Rainbow Cone Beer Flight Brewing In Beverly

CHICAGO, IL — The two breweries that serve the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood have teamed to create the newest beer that, based on its name, is sure to become an immediate neighborhood favorite. The Open Outcry Brewing Company and Horse Thief Hollow are working on making a "Rainbow Cone" flight beer to release later this month during Illinois Craft Beer Week. The flight beer, which will include four separate beers made based on the flavors of the iconic Original Rainbow Cone ice cream from down the street, is the result of collaboration between beer makers at both Western Avenue breweries.

Social media posts from both breweries in recent weeks have hinted at a "secret" that, once revealed, would be epic. And while no one has tasted the actual beer yet, a "Rainbow Cone" beer brewed in Beverly is already music to the ears.

"We've been keeping this a secret from everyone," said Lindsay Landeen, general manager at Open Outcry Brewing at 109th and Western. "We have no idea how it leaked, but it has."

Landeen said brewers at Open Outcry and Horse Thief have been working on creating the "Palmer House," "Chocolate Strawberry," "Pistachio" and "Orange Sherbet" beers. They will be four separate beers that when tasted together will create a "Rainbow Cone Flight."

John Brand, owner of Open Outcry, said the new beers are a way to "pay homage" to a neighborhood institution like Rainbow Cone.

"When (Horse Thief Hollow owner) Neil (Byers) and I were talking about doing this, part of the motive was to do something that the neighborhood would think would be fun and pay homage to a South Side institution," Brand said.

An event to mark the release of the beer on Tuesday, May 22 is still in the works, Brand said.

"Rainbow Cone has served this generation for decades," he said. "We thought it would be really fun to pay homage to them and create a fun event for the neighborhood to get out on a Tuesday night and hope every one enjoys the beers."

"I really hope the neighborhood gets excited about this. Hopefully the weather will be nice and people can take advantage of the new bike sharing program the neighborhood has by using these bikes to get to Open Outcry Brewing or Horse Thief Hollow."

The beer flight project is moving forward with the approval of Rainbow Cone. But despite the subtle hints, the majority of the community was kept out of the loop on the specifics until the news leaked Wednesday morning.

"I didn't even tell my husband," Landeen said. "We had a poster made a couple of days ago, so I'm guessing someone may have come across that."

With brewery-goers given an option for a "flight beer" - one that includes 4 oz. of four different beers, the Rainbow Cone flight is created when customers fill up their four separate glasses with each of the different beers that are part of the flight.

The Rainbow Cone flight beer is expected to be released as part of Illinois Craft Beer Week on Tuesday, May 22 at both breweries. Illinois Craft Beer Week runs from May 18-25.

"Both breweries have been working together on this and we are all very excited," Landeen said.

Photo courtesy of Open Outcry Brewing / Horse Thief Hollow