Chicago breweries that don’t need their own thread (2023)

Had a decent Schwarzbier (7th Evil Ex) from Skeleton Key Brewing in Woodridge; can't say I was aware of them, but it looks like I'd had a Saison collaboration they made with Whiskey Hill, Black Horizon & Englewood Brews a few years back. Nice earthy, creamy notes on this one, easy to drink but not overly memorable.

Currently drinking a Kolsch (Too Much Cologne*) from Crystal Lake Brewing; first one I've had from them. It's got a chalky vibe that I don't love too much. It was canned in September & presumably stored cold until I found it on a shelf recently, so maybe it was better fresh?




*see what they did there?

 

Does Maplewood have its own thread? I don’t know!

On the subject of hypebeast stouts, anyone try tertiary?

 

Draft only + their tiny, uncomfortable taproom = I'm missing out!

 

I want a Noon Whistle thread.

 

I want my money back for their Dodging Traffic coffee stout I took a chance on recently!

 

i, too, have an unnatural aversion to their taproom. I used to live close by, and thought it was great on off days. But on days with crowds? Woof.

 

Lol - I attempted to go out of their way to try this stout, but it kicked before I could make it. My friend made it and found the taproom to be overcrowded and obnoxious. Oh well.

 

I support this thread wholeheartedly, as I find the general world of beer is better represented.
Off Color rules, they deserve a thread.
Eager to try the Corridor Rauchbier. There was a time not too long ago when I would have said they were my favorite brewery in Chicago. Do either Dryhop or Corridor still do growler Saturdays?
Down in that realm to kick it for June of 44 in a few weeks...leaning towards Afterthought but would love a new spot not out there in the burbs.

 

The Beat Kitchen is so close to great spots...the Beer Temple is a WORLD CLASS beer bar, plus a bottle shop with to-go options (including plenty of Afterthought). Also not far from Revolution's Taproom, which will have delights to be sure.

The Village Tap, Bitter Pops, the Green Lady...you are swimming in great city options...and it's not super far from my favorite beer location in the world, the Hopleaf. They even sometimes have Afterthought options on draft (which is NOT common).

EDIT: I always prefer beer bars over breweries for a short stay, in case you hadn't noticed.

 

ohhh where did that visiting Chicago thread go? That was a great resource.

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

is this the most recent one? Fire that badboy back up! #TooLazyToHelp

 

Good thread! Plus the other good Midwestern folk get annoyed when a bazillion Chicagoland brewery threads “clutter up” the forum page.

 

Isn’t every canned beer essentially a kolsch? Because that’s what they sound like when I open one.

 

Think Lake Effect deserves a shout out. They do some pretty interesting stuff. Was introduced to them years ago when their Falcon Dive IPA and Great Lakes brews hit the shelves. Also think their collab with Super Dawg has produced some pretty good brews like their Pale Ale, Kolsch and BA Stout Supershake. Also have an interesting collab with the Morton Arboretum with one of the brews made from Juniper berries.

 

Their BA stout game is under appreciated in the city and I like it. More for me as it’s a neighborhood brewery.

 

Yeah their BA stouts are very underrated. One of my favorite stouts they offered was called called Expresso Gone Stout which was just a 6% Coffee Milk Stout.

Looking forward to the new taproom on Milwaukee ave.

 

Another Chicago Area brewery that I think should get a shoutout is Illuminated on the NW side. They brew some pretty solid stuff and their can art is up there with Hop Butcher imo. Astronaut Juice/Astronaut Eye Scream, Fruit Creep, Spoonful Of Sugar are pretty good hazies. Fnord is a pretty good wheat ale and Trust is a soild Lager. They do need to work on their stout game. War On Christmas (white stout) is the one that really ever impressed me.

Their Tap Room is a pretty cool and worth a trip to check them out.

 

Ike and Oak in Woodridge has a very nice dark mild on tap- Bluebird Day. Lightly hopped (East Kent Golding?) malty and highly drinkable at 3.7%. The only thing I could have asked for was to have it served in an imperial pint.

I’ve only had Yards Brawler a couple of times, but to my memory, bluebird day compares nicely.

 

Has anyone tried some of Tighthead’s cask ales? Worth the trip?

 

I didn’t realize they have a cask handle, thanks for your post. I will definitely try to make it there this Spring as I really like their IPAs and a few other styles I’ve tried.

Any experience at Tighthead @steveh ?

Want to hit Roaring Table and possibly Phase Three as well.