Heading to Chicago for a long weekend of baseball games and beers. I looked through some past threads and got some good suggestions. However, I'd like some more specialized recommendations: Looking for breweries and bars/restaurants primarily. Any super-compelling bottle shops are fine too, but we will be mostly looking for places to chill with a brew. Chicago city is preferred. We'd like to not have to drive. Any place with any variations of BCBS (Rare, Coffee, any vintage years, etc) are a plus - Would like some bottle shop rec's for this as well as bars. Additionally - is Goose Island brewpub open now? I heard they were doing renovations... Any specific beers that I should seek out - imperial IPAs and barrel aged stouts especially. I like my beers strong Thank you!!
Goose Island Brewpub is still closed for renovations. But Corridor and Forbidden Root will probably be your best brewery options for good food and even better beer, specifically your want of imperial ipas. BA stout wise, not too sure at the moment of anyone who has any on tap. Others can chime in on that front.
Brewery and restaurants - forbidden root - corridor - Revolution Bars - map room - Bangers & Lace - links taproom - hopleaf - Local Option You'll need to trade for bourbon county variants or check for bar events (try googling "beeronaut" Re: beers - pipeworks for standard IPAs. Forbidden root and corridor (and Mikerphone bottles) for NEIPAs.
I'm betting it will re-open for Black Friday.....Needs a lot of work and they have to start brewing some beer. I guess no Belgian fest....
Which baseball are you going for? If Cubs, do Corridor and Provisions, Half Acre, Bottles and Cans for a bottle shop, and Sheffields.
Where can I get Mikerphone in Chicago proper? I've heard great things. I'm not sure if we will make it out to the brewery, since it's about a half hour away. We may, depending on how the weekend goes.
Comiskey made a huge craft effort this year, so there are a ton of Chicago craft options within the stadium.
When you head to the Sox game hit up the Craft Kave in right field. If you are looking for a good beer bar in the area Maria's is your best bet.
Where are you staying? If you're close to the L, there are TONS of places, but I'll second @HouseofWortship recommendation of Sheffield's as it's only a short walk from Wrigley and they usually have a great beer selection along with excellent food and an outdoor patio. That doesn't leave a ton of time for beer outside of the stadium, so . . .
Solid options. The Kraft Cave has an incredible selection of local/regional beers in their coolers. I was a little disappointed that the draught options weren't equally as good, but that's a slight complaint given the enormity of the can selection. There are also a couple of stands in the concourse on the 1st/3rd base sides that have a pretty nice selection if you're not wanting to go all the way down to the cave each time. You'll find Surly/Half Acre/Founders and a host of others at these craft stands.
Beer Temple, and Liquor Park have typically had bottle drops about a week after they debut at the Brewpub, if they didn't sell out. I'm sure there's several other places as well. I've noticed they sit a little longer at Liquor Park though.
I see a place called O's Tap that seems to have Mikerphone in bottles. Anyone confirm this? Says on Beer Menus. My buddy lives on the north side, I think he's close to the L.
You are correct. Its near my place so I go there occasionally. They have been one of the few bars in the city that has gotten any Mikerphone in the past year or so as the owner is friends with Mike (I believe). They don't get a lot of their stuff, just a few bottles/kegs each month. And the offerings vary (usually only have 3 or so bottles available at a time and only get a couple kegs a month). But its a nice little dive bar nonetheless. Keep in mind, they are cash only.
