Hop Butcher For The World, a Chicagoland-based brewing company founded in 2014 and known for its hop-forward approach to IPAs and fresh-to-retail distribution strategy, opened its first public taproom on Nov. 10 in the former Half Acre Beer Co. facility at 4257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.
Hop Butcher purchased the building and equipment from Half Acre in 2021. Since the purchase, Hop Butcher’s team has worked to secure permitting and transition into the space. Its goal with renovations was to deliver on a unique, branded experience that the brewery’s fans expect, says co-owner Jeremiah Zimmer.
“Half Acre built a beautiful space for drinkers to enjoy beer, so a lot of the foundation was in place. Our goal upon taking over the space was to inject a giant dose of who we are as a brewery,” Zimmer says. “Some updates act as a nod to our predecessors’ 10-year tenure in the space, while others aim to showcase the unique spirit of Hop Butcher and what we stand for as a brewery.”
In addition to the taproom, the 13,000-sq-ft facility includes a separate retail storefront where fans can purchase merchandise and beer to-go, as well as a fully functional production brewery supplying most of the beer available in the taproom and attached retail space. Hop Butcher also operates a larger-scale production brewery in Bedford Park, Ill. Its Lincoln Avenue brewery and taproom will allow Hop Butcher’s brewers to pilot new recipes and test smaller-batch beers before taking them into retail distribution.
“We are excited to dive into new styles and experimentation, something we previously didn’t have the capability to do,” says Hop Butcher Cofounder Jude La Rose. “Hoppy lagers, experimental Belgian beers, hybrid styles — you name it. Now, we can kick out small batches and get real-time feedback from our most-devoted fans in our own taproom, who will help determine which beers deserve a broader audience.”
Hop Butcher For The World will continue to brew and self-distribute its beer to better craft beer retailers throughout Chicagoland — as it has since 2015.
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