into Illinois. The West Coast Cidery will soon ship bombers, cans and kegs to the Midwest.
White Sox’s legend Frank Thomas is opening his own brewpub in Chicago’s Berwyn neighborhood. Big Hurt Brewhouse hopes to be open in time for the Bears home opener in early September.
Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out Old Irving Park for the Beer & BBQ Challenge on Saturday. All of the proceeds will benefit St. Viator Parish & School in Old Irving Park and attendees include Haymarket, DryHop, Begyle, Solemn Oath, Half Acre, Revolution, and others.
Dark Horse, one of our favorite Michigan breweries, saw the premier of their new History Channel show this week. If you tuned in, let us know what you thought!
Grand Rapids Brewing Company maintains their title as the only organic brewery in the state of Michigan. The brewery ungoes an indepth evaluation by the USDA once per year and says that the only thing not organic in their beer is the yeast.