Chicagoland Up and Coming Breweries (2021)

I went back in 2019, it was fine. Their original taproom is fairly small, so an expansion for more space makes sense. The immediate area is also fairly sparse in terms of beer destinations, maybe they're banking on that and increased traffic from the resorts around Lake Villa.

 

The German Pilsner was very good but Holy Cow was that Vienna lager spectacular! Thanks for the tip!

 

Yes, sorry about that!

 

To an earlier response, I can inform you that Printers Row Brwg. has opened at 4801 N. Austin Ave.
I went there. The beers are pretty good. You can bring in food.
But it has one potentially grave flaw in its operation. I will not mention it here; but I did leave a note about it with Jonathan that evening, and gave it a mildly negative response on its credit card processor's follow-up e-mail.

 

Oh, shit someone is about to ADVOCATE!

Ah, well...

 

So yet another brewery named after a neighborhood it isn't actually in?

 

Next thing you tell me is that Half Acre doesn't actually refer to the size of the brewery and the Spiteful folk are actually very kind. What is the world coming to?

 

They are officially the closest brewery to my house now, so I'm excited they are opened. Haven't had the chance to check it out yet, but I will. We'll see if I notice the same flaw you mentioned.

 

I visited the week they opened and didn't experience any issues. The owner and staff were great, thought their BA (Buffalo Trace) stout was solid, liked their Brown Ale, thought their WCIPA was meh.

Nearby Illuminated Brew Works on NW Highway is opening very soon and that's only three blocks from my house. Lake Effect should be open in Jefferson Park by Spring.

Iron Horse (craft beer bar) opened in the suburbs and have listed their bar closed since COVID, hoping something opens in that space as well.

I provided an update in the visiting Chicago Resources thread:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...rea-resource-thread-2021.653101/#post-7289328

 

Yeah, I'm excited for this one. Love the space, and they are really starting to grow on me.

 

Dibs on the name Grave Flaw Brewing Co.

 

Ah, yep, brown ale on tap. That very well could be fatal for them.

 

I mean, there other location is at Ball More Ale.

 

Has anyone tried Hidden Hands beers? Looks like a new venture from Solemn Oath focusing on small batches of IPAs.

 

I have tried one (Makes You Larger) but it was very very good.

EDIT: I think I'll be heading over there today for the release of their new Wild Ale, I'll probalby try the other two while I'm there.

 

Hopleaf has an American pale ale on draft from Art History. While I've been meaning to try their lagers, I was happy to finally taste one of their beers.

Lincoln Highway is a nice mix of grapefruit, fresh soap (in a good way!) and a subtle malt sweetness. Very well balanced.

Excited to try more, as this was a well made beer!

 

Please report back on the wild ale! I am very curious about it and will probably grab one regardless, but always appreciate seeing what others think!

 

It’s an homage to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Nice little beer