Chicago Area's Under The Radar Breweries & Beers

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by Kurmaraja, Jun 4, 2015.

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  1. chicagogooner

    chicagogooner Initiate (0) Feb 5, 2014 Illinois

    Went there back in November of last year and the beer was meh at best.
     
    #41 chicagogooner, Jun 8, 2015
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  2. sefus12

    sefus12 Pundit (938) Sep 7, 2006 Wisconsin
    Trader

    Check out Pollyanna in Lemont. Only seen pictures of the brewpub itself (looks gorgeous) but I know they make really solid beers, many of which are Belgian-inspired. The onwer/head brewer is a great guy to boot.
     
    #42 sefus12, Jun 8, 2015
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  3. JakeT469

    JakeT469 Initiate (0) Jan 13, 2012 Colorado

    1)Marz
    2)Marz
    3)Marz
     
    #43 JakeT469, Jun 8, 2015
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  4. Kurmaraja

    Kurmaraja Initiate (0) May 21, 2013 California
    Trader

    Good to hear some debate; I have to admit, I looked up some of the suggested places, including this one, and thought "really?!" Some places are under the radar for a reason!
     
    #44 Kurmaraja, Jun 8, 2015
  5. BeerGreg

    BeerGreg Savant (1,159) May 17, 2013 Illinois

    Working for the Weekend is delicious! I wish they would send it to the 'burbs
     
    #45 BeerGreg, Jun 8, 2015
  6. robgutie

    robgutie Initiate (0) May 2, 2014 Illinois

    Empirical Breweing was at the Hyde Park Brewfest this weekend and I really enjoyed their offerings. There are a ton of smaller beer festivals going on this summer great way to try some of the smaller/newer Chicago Breweries. I would also check out Baderbrau (opeing soon in Armour Square), Vice District (South Loop), Horse Thief Hollow (Beverly), and get the South Shore down to 18th St.
     
    #46 robgutie, Jun 8, 2015
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  7. JMurphy41

    JMurphy41 Initiate (0) Aug 7, 2012 Illinois

    Piece Brewery and Pizzeria shouldn't be overlooked
     
    #47 JMurphy41, Jun 8, 2015
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  8. JakeT469

    JakeT469 Initiate (0) Jan 13, 2012 Colorado

    Totally agree with you about Piece but it definitely doesn't fit the description of "under the radar" brewery. They've been around for awhile and have won countless medals at some of the countries top beer festivals.
     
    #48 JakeT469, Jun 8, 2015
  9. chicagogooner

    chicagogooner Initiate (0) Feb 5, 2014 Illinois

    I wish they would start producing 6 packs or have crowlers on site to go.
     
    #49 chicagogooner, Jun 8, 2015
  10. brandoman63

    brandoman63 Initiate (0) Jul 19, 2005 Illinois
    Trader

    And start selling their glassware too!
     
    #50 brandoman63, Jun 9, 2015
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  11. jsrose16

    jsrose16 Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2014 Illinois

    Although it's not mind blowing good, I think Scorched Earth is very solid. Some of their offerings are a bit underwhelming, but I thought their DIPA (General Resin) was pretty solid. The taproom is a great place to hang out with friends and grab a beer or two. Foraging Swine is an interesting one if you're into smoked beers. Kind of has a bacon flavor to it.
     
    #51 jsrose16, Jun 9, 2015
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  12. ChicagoTarheel

    ChicagoTarheel Crusader (409) Nov 23, 2013 Illinois

    Pig Minds Brewing out of Rockford- had their Joe Daddy imperial coffee stout at Jaks Tap (west loop) back in January. It was awesome! Wasn't expecting much as I'd never heard of Pig Minds, but was craving a coffee stout... I was pleasantly surprised. Speaking of which, last couple times I've been to Jaks, they seem to have a decent selection of local "less-heard-of" breweries on tap fwiw.
     
    #52 ChicagoTarheel, Jun 9, 2015
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  13. robgutie

    robgutie Initiate (0) May 2, 2014 Illinois

    #53 robgutie, Jun 9, 2015
  14. Kurmaraja

    Kurmaraja Initiate (0) May 21, 2013 California
    Trader

    Funny thing is I'd heard of Pig Minds before I moved here due to some controversy over sexist beer naming ... so I sort of wrote them off. When I was driving through Rockford a couple weeks ago I was surprised to find that a brewery called Pig Minds was actually running a vegan restaurant. Supposedly the food is pretty solid.
     
    #54 Kurmaraja, Jun 9, 2015
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  15. RexKramer

    RexKramer Initiate (0) Jan 19, 2011 Illinois

    I don't know your location, but I know WftW makes it to Archer Liquors.
     
    #55 RexKramer, Jun 9, 2015
  16. BeerGreg

    BeerGreg Savant (1,159) May 17, 2013 Illinois

    I'm in Palatine.
     
    #56 BeerGreg, Jun 9, 2015
  17. untitledeuphoria

    untitledeuphoria Zealot (747) Apr 26, 2014 New York

    What exactly are you trying to imply?
     
    #57 untitledeuphoria, Jun 10, 2015
  18. JakeT469

    JakeT469 Initiate (0) Jan 13, 2012 Colorado

    Marz
     
    #58 JakeT469, Jun 10, 2015
  19. untitledeuphoria

    untitledeuphoria Zealot (747) Apr 26, 2014 New York

    So... Marz?

    To be serious, I have yet to have a Marz. Next time I am in Chicago which of their three main offerings should I pick up? I was leaning towards The Machine, but could be swayed to Jungle Boogie so long as the tea flavor is not overbearing.
     
    #59 untitledeuphoria, Jun 13, 2015
  20. Kurmaraja

    Kurmaraja Initiate (0) May 21, 2013 California
    Trader

    Rooibos is not really tea though it does have a floral tannic flavor. It's fairly strong but a really great and unique beer. They have more than 3 on shelves usually. There is a BA baltic porter on shelves now that seems well reviewed. The berliner with yuzu is great.
     
    #60 Kurmaraja, Jun 14, 2015
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