BuckleDown Brewing

Brewery, Bar, Beer-to-go

8700 47th St
Lyons, Illinois, 60534-1626
United States

(708) 853-9580 | map
buckledownbrewing.com

Wednesday: 4:00pm-10:00pm
Thursday: 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday: 12:00pm - 11:00pm
Saturday: 12:00pm - 11:00pm
Sunday: 12:00am - 9:00pm
Monday - Tuesday: CLOSED
BEER STATS
Average:
3.82
Beers:
76
Ratings:
1,068
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.2
Reviews:
14
Ratings:
47
pDev:
9.76%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by cd34:
Photo of cd34
Rated by cd34 from Illinois

4.18/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4

May 01, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.1 by AmeriCanadian from Tennessee

Oct 16, 2022
 
Rated: 4.24 by FBarber from Illinois

Dec 07, 2020
 
Rated: 4.39 by Jinx989 from Illinois

Jul 11, 2020
 
Rated: 3.58 by TSFolke from Illinois

Dec 05, 2019
Photo of HabaJohn
Rated by HabaJohn from Illinois

3.54/5  rDev -15.7%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5
Very small place, not much happening here, all beers $6. Needs some decor, it has a kind of dirty warehouse feel.
Jun 10, 2018
 
Rated: 3.94 by SmokedEelBeer from Illinois

Jan 24, 2018
 
Rated: 3.93 by Eman17 from Illinois

Dec 14, 2017
Photo of Hopheadjeffery
Reviewed by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
Former machine shop turned into a brewery and taproom. Decent vibe with a bar and some communal tables. Quality of the beer was above average. Service was quick and friendly. Selection of ten different beers when I was there.
Oct 23, 2017
 
Rated: 4.2 by puftdank from Illinois

Apr 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.93 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Oct 03, 2016
Photo of GrumpyGas
Reviewed by GrumpyGas from Illinois

3.96/5  rDev -5.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
A little hole in the wall in west suburban Lyons, Illinois.
Bar seats about 10 people and another 30 or so can sit at communal picnic tables inside the former machine shop.
On nice days the overhead garage door is opened to make it seem bigger and to increase the view (of 47th street and a storage parking lot) Buckledown's own parking lot fits about 10 cars and street parking is not encouraged.
A couple of tv's and a large screen for movie nights. Fun place.
Strong line-up of beers and increasing. There are some barrels waiting around for something. I don't know if they are already aging, but I like and encourage the growth.
Servers are knowledgeable and friendly.
May 21, 2016
Photo of SWChi
Reviewed by SWChi from Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -8.8%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Stopped in during Chicago Craft Beer Week, had Painted Turtle and Shady Aftermath. Shady was great and Gil was awesome. He was friendly and very knowledgeable. Great atmosphere, bands weekly and we'll definitely be coming back.
May 21, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by kylehay2004 from Illinois

Apr 22, 2016
Photo of Beginner2
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois

4.44/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.75
We just missed the food truck, so had to drink our dinner (boo-hoo.)
A 1920s engineered truss warehouse has been converted to a brewhouse in a close Chicago suburb in Cook County. Most of Lyons is zoned commercial and Buckledown is in an industrial park. So, not a lot of street activity. Everyone drove (does that limit the drinking?)
But there were at least 25 people appreciating the beer that evening.
The three of us had a flight of five. I like flights, particularly when trying a less-than-familiar brewer.
Three of the beers I'd have again. Two struck me as experiments (I like experiments, too.)
Try this brewery and its fresh offerings.... before the food trucks leave.
Feb 20, 2016
 
Rated: 4.14 by JimNeedsBrew from Wisconsin

Jan 17, 2016
Photo of bryang002
Reviewed by bryang002 from Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -13.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3
This small tap room is a fun option in an area with very few local options. The location itself is your typical industrial park space, nothing really noteworthy but it's nice enough when it's not crowded. Having the dock door open on nice days is a welcomed feature.

The beer is decent enough but not much variety, mostly popular styles and prices are high at $6 average. They do have growlers to go.

The staff has always been friendly and for the most part knowledgeable. There is no food here, not even pretzels or peanuts on the bar, but you can bring in your own food which is nice.
Dec 07, 2015
Photo of 1000lbgrizzly
Reviewed by 1000lbgrizzly from Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -12.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.25
-Standard brewpub-industrial setting, think metal and wood. Brewing area is widely visible, ample seating. Always a cool sight, but nothing that stands out from others just like it. When the weather is nice they open their loading door, which brings in a sweet breeze and natural light.
-Buckledown beer only. Limited to popular styles- some barrel aged stouts, pale ales, a red ale, decently made Belgian styles. Growlers available to go. Everything is good, but nothing is especially memorable in the wider world of beers.
-Service is pretty good, but that's to be expected with only beers to pour.
-They don't have any food, not even chips or nuts, which I thought was illegal (have to offer any kind of food if alcohol is served), but whatever. Food trucks come by near the weekends, and you can bring in your own food. They schedule movie nights occasionally, which sounds fun.

Solid place to grab a good beer in a fun environment, but (IMO of course) overrated due to loyalties to local places.
Nov 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.59 by Purified from Illinois

Oct 03, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by KH-BD from Illinois

Jul 09, 2015
Photo of BlackBeerPirate
Reviewed by BlackBeerPirate from Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Nice "Down to Earth" taproom. Neighborhood Blue collar feel in an industrial area, parking maybe tricky, do not park East of the place. Nice folks, with a nice selection of ales. Get there early. I have tasted many of their beers and have liked them.
Jun 15, 2015
Photo of Huberbockrox
Reviewed by Huberbockrox from Indiana

5/5  rDev +19%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
I am a huge fan of this place after I visited here and received the same experience all three times. I have spoken to Sean and Ike, who are great guys to talk to and learn from.

I have also spoken to Kc (or Casey?), Mike, and some real buff feller that knows a lot about old timer beers. All 5 guys are great to talk to, but the woman Vickey?, she is the best behind the bar! She is always pouring you a pint and is the best server , very sweet girl.

The beer is excellent. Only drink the stout and porter. I wish they brewed a lager or pils.
May 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by WiggyKGB from Illinois

May 07, 2015
 
Rated: 4.48 by 3fdread from Illinois

Apr 30, 2015
Photo of gormanv
Reviewed by gormanv from Illinois

3.84/5  rDev -8.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4
This is another commercial space turned brewery. It is rather small compared to most but it is a nice place. There is some parking in front but you will end up on a side street or across the street during busy periods. My son and I each had a flight. The dark beers were all pretty good but the IPA's were a little thin. Service was good and the staff was knowledgeable.
Apr 16, 2015
 
Rated: 4.28 by Pgallz

Jan 31, 2015
Photo of BeerHistoryGuy
Reviewed by BeerHistoryGuy from Illinois

4.83/5  rDev +15%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Along with Imperial Oak Brewing -- two breweries separated by only a few miles, the southwest suburbs of Chicago are privy to two fantastic small batch breweries. In fact, couple this with Urban Legend, Pollyanna, and others, all around the area, and the area's beer geeks can be happy they are alive right now.

Buckledown is a place for hop-heads -- that is clearly their specialty, from Belgian IPAs to Dark Rey IPAs to DIPAs of differing types. So, if you are not a hophead, the selection will be slightly limited for you. On the other hand, a few of the other breweries close by are not as glue to hops -- the beauty of this local boom. A brewery for everyone!

Anyway, BuckleDown does not disappoint. Many beers proved to be spectacular and the only one's I didn't love, I still had no real issue with; all the beers exhibit quality. Brewing is done with care here, quit obviously.

The atmosphere is energetic, even in the afternoon, with an eclectic mix of music -- rock, a little guitar-heavy country, and some angry "chick music," as the girl next to me noted (all in fun).

This is a fun place. It's set in an industrial setting, has the feel of hard workers doing what they do best -- creating something with their hands. That something is fantastic beer!

I'm happy to be alive right now.
Jan 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.03 by BeerOps from Illinois

Dec 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by miggy_smalls from Illinois

Dec 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by JohnK1366 from Texas

Dec 09, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by kodt from Illinois

Dec 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Imacopyouidiot from Illinois

Nov 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by PYITE86 from Illinois

Oct 20, 2014
Photo of smbslt
Reviewed by smbslt from Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
Nice to have a very accessible place. Good selection. Tried a flight of four, three were solid and the Stompbox was very good. Need trays to hold the flights.

Had a bit of a neighborhood bar feel. Not crowded and the music was a bit loud and made the space feel a little cavernous.

A cold rainy night may not have let the place put its best foot forward.
Oct 04, 2014
Photo of barnzy78
Reviewed by barnzy78 from Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.8%
Small place in a fairly industrial area; relatively easy to find. I visited during a breezy afternoon and they had the garage door open, so it was a nice relaxing atmosphere. Not a whole lot of seating, however there was plenty of standing room if needed. Prices were borderline high ($6 for most pints), but for a start-up brewery - I get it. Growlers and "grumblers" are available for take-out also. They do not serve food, but apparently you can bring your own food if you wish. I will probably stop in for a grumbler at some point in the future seeing as I drive by this area fairly frequently.
Sep 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by mkennedy119 from Illinois

Aug 28, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by mschrei from Illinois

Aug 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Danimal25 from Illinois

Aug 06, 2014
Photo of swfan1963
Reviewed by swfan1963 from Arizona

4.11/5  rDev -2.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
I was excited to hear that a microbrewery would be opening 10 minutes from where I live, but didn't have high expectations, as it seems the Chicago area has its share of establishments popping up that produce mediocre (if not bad) beer. I was more than pleasantly surprised to find that Buckledown's beers, for the most part, are excellent. I've spoken to Ike, a co-owner, a couple of times and he is very friendly and informative. The bartenders are the same. I've tried all of their beers so far (I think it's up to around 8 now), and I've enjoyed most. My favorites are Clencher (DIPA) and Stompox (stout), which are exceptional - especially when you consider the size of their operation.

The parking lot is small, and as the word gets around, I've found it full a couple of times. Parking is available on the side streets, though you'll need to walk a block or so to get there.

Now I'm expecting great things from Buckledown.
Jul 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by sordyl from Illinois

Jun 25, 2014
BuckleDown Brewing in Lyons, IL
Brewery rating: 3.82 out of 5 with 1068 ratings