Chicago Suburbs Recommendations Please

Noon Whistle is very good and they have expanded past their original focus on session beers. Their current focus is on their New England IPA series. My current favorite is Church Street in Itasca. They tend to focus on more traditional German styles with their Heavenly Helles being their flagship. They just recently came out with a Zwickel that is very good. Both of these breweries are only tap rooms and do not serve food although there are a ton of food options around Noon Whistle and you can bring food into both.

 

Noon Whistle is a must, your near Church Street so could definitely make a trip there. Red Arrow is Illinois' first pour your own beer bar which usually has a nice selection in Elmhurst. RAM in Schaumburg has some solid offerings.

 

I would definitely lean Noon Whistle. The Ram is a maybe, they don't always have the interesting stuff and I haven't tried anything since Shaun left.

Exit Strategy is very close to me. I went a few times shortly after opening. The beer is just okay, though the food is decent. I would really only go if you're going to eat.

 

Do a Noon Whistle - Lunar Combo. They are only about 3 miles apart. The Lunar flies under the radar.

 

You're also 10 minutes from Mikerphone.

 

Oh yeah, its says that. I don't know where you'll be in Wood Dale but there's this little hole in the wall dive bar on Irving Park called JB's Inn and they always have something crazy on tap if you're looking for something to do later in the night.

 

Your story checks out...just looked on their beermenus page, Birthday Bomb on tap!! Updated yesterday.

 

I would agree with both Noon Whistle and Church Street, not terribly far from one another either.

Bigbys Pour House also is a solid little joint off I think Lake Street? It is near Church Street...

I would agree Noon Whistle and Church Street are two solid locations to check out relative to where you are staying, I do like Alter, but it is a bit of a hike further south imo.

 

Kuma's Corner in Schaumburg isn't a far drive from Wood Dale. Almost always have some good options available for places you won't have time to make it to.

https://www.taphunter.com/location/kumas-corner-schaumburg/5586099987546112#tab_tap

 

+1 for Kuma's Corner. It's not a brewery, but they've got GREAT craft beer on tap, their people are super-knowledgeable about beer, and their burgers rock!

There's also the Luck Monk, http://www.theluckymonk.com/, in Barrington. They brew great beer and serve up really good food. It's just off of I-90.

 

I also checked JB's tap list , they are pouring High Life!! Must be a solid place!!

 

Imperial Oak is really good, but is probably at the edge of your range.

I love Solemn Oath in Naperville, but that's probably 35-45 mins from Wood Dale.

 

I think the Wild Onion is much better than the Lucky Monk, but just my opinion.

To the OP - you've got some decent options and even more if you expand your search a bit.

Going south, you could hit any type of combo of Miskatonic Brewing (Darien), Alter Brewing previously mentioned (Downers Grove), Pollyanna Brewing (Lemont), Metal Monkey are all within a 20 minute radius about 30-40 minutes south of Wood Dale i believe.

Around Wood Dale is Church St. (Itasca), Noon Whistle (Lombard), Lunar Brewing (Lombard). Also Ram Brewing is in Schaumburg.

You won't be disappointed if you go to Noon Whistle though. If possible, i'd make a trip to Noon Whistle, then maybe south to Miskatonic and Pollyanna. Pollyanna is in downtown Lemont, i've been to a good Polish/German spot for lunch one time near the brewery there.

 

A trip to Solemn Oath has to include The Bavarian Lodge just east on Ogden.

 

I would avoid Alter. The beer is pretty average in my opinion. I think Rock Bottom-Lombard has better beer to be honest. The tap room itself is gorgeous, but not worth a $20 uber ride.

All the recs are spot on so you'll be alright..the Noon Whistle / Lunar is a pretty good combo as both are very close to each other.

 

Lunar will be a good spot to stop for a beer while you're waiting in line for the More Brewing grand opening.