I'll be in Chicago next week

http://www.chicagomag.com/best-microbreweries/

 

The brewery I seem to be hearing the most about out of Chicago lately is Revolution.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22072/

 

Check out Revolution

 

Unsessionable and Anti-hero are amazing on tap

 

I'm from Minneapolis - not a native either but first off take a cab to the Publican - its snout to tail place an old meat packing district that has an awesome beer list and incredible food.

Hopleaf specializes in Belgian Beer - its up on 5148 N. Clark. Over 300 selections
Maproom 1949 N. Hoyne has a couple hundred beers
I like the beer from Local Option and they have a tap room on 102 W. Webster.
I have always enjoyed the Wise Fools Pub - they have 30+ craft beers on tap.
Chicago Ale House has 50+ taps.
People bad mouth Goose Island but I have always enjoyed their tap room on 1800 N. Clybourne

Start with one of these and then ask people where to go next. People in Chicago are generally very nice and easy to drink with.

 

ps. Binny's Beverage Depot - Lincoln Park (1700 North Marcey Street ) has a great selection and they get 3 Floyds in every week or so. They keep it stuck back in a corner so if you don't find it, ask

 

If you're downtown Chicago..go to revolution, haymarket, half acre. if you go to three floyds, just make sure you know what you're getting into..if it's just you, you could probably get a seat at the bar after 15-20 minutes..but it could be an hour +. just ten minutes from three floyds is a place called One Trick Pony that is really good and nowhere near the hassle it can be at three floyds. grab some pipeworks bombers at one of the Binny's locations.

the suburbs have a ton of breweries too..solemn oath, two brothers, urban legend, penrose etc etc.

 

Second the local option.
I didn't particularly enjoy Publican last time (I was there on Friday) but they might have had a bad night - a lot of people really like it, but it is expensive!

 

Plus I'm from out of town and don't know any better.

 

I don't know about that, I live here and haven't been to the revolution tap room even though I love their beers! Sometimes out of towners do the best stuff when they visit.

 

Hit 18th Street in the Miller section of Gary after Three Floyd's. A hop and a skip away!

 

Obligatory Chicago visit repost follows:

Below are some other suggestions made by others. Credit to the original posters on these.

Breweries/Brewpubs:

• Half Acre - Just taproom and store but my favorite taproom. Usually pretty chill even when crowded.
• Piece Brewing - Brewpub with AMAZING pizza and great beer. Love this place.
• Revolution - Taproom and Brewpub (Great food)
• Solemn Oath - In napperville, but if you can get there its a cool place with good beer.
• Goose Island Clybourn- Brewpub (Right next to Binnys LP) Has good food and a large taplist of GI beers.
• Whole Foods Lincoln Park - If you're at Goose and visit Binny's , check out Whole Foods 2 bars on the inside, awesome draft list. seriously.
• Begyle - Has a new taproom with pretty good beer and is a few blocks from half Acre
• Lagunitas - Good beer, good food. Swag store.
• Haymarket Pub and Brewery - Good beer, good food, closest to you on Michigan Ave. (there is a binny's near haymarket with a nice bottle collection and taproom)

Bars/Restaurants:

• Hopleaf - Easily my favorite place in Chicago. Fantastic beer list, both tap and bottle, and great food, especially the muscles and fries.
• Piece Brewing - Brewpub with AMAZING pizza
• Maria's Packaged goods - on the south side, but has a great bar and decent bottle shop. Doesn't have food, but immediately next door is a great pot pie place (Pleasant House Bakery) that you can order into the bar.
• Simone's - Close to Maria's. Great draft list, great food.
• Skylark - Great draft list. Tots! (people think the tots are over hyped, they cannot be overhyped) Down the street from Simone's.
• Bad apple - Pretty good tap list with fantastic burgers.
• Jerry's Sandwiches - Huge taplist AND sandwich list. Close to hopleaf.
• Foutainhead - Close to half acre. Good tap list and good food although I am never blown away.

Other places which have a great reputation

• Publican
• Kumas corner
• Map room
• Local Option
• Haymarket
• Dryhop

 

Where in VA are you from?

 

I feel like at this point, you might as well just start a stickied thread, post this there, and then never have to do it again.

--
Also, the above is a great list, so...the only thing I'd add is that while not explicitly stated, Binny's LP also has an excellent tap room, so if you're in the area, I'd consider running the gamut, and maybe popping into GI, Binny's and Whole Foods (if you've got the time/stamina). Definitely stop into Binny's though, if you're looking to take home some Chicago beer.

 

You have more than enough battles to choose waging right in your immediate area.
18th Street, One Trick Pony, Three Floyds and Flossmoor are all a short drive from South Holland.

 

Bring Hardywood Gingerbread!!!