General Chicago Beer Question

https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/visiting-chicago-area-resource-thread-2021.653101

Here you go! Was on page 3.

 

I'd go to Bottles & Cans (the Central Ave. location is not far from I94, and there's another one a little closer to downtown on Lincoln Ave) and buy singles of tons of stuff. They let you break up anything in the store.

In my opinion, the only "must have" NE IPA's are made by Hop Butcher For The World, but pretty much every brewery in Chicagoland makes them, so a grab bag of the freshest stuff is probably your best bet. Most (sadly not all) date the cans.

I'd say any Deep Woods beers by Revolution are a must, as are any lagers by Dovetail, Goldfinger & Art History. Even if you don't love barrel aged beers or lagers, most of these are so high quality that they are worth a flyer. EDIT: Actually, any style by Art History is worth trying, including the NE IPA's.

Best brewery for a kid...I dunno, don't have any kids and all our breweries seem pretty crowded/loud to me. Maybe someone else can chime in.

 

I would check out Phase 3 between Chicago and Milwaukee. Very NE IPA centric.

 

Just my opinion from traversing the Chicago area for 50+ years, but Lake Zurich is sort of a wide detour in a direct line from Chicago to Milwaukee.

Then again, I can't think of too many places right off either route north from downtown.

Maybe Only Child in Gurnee, it's not far from the Grand Ave exit off 94 and probably half-way between Chi & Milw.

 

While I admit to not knowing the brew scene in northern Chicago suburb area well, I have to agree. Not much comes to mind. And Lake Zurich would be a good-sized detour. If you're going to be downtown at MSI or Shedd Aquarium, one thought is https://oldirvingbrewing.com/ Really good beer and good food. Kids are welcome in the restaurant section. They do have canned beer, to go. Tho, the inventory can vary. It's only 2 blocks east of the Montrose exit on I-94. And I-94 is the best route to Milwaukee.

Since you've got kids, my vote would be to go to Shedd Aquarium, over MSI. Kids love fishes. Tho, if you do go to MSI, pay the extra fee for touring the inside of the German submarine, the U505. Well worth it.

 

The new* exhibit of the U505 is very dramatic and awe inspiring -- especially how you first enter and see the ship.

*I say "new" because I can remember the original exhibit.

 

If, by "original exhibit" you mean outside in the cold, rain, and snow, then, blech! That was pretty sad. While seeing the inside of the boat is the best, another great thing to see is the time-lapse video of workers moving the sub from outside to its new, indoor, home. Wow!

 

Heh, yeah, but I never seemed to have ever actually seen the ship. If you remember, you entered the exhibit as well as the ship itself from inside the museum. Seems that none of my adult chaperones ever knew how to get outside to see the actual sub (or didn't want to ).

That's why seeing it -- from above and from the bow (bow? Sorry, not a sailor) when you first enter the exhibit was pretty dramatic.

Can't recall if there were any beer bottles inside the sub, like there were in "Das Boot."

(see how I saved the thread with the tie-in )

 

Me at Wrigley…

(Ahem!)

“Could I get a Polish… onions… and a General Chicago.”

 

I was in Cub Scouts when I first saw it, when it was outside. I kind of remember being able to look thru the periscope and see the sub itself. They must have had some mirrors to do that.

The bow is the front of the boat. The rear is the stern. It's been a number of years since I've seen it, but I believe you're correct about the view when you first walk in. Yes, it is dramatic. Don't know about beer bottles, but when it first reopened, they said how much trash they pulled out of the sub as part of the move and restoration. I forget the number, but it was something like several tons!

Good save!

 

Mikerphone would be an easy stop near 290 / 294. Depending where you're leaving Chicago from, Noon Whistle and More are pretty accessible to major highways heading north as well.

 

Sounds like they're visiting downtown then headed to Milwaukee. Elk Grove & Lombard are a bit off course, but I'm not driving so I get no vote.

 

Given the time you’re gonna be at the Shedd, all I ask is that you go in with an open mind and appreciate what you’re getting yourself into. Being a couple days before Christmas, the crowds and the lines are gonna suck at that place! Having flown in from NY and gone thru one of Chicago’s biggest tourist destinations right before a holiday, you’ll NEED a beer more than you ever have in your life.
As far as brewery recommendations that are close (enough) to I-90/94, I’d go with either Revolution, Old Irving or Une Annee. They all have good food and good to great beer.

 

Museum has a chicken hatchery, that alone beats anything Shedd can offer.

 

just as long as you get there at the right time... them chicks are pretty dormant, most often.

 

I agree about the congestion and crowds. With the COVID shutdown / lockdown last year and the rush to go out and enjoy this holiday season with family & friends. The Shedd Aquarium probably has a time - entry system where tickets should be purchased in advance under their Plan-a- Visit ticket entry system. The beer quest may be difficult with your travel plans .

 

That’s the right attitude.