2019 Visiting Chicagoland Resource Thread

Thanks. I also found that Maplewood has one, but the Forbidden Root one looks pretty good and is $45/pp cheaper.

 

Just a hot tip, but I feel like Forbidden Root's beers have gone way down hill. If you're looking from a quality perspective, Maplewoods would probably be better. They're also a smaller space so makes sense why they're charging a little more.

 

My 10th annual road trip through Chicago on my way home to Wisconsin is two weeks away. This forum has always been a great resource for me - love this new thread. I enjoy all styles, but do enjoy IPAs of all persuasions the most. I live in Boston, so I know my way around a hazy or two. Also value Chicago’s lager scene.

As background, Boston gets a lot of Chicago stuff - Pipeworks, half acre, revolution, and off color to name a few. Mostly regular lineup releases, so I’m putting a premium on things I can’t get or spots that have taproom/brewery only releases. Also, skipping three Floyds this year - just been so many times that I’m trying to freshen it up.

Itinerary so far - driving in on 90E on Saturday 12/21, mid-afternoon - mostly sticking to sample/taster sized pours at this point - something to help me choose what to grab to-go and get a variety:

• marz (really liked the unusual offerings here last year)
• Forbidden root (never had them - worth it?)
• Off color mousetrap (like their beer, but never been - worth it?)
• Maybe Pequad’s if I’m ready for dinner, may hold out for later (open to hearing about you favorite thick or deep dish favorites if you have an alternative spot in lakeview - see below)
• Maplewood (never had them - worth it?)

Staying in Lakeview that evening - can drink more at this point and will be ubering/walking after ditching the car. Looking for bars with solid local representation as a priority. Will also be looking for cans and bottles to go. Again, may be getting pizza, but open to other food suggestions.

• Half Acre Lincoln (always a must for me)
• Dovetail (went last year, loved it)
• Bitter pops (never been)
• Corridor (worth adding?)
• Dry hop (three blocks from my hotel -worth adding?)

On my way north on 90 to Wisconsin on Sunday, 12/22.

• Hubbard’s cave (I’ve had a couple of their stouts/porters and liked them. good stop? Good for bottles and cans to go?)
• Mikerphone (went last year - not great service but loved the beer)

Last thing - noon whistle would be on this list if it weren’t so far west. Any shops that carry them with consistency?


Thanks in advance to my Chicago BAs for feedback.

 

If you want pizza maybe try and hit Middle Brow. Not your traditional Chicago...or anywhere else for that matter, izza, but they were recognized on some best new restaurant lists by national magazines and they brew their own beer so....
Maybe hit up Beer Temple's taproom? or Revolutions taproom if you are into big barrel aged beers and one of the Deep Woods Release events lines-up with your visit.

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/50-nominees-best-new-restaurants-2019

 

If you’re in Ravenswood and looking for pizza I suggest Spacca Napoli. Dovetail folks pointed us there and they were not wrong on that front.

 

Be aware Spacca Napoli pizza is good if you want Neopolitan style, but it's an Italian Restaurant, in no way craft beer oriented (so maybe carryout and eat at Dovetail). My advice if your drinking and in that area is to go over to Roots Pizza. They have a good beer list that the last couple visits has had a BCBS variant on, or drafts from local Chicagoland places so it's a good way to try a variety of local stuff without being locked into one brewer.

 

From your first list of options, I would visit Maplewood and/or Mousetrap (assuming you're into OC's styles of beer). On your second list, all looks good (for BP, I'd see what they have on tap to determine if you actually want to stop in there to have a beer). If you're looking for beer to go, I would also check out Bottles & Cans just down the street from Half Acre - they have a great selection and allow you to split any 4/6 packs up into singles, so you can try some variety.

As for Noon Whistle, I think BP or B&C will have them (although I don't look for their stuff as it's never impressed me much).

 

I spent last week in Chicago, this thread helped a lot.
I don’t see much mention, but I enjoyed Middle Brow and Pilot Project Brewing a lot. Pilot Project was a really interesting concept, wide variety of options, comfortable and large space.
Dovetail continues to be a favorite.

 

Thanks for stoppin in, glad ya dug - ✌️❤️✌️❤️