Big Chief Brewing will be opening soon as Horsham’s first brewery. The brewery will be located at 193 Easton Road in Horsham and is expected to open later this year.
We recently spoke with owner and brewer Mark Dashner to get all the details for beer fans. We first learned that Mark is Native American, specifically from the Chippewa nation, and that his dad was on the Bad River Reservation in Wisconsin. He plans to incorporate his heritage into a lot at the brewery, read further to see how!
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Read our conversation with Mark below, and stay tuned for the opening!
BIPA: What stage are you currently in?
Mark: We have all licenses and I am starting to brew now. I am targeting mid-May for a grand opening. I would say before Memorial Day we will be open!
BIPA: How did you become initially interested in craft beer?
Mark: I have had many jobs over the years, but have been a homebrewer for 20+ years.
BIPA: How can the community support you?
Mark: Right now, I would ask people to follow us on Facebook, and also check out our website. I have merchandise coming soon, which will include branded glassware.
BIPA: What styles of beers will you focus on?
Mark: I have a core set of 4-5 flagship beers that I will always try to have on. These will be themed after the Big Chief name. Many of the offerings will be seasonal, such as Saisons and Heferweizens in the warmer months, and oak-aged imperial stouts and darker beers in the winter.
I personally gravitate towards sour and wild ales with Brettanomyces. I will also be making some seltzers and a variety of other styles.
We have 8 taps and will open most likely with 4-6, possibly with a few guest taps.
BIPA: Can you describe the space you are opening?
Mark: The building I am opening in originally was a house from the early 1900s, and I knew I wanted it once I saw it.
I currently have a 1BBL brewhouse, 2 one-barrel fermenters, and a 2 barrel fermenter coming in, I will be double-batching. Eventually, there are plans to upgrade to a 10BBL brewhouse.
The inside of the building will be Native American-themed, with more of a “homey” feel. There is a fireplace, sofas, and chairs, and will be very inviting. I will also have pictures of Native American scenes as well. There will be seating on both floors, separated by rooms (like in a house) and many games for people to play. I will be able to have around 40 people inside (depending on COVID restrictions).
Eventually, by summer there will be some outdoor seating with 6-10 benches. We will be dog-friendly, and I am working on the possibility of having a dog park on-site.
BIPA: Will there be food offered?
Mark: We will not be offering food, but instead partnering with many of the awesome local food trucks.
Make sure to follow Big Chief Brewing on Facebook for more updates as they become available. We will update as well once Big Chief has a grand opening date.
