I'm sure I am not alone when I say I plan brewery visits into trips (business and pleasure). I am heading to Chicago and Green Bay in August for a Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau and 2 Pearl Jam concerts in Chicago. Midwesterners help this southerner out, what 4-6 breweries in these areas are must visits? I'll be in the Green Bay/Milwaukee area for 2 days and then Chicago for 3 days. I am thinking New Glarus and Central Waters in Wisconsin, and Revolution and hopefully Three Floyds (35 miles south in Munster IN) in the Chicago area. Suggestions ?
HAVE FUN!!!! Can't recommend breweries but Hopleaf bar in Chicago is a must--easy ride on subway or short cab ride from business district. Awesome selection. Every time I have been--fresh ZD on tap and great local and Belgian stuff too. Will not be disappointed.
You've picked some good ones for sure. When are you going? Half Acre and Revolution are very close in terms of preference so the tap list timing for Half Acre could be key. Either way you're good. You definitely want to grab cans/bottles of Pipeworks in town. Lizard King and Ninja vs Unicorn are very possibly the best 12 month beers in Chicago
Chicago: Revolution, Half Acre, Empirical, Begyle are all relatively close to each other. Also, Goose Island.
Neither of these are super close to Green Bay/Milwaukee, although I've never been to them so I can't comment on whether it'd be worth it. I was just in Green Bay this week and hit up Badger State Brewing, which is only a block or so from Lambeau. Very solid beers, and one of the best wits I've had in quite awhile. Titletown Brewing is also great. Green 19 is one of the best IPAs around, and they make a killer schwarzbier. I don't know when their taproom is opening in Milwaukee, but if it's open make sure it hit up Black Husky. Tim is a good dude and turning out killer beers.
Definitely go to Central Waters when you're in the Green Bay area, it's a haul from Milwaukee. Haven't been there because of that. New Glarus isn't really close to anything, but it's worth a trip. The brewery is huge and immaculate and there's a nice courtyard where they do the tastings. The town around it is a nice little place as well, I would budget a fair amount of time for the visit. As for Chicago, there are a ton of options. Three Floyds is probably my favorite for food and beer. Just be prepared for a crowd if it's a weekend. Assuming you're somewhat close to them, it wouldn't be too hard to hit Half Acre and Revolution in the same day. You can also hit The Beer Temple for some cans/bottles, arguably the best bottle shop in the city.
I'd definitely hit up Central Waters (and O'so while you are at it, since it is so close) while you're in northern WI. Then maybe make side trip to Madison, on your way to Chicago, and stop at Karben4 and New Glarus.
Titletown has killer food and some great beers (mosaic pale is fantastic), but I have been far more impressed with Badger State than any of the GB breweries. The tap room is very cool. The beer is above average, with some really great standouts IMO (Buzzy Badger, Mean Green, Imperial Milk Chocolate Stout...)They seem to always have something new on tap. You can get crowlers of most beers to go. If I had to pick one, it would be Badger State. But I highly recommend doing at least Titletown and Badger State. Hinterland is right by Titletown so if you have time to kill, it's worth a stop but most of their beers are pretty average IMO.
It's up to you, but CW, Point, and Oso are all in a row about 2 hours from Milwaukee or Green Bay. They're so far west that you really aren't much closer in GB than in Milwaukee.
Not sure your timing, or what your goals are, but if you want to take ZD home with you, try to swing by 3F on Wednesday or Thursday. Almost always available, and almost always runs out before or on Friday, rarely makes it to weekend.
Near Green Bay: 3 Sheeps in Sheboygan, Door County Brewing in Egg Harbor, Fox River Brewing in Oshkosh. I haven't been to any of these places, but I've liked the beers I've had from them.
Can't speak for Wisconsin other than to make the travelers observation that you should study this map, it's distances and road types you will be traveling on before making some of the decisions you are wanting to make because New Glarus is nowhere near Green Bay and it also will not be an easy journey to get back from either. Sure, like the above mentioned. Satisfy your urge with 3fff. It is worth it. But also. We have an arms length of breweries in the Chicago area that rival what they are doing and are far easier to get to, and from if you are actually staying in the city proper.
