The visiting Chicagoland resource thread (Spring 2018)

looks like these are out of the question.
Binny's it is...

 

I think Mikerphone is worth a stop. Really good beer and they will have some bottles (although the more in demand stuff goes quickly).

 

For proximity between O'hare and Schaumburg, I agree with Mikerphone. It's pretty much en route. Check their site for hours and they are closed on Tuesdays as well. Then you can stop at the Binny's in Schaumburg to pick up anything else.

 

Coming for a visit this weekend. Curious what shelf beers/brewery-only (can/bottle/growler/crowler)/or releases you'd recommend seeking out. Will have a vehicle, but will mostly be between Wrigley and FFF over the course of the weekend.
Mostly interested in IPAs and dark/BA dark beers.
Thanks in advance!

 

Check out Corridor and Forbidden Root for their selections, and try to swing by Begyle to see if Saint Errant’s new one is available. You can then also hang out at Begyle and Dovetail, which are both right nearby.

 

I'm heading to Chicago for a wedding next weekend and I'm looking for some recommendations based on where I'll be and when I'll be available.

I'll be in the area from 5/31 until 6/4 but the only days I will be available to hunt down some good stuff is going to be Friday 6/1 and Sunday 6/3. I'm open to places where I can buy things to do as well as try some hard to find stuff on draft.

I'm staying in the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake and I do have a rental car and plan to get into the city on Sunday and maybe stay in the burbs on Friday but that can change depending on recommendations.

Looking for any hazy/NE IPAs and stouts I can get my hands on. I also like sours so if something is can't miss I'll grab it.

Mikerfone and More are both on my must stop list and it looks like Binny's Algonquin is only 15 minutes away so I'll definitely be running over there. Is there any way to know if Mikerfone and More (or anywhere else between Chicago and Crystal lake) will have anything available to go (cans or bottles) and if there is a release I need to get to at a certain time? I'm used to the northeast where everything is gone the day it's released.

Any other recommendations?

 

I’m not an expert on the burbs but your best bet is to follow the breweries on IG and FB. Mikerphone will have something available, but some stuff sells out in a day or two. Not sure if More has any canning runs coming up - they have had roadblocks getting their canning consistent and I can’t recall if they have their own now. But, you can get crowlers from More so that helps.

As for the city, I’d refer back to the OP to see what is recommended.

 

Thanks for the great advice on this thread so far. I’ll be in town last week of June for a conference, staying at the Hyatt Regency. Will be going with a younger (31) female work colleague who isn’t super into the beer scene. Where would be a place close by (walking distance or short Uber) with good food and a decent beer list of stuff I can’t get in MI? I’m into IPAs/haze and such. TIA!

 

Id go to Cruz Blanca or Forbidden Root, both have a lot for you and her, lots of things not available in Michigan. Kumas West Loop maybe.

 

If you’re mostly in the River North area, a couple bars with decent food and nice taplists are Jake Melnick’s and Timothy O’Toole’s. They are sports bar type places if that’s your thing as well.

I’d definitely go to Kuma’s as suggested above.

 

You could walk to Monk’s Pub - usually have a decent list.

 

Does anyone know if there are any good bottle shops, breweries, or bars/restaurants with good beer near the Crystal Lake Holiday Inn? I’ll be there late tonight until Monday and will have a car but with family i am hoping for places close by.

 

Not sure about breweries, but there should be a binnys relatively close by, and they’ll have a great selection.

 

Thanks for all the input on this thread. Was very helpful for my trip to Chicago in March and will be helpful for my trip this week.

My wife and I are planning on hitting up Une Annee/Hubbard's Cave Thursday and were looking to possibly hit Mikerphone while up that direction. My question to all of you: is Mikerphone's draft list usually that stout heavy? Was surprised to not see more NE IPA options on draft and the 5 of 7 beers being stouts, especially given the season.

 

They mentioned on FB the lack of IPAs will be rectified later this week. You should be good but check on it before you go.

 

Thanks for the response Jaycase. Will check them out before we head that direction.

Was a huge fan of Corridor and Forbidden Root during my last stop. My wife and I plan on hitting those on Wednesday, followed by Goose Island.

Which of the Goose Island locations have a better vintage bottle list? Fulton or Clybourn? I've been to the Fulton Street location and was impressed, but not sure what Clybourn has to offer.

Thanks in advance from this lurker. Again, great thread and super helpful!

 

I'm pretty sure that Fulton will have better vintage bottle selections. Clybourn tends to have a pretty small selection of that...but you get the beers on draft that they brew there. If you're focus is on trying for some vintage bottles, I would head to Fulton.

 

Headed to Chicago tonight for a wedding. I have time to hit one or 2 breweries/bars tomorrow. Too many places to choose, can anyone help? (Gonna pop into Mikerphone on the way to the venue.)