Chicago Area Questions

I'm not @jlsims04, but I'll chime in. I would recommend (pretty much in order): Local Option, Hopleaf, Sheffield's, Links, Fountainhead, Map Room. There are definitely plenty of other options, but I've enjoyed myself at all of those places before.

 

and if you're still looking for beer bars in the western suburbs, where it sounds like you'll be:
bavarian lodge in lisle
bigby's pour house in addison
brixies in brookfield
warrens ale house in wheaton
whole foods in wheaton (their tap room is legit)

anyhow, its been a long week and that's all i can think of in the western burbs right now..another post highlighted the city spots most will recommend.

 

The suburban list posted right above me is legit. Those are easily the best bars in the western burbs.

If you're going to the city, I'd recommend the following,

1) Bagers and Lace
2) Links Taproom
3) Maproom

In addition to Bangers being my favorite bar in the city, these are all in the same general area, walkable, and close to Forbidden Root and Goose Island. They're also close to the Eisenhower (290) and Kennedy (90) for an easy drive back to the burbs.

It gives you options if you want to continue on to places like Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Logan Square, Downtown, etc.

 

I've seen Mikerphone bottles to go and on tap (pours only) at Beer Cellar.

Not much BA stouts happening right now, but as noted Pipeworks has some BA bottles for sale at The Dojo only. A quick review of the last few PW thread pages will likely catch you up as to what.

Yes, you'll be able to find SJ. As noted, use Beer Menus to find it. Personally, I think it's definitely worth the $. Looks like it's on tap at Rev. They might still even have bottles for sale. A quick call will answer that.

 

HopLeaf, Links Tap Room, FatPour(this is a sports bar but great draft list), The Green Lady (Right Up By Half Acre), The Half Acre Tap Room, MapRoom, Bangers and Lace (Good Spot but Limited Selection).

 

I always forget Sheffields. Good Spot too.

 

They only have a mere 32 drafts available.

 

Hmmm more than I remember. Its been a while but I could have swore the last time I was there they only had like 12.

 

The patio makes it a great spot to grab a beer. A bit of advice to the OP is that they may have different beers at the different bars so it's worthwhile checking the taps/menus at each of the bars before posting up.

Another place with a decent selection in the near west 'burbs is the Wild Monk in La Grange. Palmer Place a couple doors up will have some interesting stuff from time to time, too and their patio is a nice spot to hang out for a bit if it's nice outside.

 

Every time I've been to Sheffield's, they have a beer menu that shows what's on tap at all of their bars. Of course, you never know if pages go missing or anything like that.

 

That's good to know. It seems like the last 4-5 times I've been (all before concerts), the whole place has been a shitshow, so it's made sense for me just to order directly at the bar and I've noticed different beers at each.

With that being said, it's not like I've had whalez there, either. It's usually the odd Pipeworks, Spiteful, or FFF beer that is at one of the bars.

 

I was just reminded of Miskatonic's second anniversary party. Fun place, good beer.
http://miskatonicbrewing.com/events

 

RAM - Schaumburg
Mikerphone - Elk Grove
More - Villa Park
Noon Whistle - Lombard

All these guys are an easy drive from one another.

 

If you are going to More in Villa Park, might as well swing by Lunar (also in Villa Park) as they always have some great house beers.

 

I'm doing a short 2 day trip coming up. I am more interested in visiting a brewery than bringing home bottles from a shop and based on my last trip I don't really want to pickup Pipeworks IPAs since they are very similar to beers I can get in San Diego.

I'm planning on doing one day staying further South on Saturday night and doing the drive to Transient and then Three Floyds. Transient impressed me greatly on a trip out to Michigan and half of the people drove there from Chicago anyway.

Sunday I am planning to visit Half Acre and Corridor. I've already visited Revolution, didn't really impress me, and in that same trip I visited Penrose, and Solemn Oath. With the idea of barrel aged sours or hyper modern hazy IPAs, are there any spots I should hit instead of Half Acre or Corridor?

 

Haze - You should definitely hit up Corridor and Forbidden Root.
Sours - Une Anne is probably the best sours in Chicago, but if you are staying south, you may want to hit up Whiner (make awesome beer)

If you are staying South, Horse Thief Hollow in the Mount Greenwood/Beverly area has a NE IPA called Parallel Universe which is on par with Other Half. Also great food, and other solid beer offerings.

 

Forbidden Root for hazy PA/IPAs.

 

I looked at Forbidden Root's web site and it looks like everything has some sort of botanical adjunct added. Do they add those to their hazy IPAs too?

 

Nope. Those are normally just jam packed with hops. Maybe some lactose here and there.