USA, IL: Hickory Creek Brewing Co planning soft opening this month

Gary Meyer, owner and head brewer at Hickory Creek Brewing Co. in Will County, plans to open its doors for a soft opening this month, with a grand opening in July, The Herald-News reported on June 4.

“I just want to make beer, sell beer and have fun with it,” Meyer said.

Meyer began brewing out of a 150-year-old former dairy barn on his property in 2016. During that time, he would invite his friends and neighbors over to sample several of his brews for $5 a cup, with all the profits being donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or the United States Submarine Veterans Inc.

“It was a way for me to figure out whether my beers were good enough to start a business,” Meyer said. “People were encouraging me, but the county wouldn’t let me run it from my home … and my wife still wanted to live there.”

Since retiring as a mechanical engineer at the Citgo Refinery in Lemont, Meyer moved out of the dairy barn and into a storefront space at 1005 W. Laraway Road. In a former life, the space was a wrestling practice facility Providence Catholic High School used.

Meyer said he credits President Jimmy Carter’s 1978 repeal of federal restrictions on homebrewing that allowed him to get into the practice. He experimented with recipes in the late 1980s to begin the learning process. It’s been a passion ever since.

“There was a place called Winemakers along North Avenue and Route 83 that would give lessons, and they would sell the equipment,” Meyer said. “So for a hundred bucks, I had all the equipment and enough ingredients to brew a batch of beer.”

Anticipation has been building for the opening from both the public and village officials.

Resident Tom Vancura, who said he has a taste for imported beer, stopped by the brewery and asked for a quick tour as Meyer finished installing a ceiling panel.

“I’m going to be one of your customers,” Vancura said as he introduced himself to Meyer. “I’m excited there’s going to be good beer close to my house.”

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann expressed his support and excitement for the brewery, as well.

“Here’s a different kind of business being built by a guy who lives here,” Baldermann said. “We as a community should put our money where our mouths are and support him.”

Hickory Creek Brewing won’t feature a kitchen or prepare its own food, but small snacks and food trucks will be available. Four beers will be featured during the initial release, including a Kolsch and a Roggenbier, a brew made with rye.

It will be the county’s 11th brewery.

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