Brewery, taproom in Huntley to offer music, beer on new outdoor patio this summer

Sew Hop'd, a microbrewery and taproom located off Route 47 in Huntley, will move forward with plans to open a new outdoor patio in its southern parking lot to offer live music, food and beer all summer long.

The Huntley Village Board voted unanimously Thursday evening to approve the necessary amendments to the brewery's liquor license so it can offer food and alcoholic beverages in the new area.

The plan presented to village trustees requested permission to fence off a large portion of the brewery's southern parking lot while in use 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Sunday, according to the plan included in the agenda for Thursday's meeting.

When the patio is not in use, the fencing would be pushed to take up a smaller portion of the parking lot to allow for better traffic flow across the parking lot on Mondays, when the brewery is closed, and on Tuesday through Thursday before 5 p.m., according to the plan.

The plan also includes the addition of speed bumps to that portion of the lot and moves a few handicap parking spaces from the southern lot to the parking lot on the east side of the building.

Sew Hop'd already has a smaller patio closer to the building, but the new, larger patio will allow more beer-lovers to enjoy the newest beers on tap while soaking up some summer sun. The new space will also feature live entertainment, a representative of the brewery said Thursday.

In May 2020, Sew Hop'd Manager Katie Hofmann told the Northwest Herald the brewery relied on innovative ideas to weather the storm of the initial COVID-19 shutdowns, offering pickup services and partnering with local businesses and food trucks to stay afloat.

Huntley Village Trustee J.R. Westberg spoke out in support of the brewery's hard work Thursday, saying they always do a great job and wishing them the best of luck with their plans to expand the space.