What happens when two neighbors share a passion for craft beer? In the case of Mark Van der Bleek and Jim Helton, the answer is Red Silo—a microbrewery that has become a destination in Cookeville’s Westside.
Jim began brewing beer as a hobby in 1999 after his wife gifted him a homebrew kit. In 2006, Jim and Mark moved into houses just three doors down from one another and quickly bonded over having kids the same age, maintaining large personal gardens, and—unsurprisingly—beer.
“I showed Mark my brewing system, and being a chemical engineer, he was immediately intrigued,” Jim recalled.
By 2010, the two began brewing together, eventually converting Mark’s basement into a makeshift brewery. They spent years experimenting with recipes until an opportunity arose in 2014 to pour their beer as homebrewers at the popular PBS event Blues and Brews. The response was overwhelmingly positive, prompting them to explore what it would take to sell beer commercially at the local, state, and federal levels.
After years of logistical meetings and red tape, Mark and Jim successfully secured an amendment to local ordinances allowing them to sell and serve beer without also serving food. The wheels were officially in motion.
Just two years later, the duo secured a lease for the Red Silo location on Cookeville’s Westside. In a stroke of luck, a used professional brewing system became available in California. Mark and Jim hauled it back to Cookeville using two tractor trailers. After construction and mastering the new system, Red Silo officially opened its doors in September 2016, becoming the first tasting room in the entire Upper Cumberland.
The grind was just beginning.
For nearly five years, Mark and Jim worked more than 80 hours a week, juggling their full-time jobs alongside running Red Silo. “We couldn’t quit our day jobs, so we had a lot of people volunteering for tips and free beer,” Jim said. “Our wives worked nonstop—and so did we.”
Mark added, “Our wives, Julie and Karen, decorated everything inside the Silo and made it such an inviting space. We truly couldn’t have done any of this without them.”
In 2019, Mark and Jim purchased the Red Silo building, along with the connected Asian grocery store. This allowed them to expand both the tasting room and outdoor space, which now spans an entire block on the Westside.
Beyond the taproom, Red Silo has become deeply involved in community giving. The brewery regularly participates in charitable events throughout the Upper Cumberland, including Habitat for Humanity’s Cooking on the Square, Packs for Pints school supply drives, Cookeville/Putnam County Animal Shelter fundraisers, and The Human Fund through proceeds from their annual Redstock festival. They are also frequent participants in beer festivals across surrounding counties.
“If there’s a beer festival and it has a charity aspect, we’re involved,” Mark said.
Their dedication and craftsmanship have earned major recognition. Red Silo was crowned top brewer at the Nashville Predators Craft Beer Festivals in 2018, 2019, and 2022. “There were more than 70 brewers there, so that was a huge achievement for us,” Mark noted.
Red Silo has played a pivotal role in revitalizing Cookeville’s Westside. Since opening, several bars, restaurants, and shops have followed, transforming the area into a popular nightlife and community hub.
As for what’s next, Mark and Jim have no plans of slowing down. Their goals include expanding to seven days a week, adding a rooftop space, and eventually launching their own distribution arm to make Red Silo a brewery recognized across the state.
They’re well on their way.
-written by Chelsea Dartez, photos by Katelyn Steakley
