Apprev. Escapade to Chicago

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by vinceclortho, Jun 15, 2015.

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  1. vinceclortho

    vinceclortho Initiate (0) Feb 26, 2014 Texas

    Hey everyone, I will be in Chicago for a few days on Friday (staying in in Old Town) and I'm looking to enjoy as much the city has to offer in craft beer & food. Will be coming up for my grandmother's 95th! birthday and have the fortune of my parent's vehicle to ship my haul home for me... Hoping for bottles galore. Unfortunately we're flying to/from, so won't be bringing any bottles with me for trade/sharing from Texas, though I wish I could. Alas, I've done a fair bit of research from previous posts (1, 2) on this board and have come up with the following general itinerary. If you see any glaring omissions or other favorites missing, I'd appreciate any feedback you might have.

    Generally, does anyone know if there are any limited releases expected to be released this week? Any twitter accounts to follow for releases and tips?

    List (so far):

    Breweries:     (looking for the best beers. period. regardless of style)
    • Revolution
    • Haymarket
    • Piece
    • Half-Acre
    • Spiteful
    • Local Option
    Bars/Brewpubs: looking to stay in the loop if possible, but could venture out)
    • Sedgwick Shop
    • Timothy O'Tooles
    • White Oak
    • Bar Pastoral
    • Hopleaf
    • Fountainhead
    • Bad Apple
    Bottle Shops: (looking for Pipeworks, 3F, Off-Color, and basically anything I can't get in Texas)
    • Binny's LP (seems like this the closest and best bet for bottles from what I've seen) Any others?
    Restaurants:
    • Parachute
    • Boka
    • Girl and the Goat
    • Publican
    • Farmhouse
    I saw that the Chicago Ale Fest is this Friday and Saturday. Would anyone recommend checking that out? Looks like a nice lineup of breweries.

    I'm also on the look out for a great cup of coffee and my wife is wanting to check out a Speakeasy one night. Any good ones we should look into?

    Cheers from Austin!
    -v
     
    #1 vinceclortho, Jun 15, 2015
  2. croush

    croush Pooh-Bah (2,407) Mar 20, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't think there is any "glaring" that is missing - you've got quite a list. One minor nugget I would throw out is that Goose Island Brewpub is right across the street from the LP Binny's, so you may want to stop in there. They have lots of stuff on tap that you won't get anywhere else. Also, the Goose Island taproom just opened recently, and I think they are putting a Bourbon County on tap every 3rd Friday of each month...which happens to be this Friday, in case that interests you.
     
    #2 croush, Jun 15, 2015
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  3. vinceclortho

    vinceclortho Initiate (0) Feb 26, 2014 Texas

    Nice! I just added them on twitter to see if they tweet which one will be on. We get plenty of the Stout, BW, and Coffee down here, but I always enjoy a nice BCBS. Space looks cool, so we'll likely check it out when we check out Binny's.

    Thanks for the tip!
     
    #3 vinceclortho, Jun 15, 2015
  4. rabbitguy

    rabbitguy Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2009 Illinois

    Your list is solid and if you're here try the Chicago style pizza ,hot dogs ,and Italian beef. Binny's is great start .
     
    #4 rabbitguy, Jun 15, 2015
  5. jlsims04

    jlsims04 Initiate (0) Jul 14, 2013 Illinois

    Goose Island on Clyborne and Goose Islands new tasting room should not be missed.
     
    #5 jlsims04, Jun 15, 2015
  6. beergurujr

    beergurujr Initiate (0) Oct 27, 2003 Illinois

    And Mexican. Outstanding taquerias abound. Too bad you don't have them in Texas :wink:
     
    #6 beergurujr, Jun 15, 2015
  7. vinceclortho

    vinceclortho Initiate (0) Feb 26, 2014 Texas

    I know better than to ask what the best spots are for these on here. Not gonna derail my own thread.
     
    #7 vinceclortho, Jun 15, 2015
  8. croush

    croush Pooh-Bah (2,407) Mar 20, 2015 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I realize my response may have been slightly confusing. There are two separate GI spots...one is the Brewpub across the street from LP Binny's (not corporate owned) that will have lots of different stuff that isn't part of the corporate distribution. The other spot is the GI taproom (part of the corporation), which just opened, and they are the ones that are supposed to have a Bourbon County on tap every 3rd Friday.

    I have yet to make it to the taproom, but have been to the brewpub a handful of times.
     
    #8 croush, Jun 15, 2015
  9. DMBrady20

    DMBrady20 Initiate (0) Apr 28, 2014 Illinois

    Bottle Shop: Beer Temple - Owner opens a couple bottles every day for free tastings while the bottles last. Sometimes he opens some awesome beers from the cellar. For example, he had a few SARA bottles open not too long ago.

    Restaurant: Dusek's - Beer focused small plates kind of restaurant in the same caliber as the places you listed. This place is a must do IMO.

    Speakeasy: Violet Hour if you want a fancy hipster joint. Maria's is an old speakeasy style place in Brideport with one of the best beer selections in the city. Maybe my favorite bar overall.

    Have fun in Chicago!
     
    #9 DMBrady20, Jun 15, 2015
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  10. jsrose16

    jsrose16 Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2014 Illinois

    West Lakeview Liquors, Fischman Liquors should both fall in the "bottleshop" category as well. Also, Monk's pub and Pazzo's are great in the loop. Pazzo's is right by Luke's beef, if you want a quick meal (or you can eat at pazzos). Monk's has decent bar fare and plenty of beer choices. If you want a quick bite to eat around there, Blackwoods BBQ and Goodwin's Deli are just west of there, as is UB Dog (hot dog/burger/beef joint).
     
    #10 jsrose16, Jun 15, 2015
  11. Carp19

    Carp19 Initiate (0) Dec 22, 2013 North Carolina

    Let me just add that, though not a Chicagoan, I hit a lot of the same spots on your list on a similar trip I did last fall. I didn't regret any of them. Actually, have been back to both Farmhouse and Half Acre on subsequent trips. Bottles and Cans is another good bottle shop to add to your list.
     
    #11 Carp19, Jun 15, 2015
  12. vinceclortho

    vinceclortho Initiate (0) Feb 26, 2014 Texas

    I think I misspoke about "the Loop"...I guess that's just the area South of the River and North of Stevenson? We are staying in Lincoln Park West, but regardless from what it looks like, we're not going to be lacking in options.

    Thanks for the tips everyone. It's pretty obvious to me that I will need to come back. And often.

    Is anyone planning on making it to the Ale Fest? I'm weighing the options of standing/crowds to try lots of local beers vs. sitting at Haymarket enjoying a few great local beers. First world problems.
     
    #12 vinceclortho, Jun 15, 2015
  13. nachos

    nachos Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2012 Michigan

    What the hell is an apprev.?
     
    #13 nachos, Jun 15, 2015
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  14. vinceclortho

    vinceclortho Initiate (0) Feb 26, 2014 Texas

    Never heard of an appreviation? Come on.
     
    #14 vinceclortho, Jun 15, 2015
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