So I'm heading up to the Plainfield/Naperville area in March to visit family. Only 4 days and I most likely can't make it all the way into the city. So I researched and found he following places within my travel ability. Was just wondering which places on my list are worth a visit and which aren't. Are there any that I have missed? Thanks in advance for any input! Sovereign - bar/restaurant Plainfield Glen Ellyn - The beer cellar and Binnys Binnys Willowbrook - on way from midway? Archer Liqours - right next to midway Solemn Oath brewing - Naperville Pollyanna Brewing and imperial oak brewing - Lemont 350 brewing and hailstorm brewing Tinley Park Buckle down brewing - Lyons - right by midway Dry City Brew Works - Wheaton Urban Legend Brewing Penrose Brewing
Binnys always has a wide variety of most stuff available in IL, and I have only heard good things about solemn oath, and penrose in Geneva.
Ardmore Station has a good selection. There's also 20 West Wines and Foremost that are right down the road that you can also probably score some good stuff. Those were my spots when I lived in Elmhurst.
Definitely add The Bavarian Lodge in Lisle to your list. IMHO, one of the better beer bars in the state. But they're closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.
Ardmore Station and foremost are both good stores but check the bottle/can dates....they have some old stuff. I'm pretty sure Ardmore still has Enjoy by 7.4.2014. And foremost (in villa pk) has no Pipeworks. Malloy's in Lisle and Glen Ellyn great stores too. Two Brothers has a good tap room and food.
Another vote for the Bavarian Lodge. Don't miss it. A few other notes: - Archer liquors and Buckle Down -- Midway is definitely not in the Naperville/Plainfield area. Just wanted to make sure you knew the distinction. - Solemn Oath -- IMO, not worth the trip - Two Brothers in Warrenville is an option -- not the best, but again IMO, better than Solemn Oath - Binny's -- FYI, there's on in Plainfield and in Naperville Summation: Go to Bavarian Lodge and shop at any Binny's and you'll be good to go. (Maybe add Urban Legend)
Imperial Oak is another good brewery in the western suburbs. There's also a Prestige Liquors in Westmont (I believe) that gets a fair amount of Pipeworks, Three Floyds, and a bunch of other good stuff.
I live in Plainfield and agree with a good portion of what's already been listed. Hits: Bavarian Lodge, Sovereign, Standard Market Go To Breweries: Buckledown, Solemn Oath on Tuesdays Misses: Two Bros, any store not Binnys (they really have anything you'd want), Nevin's beer (food is decent) Sovereign carries a nice tap selection, with Transient, Buckledown and seasonal Chicago brewery releases. I'm a big fan of Standard Market. All beer is chilled. Food is good. Have fresh local coffee beans. Penrose is as far as getting into downtown. It's not a convenient drive. However, if you want to go there, combine it with Niche for a nice dinner.
Oak Brook Binny's is in a converted Container Store space, i.e., it is massive. Lots of things there I'd never seen anywhere else. Binny's Bollingbrook was decent, and other stores have great rep as well (e.g., Downers Grove). Oh, and if you go into the city, Bad Apple has one of the best beer lists I've ever seen.
I enjoy solemn oath, but just be aware it is as plain as can be. It's an L shaped bar with about 12 bar stools in a small warehouse, special tappings on Tuesdays and a discounted growler fill (no food). I live right down the road from two brothers (some of the best fried pickles I have had). Their beer is meh, but food is pretty good. I would say the same for nevins brewery in Plainfield if you are in the area. If you are looking for a deal while in town, hit up penrose on a Tuesday. All beers are $4 and all growler fills are $10 (new growler is $4). While you are there you are in downtown geneva. You can swing by geneva ale house. Decent selection and good food. Tribes in tinley park isn't bad either if you are heading that way. The bottle shop just opened this week in tinley also, haven't been in yet but looks pretty decent. Nice selection of regional beers and 8 taps and a bar.
I live in Lisle myself, so the above posts pretty much got ya covered. Bavarian Lodge is a must(it gets crowded after about 5pm but dies down by 9ish), best tap selection pretty much outside of chicago. I personally really like Solemn Oath, but they do have a 3 beer limit and no food but you can bring your own in. Many of the places mentioned are a good 30-40 minutes from the Naperville/Plainfield area so it really depends on how far you're willing to go..all good choices however. You can easily take the Metra downtown and hit up Lagunitas(15 min walk from the western ave stop), jump back on and head downtown and go to Haymarket). I have heard good things about Sovereign that just opened up, and yes Standard Market in Naperville is actually a great place to go have beer in a supermarket.
The Bavarian Lodge in Lisle. The Binnys in Naperville ,Downers Grove ,and Glen Ellyn. Two Brothers in Warrenville. The Beer Cellar is in downtown Glen Ellyn and parking may be an issue.
Bavarian lodge in lisle, Warrens in Wheaton. Both have excellent beer selection and nice food. Warrens is more american eatery style while the lodge is exactly what it sounds like. Best restaurant in the suburbs if you ask me. Beer Cellar in Glen Ellyn. If it's a guy behind the counter, his name is Dave. Talk to him. It's hard to find. Just west of the Starbucks. Two Brothers is solid. Quality beer but nothing you'd right home about unless you get their fresh imperial red or a sour. Solemn Oath can cause some arguments. Some love it, some hate it. They limit you to 3 beers. Be aware of that. If you like belgian beers, you money and time is better spent at Penrose. Go to lemont. I haven't made it out to imperial oak but Pollyanna has come out strong. You won't be disappointed. And I've heard good things about imperial oak. Embarrassed to say I'm a resident of wheaton and haven't been to dry city yet. I don't think its a must go at this point. I get the sense they are still trying to hit their stride Haven't seen anyone mention Lunar in tinley park. It is classic dive bar but they brew their own on a small batch system and always have an exceptional list. Interesting place, better visit on a quite weekday evening. The place attracts all kinds.
FTFY OP hit up Heaven on Seven in Naperville, decent beer but great food if cajun/creole is your thing.
Along your travels on I 55 to Plainfield- Binny's Willowbrook and Plainfield. Tap House Plainfield. Standard Market SW Naperville. Solemn Oath for a chill time (bring your own eats). Downtown Naperville for good beer crawl. Have fun
