Revolution Brewing... Which location?

You can check out their separate tap lists via their website, though I find that the brewery is often out of date. The biggest difference is that the pub serves food. It is a popular location and there is a wait for a table at most times. The brewery is more laid back, they do tours, have a beautiful shuffleboard table, and more of their one offs and BA beers on tap than the pub for the most part. You can bring your own food in. I am a fan of picking up some Kumas to go and bringing it over to Rev brewery. Highly recommended.

 

I was just in Chicago two weekends ago. We went to both. They have different tap lists at each place. The brewery is much more laid back and has bottles for sale. The restaurant sells food and had some unique stuff on tap like a cognac barley wine. Both places had great service. We didn't eat, but the food looked really good, and there were many more bat seats than the brewery.

 

The pub is cool, but as above if beer is more your thing, hit up the brewery proper.

If you have time for one more brewery, make it Half Acre or Haymarket. Pipeworks doesn't have a taproom, so that's why I didn't mention them. Also, on your way is 18th Street in Gary. Could be worth the stop as well.

 

It's interesting that several people recomended the Revolution's brewery but not the brew pub. The brew pub on Milwaukee is in my opinion one of the best places to go in Chicago. You can buy beer flights, growlers, and anything else you want. They have a big menu and their food is very good. The only problem is they get really busy at times so you need to plan ahead.

 

I'm a brewery guy. Way laid back, better selection and to go bottles.

 

Well, if your plan is to hit Three Floyds on a Friday night, you may want to have a backup destination - they're sticklers on capacity/seating, so there could very well be a pretty long line if you actually want to go into the pub (could still get bottles at the to-go kiosk though). Maybe 18th Street?

 

I'd agree that you should stop by 18th Street either on the way in or out of Chicago. And FFF will be quite busy on Friday night, unless you just want to go to the kiosk to pick up beer to go (although when I was last there, the selection was no different than what I get at stores here in the city).

 

If you do end up going to Half Acre, keep in mind that it's BYOF, so if you plan on eating while you drink, check out the options around there. There's a Jewel if you want grocery store fare, and Bad Apple is across the street (good burgers and taplist). Half Acre itself is a cool little place, but it is little, so sometimes it's tough to find much room.

 

Bad Apple is legit. Great before/after stop around Half Acre.

 

Agreed. One of the best local, regional, and national taplists in chicago.

 

The brewery has special hours.
Our Kedzie Ave. brewery is open to the public
Wed-Thurs: 2-10pm
Fri: 2-11pm
Sat: noon-11pm
Sun: noon-8pm

I believe Rev Taproom is also BYOF, right?

 

The biggest reason to hit the brewery proper if you are just looking to kick back and enjoy some beers in a laid back environment. The Pub is always very busy.

 

We tried to go to FFF on Sunday two weeks ago (weekend before DL Day) after a weekend in Chicago. Showed up ten minutes after it opened. Line was long and out the door. We waited for 15 minutes without the line moving before we left.

 

You'd be better off going to FFF at 11pm on Friday than 12-3 on a Sunday.

 

Hmm been to Half Acre many times and Never stopped at Bad Apple...will have to next time. I periodically drive south and hit up Half Acre and Revs brewery. Will add Bad Apple to the list now.

 

my wife and i are headed to chicago from detroit in june. we plan on stopping at 18th street and fff, just for 1-2 grab beers and some bottles. i've never been to either before. i've heard so many great things about 18th street, so i feel it's a must stop over fff personally. not saying it's a better brewery before some people get upset with me, lol.