Belleville microbrewery pushes for a summer opening. Here’s what to expect
At Shoehorn Brewing, the “concept is basically no limitations” where the beer is concerned, according to co-owner Mike Johnson.
And in Belleville’s newest microbrewery are three different brewers who like to make different styles of beer.
The beer-brewing trio consists of experienced homebrewers Johnson, Corina Mager (rhymes with “lager”) and co-owner Jeremy Hall, who also owns Down the Hall Homebrew.
Hall and his wife, Susan Hall, opened Down the Hall Homebrew in summer 2019 when they bought the former Happy Hop Homebrew & Gourmet at 122 E. Main St. in downtown Belleville.
Shoehorn Brewing came to be in late 2020 after Jeremy Hall talked about expanding the business by adding a small brewery. With Johnson and Mager on board, they had to “shoehorn” the new brewing operation into what little space there was at the back of the shop.
Before long, it was apparent that a larger space was needed, and they started looking in May 2021.
They found their new space nearby at 225 E. Main St.
The property was leased and the work started in November.
The construction and upgrades are documented through regular posts with photos and videos on the Shoehorn Brewing Facebook page. (It’s totally worth a look.)
By late January, Down the Hall Homebrew was settled in its new digs at the front of the building and open for business. Shoehorn Brewing purchased the building in late February.
Like many of the older buildings I’ve written about (and am fond of), this one has a lot of the original brick, much of it exposed.
Johnson said that “quite a bit of tuckpointing” was done throughout the building.
He went on to say that part of the brick east wall will be removed (to my initial horror) to make way for a garage door, allowing for more natural light and direct access to the open space next door.
Part of the ceiling is open, revealing part of the building’s rafters. They plan to keep it like this if they can.
The existing overhead fluorescent lighting will eventually be replaced with new fixtures.
The back half of the building looks rather spacious, but it won’t for very long.
Between the homebrew shop and the brewery, brand new restrooms are being installed.
There will be a new beer hall with bar seating and pendant lights. Additional seating will be available outside on the front patio.
At the back of the building is the brewery. The shiny new brewing and fermenting equipment is already in place. (It looks so fancy!)
A walk-in cooler is on its way and will be assembled onsite.
“It’s been a very long haul trying to get everything done,” said Johnson.
He said they’re pushing for a mid-July opening, but that realistically, they are looking at an August opening.
While Shoehorn Brewing continues a partnership with Down the Hall Homebrew, they’re opening the brewery for their own use.
The seven-barrel facility will brew different types of beer, including sours (Hall’s passion), lagers (Mager’s specialty) and classic styles with the occasional twist (courtesy of Johnson).
They are “super excited to share our beers,” according to Johnson.
As far as food goes, it’s BYO eats.
Shoehorn Brewing is already making a name for itself through participation in area beer festivals and other events, including the Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival earlier this month.
The events they attend are about getting feedback on their beers, said Johnson.
It’s not about competing against other breweries. They just want to make good beer, he said.
Down the Hall Homebrew and Shoehorn Brewing are located at 225 E. Main St. in Belleville.
Down the Hall is currently open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Additional hours are available by appointment. For details, call 618-277-2550, visit downthehallhomebrew.com or find them on Facebook.
For more info and updates about Shoehorn Brewing, visit facebook.com/ShoehornBrewing. A new website at shoehornbrewing.com is coming soon.
This story was originally published June 23, 2022 at 3:50 PM.
