Northern Illinois suggestions

Since most of those are far western suburb spots, I would also consider Penrose in Geneva or Solemn Oath in Naperville. If you are into wilds / sours, Penrose has been making some really great stuff lately. Not a brewery, but Plank Road Tap Room in the far western part of Elgin is an awesome place to chill and usually has a great taplist.

 

I am biased since I work part time there, but I recommend Scorched Earth for sure. Should be releasing our first barrel aged sour very soon too. We've got a Strawberry Rhubarb Gose on tap right now that I love, but honestly I love almost everything we've done so far. Just hit our one year anniversary last week.

 

I haven't worked in a couple of weeks due to vacation so haven't heard anything definite. Personally I'm hoping so, but I know you can't really rush these things.

 

I've been to these.

Although I appreciate them and I'm happy to frequent them whenever I get the chance, there's usually not much stand-out-ish at any of them. Nothing is bad, but you'll get a bunch of new ticks for sure if that's your thing

 

Ive heard good things about scorched earth and crystal lake brewing. If u hit either of them be sure to stop at garfields on rte 14 in crystal lake. Great bottle shop!

 

Haven't been to Village Vintner or Wild Onion (I do like their hefe, really dislike their pumpkin beer). Emmett's isn't anything too great and and Monk are not gonna blow you away with their beer. Very average. However they are nice restaurants and I can vouch for the food at Lucky Monk. They make a damn good burger.

Scorched Earth and Crystal Lake Brewing are both cool places with above average brews. It's more a place to just sit down and have convo. No TV's just a tap room. Food trucks come from time to time and byof is encouraged. They are about 15 min from each other, so it's not a bad idea to hit both in a night. I'd recommend the Slalom King IPA from Crystal Lake. Wake Maker isn't a bad choice as well. As for Scorched, their IPA choices are solid. Hickster is a decent cream ale. Try the foraging swine. It's a smoked beer that tastes alot like smoked pork/bacon. It's very interesting to say the least.

If you are at Crystal Lake, walk a block over and make a stop at Dukes. They usually have a solid beer list (I think they have Permanaent Funeral, Parabola and Sucaba on tap right now). Another bar (right by Emmetts) is Bandito Barneys. Last I checked they had NYFRB 19.5% on tap. Outside of that, they usually have an extensive list of offerings. As previously mentioned, Plank Road is solid. Penrose is also an awesome place that is really putting out some underrated offerings.

 

Unless you have loads of time to kill, I would skip Emmet's. I find their beer exceedingly mediocre...just my opinion. As others have mentioned, substitute with Penrose, Solemn Oath, or Two Brothers.

 

If you're looking to score some Pipeworks while in the area I think the closest place you'll find it is Antioch Fine Wine and Liquors in Antioch or Cardinal in Crystal Lake if you're heading into Crystal Lake anyways.

 

+1 for Dukes and/or Durty Nellies. Palatine Tap House has had an impressive list the last couple times I was in too.

 

Only Child in Gurnee opens on 8/22. They make some great beer, and I suspect the taproom will be worth checking out.

https://www.facebook.com/onlychildbrewing

 

I would travel from Penrose (Rt. 31) to Plank Road Tap (Near Randall/Rt. 20). Plank Road has a unique tap list and it's a cool little log cabin on the side of the road. Probably one of my favorite places in the area. If you're looking for bottles make a stop at Binny's on Randall Rd. in Algonquin then travel up to Scorched Earth (North on Randall to Algonquin Rd.)

If you have time, check out Duke's in Crystal Lake as suggested. Honestly, I'd skip Crystal Lake Brewing, I wasn't really too impressed with their beer. It was just ok.

Lake Geneva is about 50 minutes from Algonquin depending on traffic. Right over the border you should be able to grab some New Glarus.

 

I'm actually hosting a small birthday party at Scorched Earth on Sunday (I'm turning 35 on 8/28) afternoon so maybe I'll run into you there

 

Tighthead Brewery.