I am traveling to Chicago in early march with my student finance organisation for a FMA conference. I am wanting to try some local or at least beer not distributed in Missouri. The problem is that since it is a school trip I will be forced to pick restaurant or bars that everybody else agrees on. I enjoy most styles, so please list anything you think is a must try that is found throughout the city. Thanks in advance!
Revolution Anti Hero (IPA) and Half Acre Daisy Cutter (pale ale) are the first beers that come to mind when I think of readily available beers throughout the city. If not one of those 2 beers, most respectable restaurants will have at least something from one of those 2 breweries.
Anything from Half Acre, Two Brothers, Solemn Oath or Urban Legend. These aren't distributed very far from Chicago.
You shouldn't have a problem finding a few Revolution brews at most places. Try for the Anti-Hero or Eugene Porter (if that's your thing). Also Half Acre Daisy Cutter is another solid option that's fairly easy to find. I recommend nabbing any HA you can.
Relatively easy to find right now in Chicago at a bar: Three Floyds: Zombie Dust, Alpha King, Gumballhead Two Brothers: SideKick, Cane and Ebel, Outlaw, Bitter End Revolution: Anti-Hero, Double Fist, A Little Crazy Half Acre: Daisy Cutter, Big Higs Off Color: Scurry, Troublesome Metropolitan: Flywheel, Magnetron Surly: Overrated, Furious, Bender, Coffee Bender, Hell, CynicAle Pipeworks doesn't have a big keg presence in Chicago yet but if you see any, get it. Also Spiteful. Bombers are pretty pricey at a bar - hit a liquor store if at all possible.
Thank you guys I will definitely try some Half Acre and Three Floyds. I really hope I can get time to head to a liquor store.
We just got Ale Asylum and 4 hands, they are all over the place now. Ale Asylum Bedlam, a all Citra hop Belgium style IPA is amazing 4-hands, Bona Fide Imperial Stout is also very good.
Thanks to everybody for the recommendations. Last week I was able to try Green Line and Ten Hills by Goose Island Anti-Hero Side Kick and Domaine Dupage by Two Brothers John Henry 3 Lick Spiker Ale by Cold Spring The Anti-Hero was by far my favorite. I have tried quite a few IPA's and Anti-Hero was probably in the top 5 I have tried, very drinkable and wish they had it here in MO.
I was able to recommend different styles to a friend and a my teacher on the trip. It was nice that the teacher was wanting to try something that was local. The receptionist at the hotel knew the owners at Pipeworks and said she used to help bottle for them in exchange for a couple beers. I told her that I was doing a project for school of conducting research and trying to help a microbrewery company start in KC and she tired to arrange a tour for us but they did not do public tours on the weekends.
If you are trying to get people out to eat, I recommend going to Revolution's brewpub. The food is outstanding and all their beers are on tap. They don't take reservations though, so if you show up at 7, there might a little wait. Do this early in your trip, because aside from getting to try some of their stuff, you will also get your fellow travelers talking about good beer, which will make it that much easier to steer them around to other beer joints during your trip. If you hit any stores, Pipeworks Ninja v. Unicorn and Amarillo are both fresh and outstanding right now. If every other brewery closed, I could live a long and happy drinking life with Pipeworks alone. Good luck!
