The visiting Chicagoland resource thread (Spring 2018)

Why isn't Tapster in Wicker Park on the list? Great rotating beers and good place to bring your friends or anyone who dislike beers because this bar has wine, cider and cocktails on tap as well.

 

Anyone been to On Tour brewing? Thinking about stopping by there tonight

 

I have not but intend to soon, based on both a recommendation from my brother in law and this: https://www.porchdrinking.com/articles/2017/10/10/on-tour-brewing-cleans-2017-gabf/

 

I've been, and thought it was OK. Nothing more, nothing less really. I wouldn't discourage someone from going there, but I wouldn't put it on the top of any list to get to.

 

Didn’t see that, will definitely have to check it out now

 

I would add Iron & glass in Romeoville to the list, usually a solid tap list and a good bottle shop.

 

I go there a lot. Their beers are generally true to style and tend to be solid, but not exactly knock-your-socks-off. Their IPAs lean more towards west coast and do a nice job showcasing the hops. That maibock is phenomenal but I doubt that it'll be on yet. The space itself is a cool place to hang out.

 

I thought this one was good for a Chicago haze style.
Also hit up Mikerphone on Monday and Wednesday for some early evening pours.

 

@Brown120 - tagging you to bring this thread up the top for your upcoming visit.

 

Going to a show at Northerly Island on a Wed in early June. Buddy wants to maybe hit Lo Rez before hand. We'll be coming from Logan Square and have a good handle on that territory and places in between. Will be using a combo of public trans and Uber. Any recs for other things near-ish to Northerly? Just not an area we're usually in so I don't have much of an informed opinion.

 

They only thing I can think of somewhat near Northerly Island is Flo & Santos. I’ve never been, but from seeing some of their tappings, they could have a good beer selection.

 

I feel like Dovetail should be in the "Highly Recommended-Must Hit" breweries when this thread is refreshed for summer. They're sitting at a 4.06 average with not a single trendy style in their portfolio (granted they don't have many reviews on many beers). They're easily the best German/European brewery in Chicago (probably Illinois), and are among the top 10-20 German/European breweries in the country. This is especially true with lagers rising in popularity, and they will likely gain a lot of hype when their lambic is eventually mature enough to bottle. It seems sort of silly to have two Half Acre locations (which are pretty damn close together) and two Revolution locations (which, I grant you, are far apart and fairly different as to vibes and what they serve) but Dovetail doesn't get recognition.

I think Off Color deserves the same standing since they are probably the most unique brewery in the city (along with Forbidden Root and Dovetail) while maintaining a very high level of consistency and being in very close proximity to Binny's Lincoln Park and Goose Island. The Mousetrap is such a cool space, too.

 

A couple things. I think Metropolitan needs to be on the list. Taproom is gorgeous, and will be a staple of mine this summer once they have the outdoor area set-up.

I’d reccomemd Forbidden Root. They are 1 and 1a with Corridor in terms of hazy IPAs, and they’ll probably have cans of Radio Swan, especially if you ask @KrajDoesBeer to hold you some.

Their non-IPAs are great as well, and they usually have a sold guest tap list.

It’s not near Hancock, but it’s not far either. You could take a 15 min bus ride from Hackcock to Forbidden Root or vice verse, as they are basically directly on the same line.

Also, Forbidden Root is super close to Goose Island taproom, which usually has at least 1 or 2 things worth checking out, and sometimes much more.

 

I'll provide a counterpoint and say that I'm good with Dovetail where it's at on the Chicagoland list. Solid beers and what seems like a fun place, based on my one visit. I know that's a small sample size, but in our city of many breweries, it just didn't stand out to me in order to say it's on a short list of must-visit places.

 

I'd report you for sure!

I definitely wasn't trying to be a jerk with my comment, just wanted to keep perspective on the place and not have it get added to the Highly Recommended list so quickly. I think it's a nice spot that is VERY specialized. I think most folks going to a brewery generally expect a varying amount of styles they are used to, and that's not what Dovetail does. That's not necessarily a bad thing, it just has to come with some caveats when suggesting Dovetail...which is why I wouldn't say it's a Highly Recommended "Must Hit".

 

@flat_lander Mastodon/Primus? I’ll be there too. Vice District is close but, I don’t know much about them. I’ll probably go to Monk’s or Haymarket then head over.

 

Nearly every post looking for recommendations I've seen online includes recs for Dovetail, I know I recommend it as highly as any brewery. I'd also vote for highly recommended. Off Color fits that for me too.