Chicago Breweries

No Pipeworks to go to, where in Chicago are you staying and are looking to travel? Car/uber?

 

My two cents would be go to Half Acre and Revolution. Visited both last year and liked both places. Revolution was only a block or so from one of the El stops. Goose Island and Lagunitas may also get a few mentions from folks. Enjoy your trip, I'll be heading there 7/5-7/9.

 

@ScottDawg7 is right that Half Acre and Revolution are popular. I am partial to Goose Island Clybourn, though - I think they do a better job of having a good variety - and these are one off beers that you'll never likely see anywhere else (although they do also have the standard 312, Goose IPA type of stuff). I'd put Half Acre behind the GI Clybourn and Revolution, actually. I like some of their beers, but have only been to the taproom once and wasn't terribly impressed. I still haven't been to Laugunitas, but it's on my radar.

A new one in the city that is getting some love is Dovetail that could be worth checking out. It's pretty close to Half Acre and also very close to Begyle.

 

I have yet to find a beer I enjoy at GI Clybourn. I have been twice and doubt I'll ever go back. It also just feels... old. Half Acre and Revolution are what I think of when I think of tap rooms. Both are very different, but they're more along the lines of what I see when I travel.

That said, a lot of people do enjoy GI - just wanted to give you another opinion/perspective.

 

They have no NE style IPA's, so I love it.

I don't know how it compares to other places across the country, but there's something cozy about it (maybe your "old" is my "cozy"). I find their one off beers just as good as anyone else's, plus if they have something barrel-aged, it's way better than Half Acre (no BA stuff) or Revolution (I've never cared for their BA offerings).

Of course, it also impacts me that it is also a family friendly restaurant where I can sit in an area with my kids and have dinner while I enjoy some of the beers. Now my girls recognize the Goose Island logo wherever they see it...looks like that Dad of the Year award won't be coming my way.

 

Lagunitas is worth going for the pure spectacle/sensory overload. Just a cool place. Plus they have both Waldo and Born Again Yesterday on tap (or did last Saturday anyways)

 

To the OP, his description is spot on. It's not exactly my scene (no kids, not my favorite beer), but it is definitely a big part of the Chicago beer scene. It really all depends on what you want.

 

You can hit Half Acre than take a short stroll over to Begyle Brewing. After that head over to Dovetail Brewery.

Have a great trip!

 

Glad I keep rechecking this post since will be there in couple weeks too. Going to add Begyle and Dovetail to places I'm going to try and get to. I remember Revolution being right off one of the El stops and seems Dovetail may be as well. Remember walking a good way from an El stop to get to Half Acre, maybe I didn't get off at closest one. Can anyone give best El stop(s)/walking info if wanted to hit Revolution, Half Acre, Dovetail, Begyle, and Lagunitas? First to last. I'll check hours of operation for each, know one doesn't open until 4:00 pm so would be one of my later stops. Am staying at hotel off S Lasalle St. And probably doing my beer day on a Wednesday.

 

Half Acre and Goose get my vote.

Half Acre is awesome, if you go when it's busy be prepared to leave hoarse as you'll have to talk extremely loud to communicate in the space.

Goose Island- if you want a laid back, Cheers like bar, where you can talk beer, always get a seat, and are okay trying great beer that leans towards the more traditional styles, this is your place.

If you aren't in Revolution's distro area, go try it, but otherwise they never seem to have any one offs you can't purchase at a store there. It just strikes me as a baby GI, albeit a bit more "sceney" for those who want a hipper, faux old bar.

Pipeworks sucks. Extremely creative folks, they make excellent high abv beer and Lizard King, but despite being around for longer than the majority of Chicago breweries, they still haven't cared enough to open a tap room or brewpub....

Edit: Also, forgot Piece Brewery and Pizza. Do yourself a favor and stop there for pizza and beer. I'd put it above Rev which you can get anywhere these days.

 

Agree with croush on GI Clybourn and Revolution. Also the Lincoln Park Binny's is right next to GI with a taproom and huge supply of local brew to haul or ship back.

 

Another vote for Half Acre and GI. Half Acre is right near the Bad Apple which has awesome burgers and a great beer list as a bonus, and GI is across from Lincoln Park Binny's, the best of the Binny's. GI is my favorite brewpub thanks to a combo of food (love the All American burger), beer and ambiance.

Haven't checked out Lagunitas yet, but I've heard nothing but good things about the taproom itself, and if they've got Waldo's Special Ale on tap, that's worth trying fresh.

 

Has anyone tried Cruz Blanca yet? If it's halfway decent, it might make a Haymarket and Cruz Blanca trip worthwhile since they are down the block from each other.

 

Okay, not to hijack, but I'm genuinely curious... what GI Clybourn beers have any of you had that were any good? The pale ale's they make are the absolute worst in the city/state.

I have literally never had a beer I liked from there.

 

I visited Cruz Blanca. I sampled a few of their beers. I thought it was good, worth returning. Their tacos were very good also. I had a Biere De Gard, a Porter, and a Pilsner beer I enjoyed them all.

 

They have made plenty of very good beers. How many times have you been there? Did you only drink pales?

I've had some very good draft only BA stouts there, some very good Belgian style's as well.

 

I've been there twice. And no, I get tasters of the pales hoping they'll be decent and they disappoint every time. They didn't have any BA stuff when I was there. Impervious was probably the best beer (stout) I've had there. Everything is just pretty "meh".

They consistently switch up their lineup, but it doesn't compare to the lineups at breweries I have visited around the country.