The visiting Chicagoland resource thread (Spring 2018)

Check out the must hit places in the original post, and just choose a couple that look most convenient or have stuff on tap you're most interested in. Not knowing where you'll be, I would say Corridor for sure, if you're into hazy IPAs. I'd probably also do Half Acre.

 

...when I get back in maybe November, I'm actually going to check out On Tour Brewing... never made it there last year, one of my few 'regret' misses. They were also just listed in the recent BA copy of some of the best 50 new breweries list. Curious what they have to offer. I don't even see a thread for them in the "Great Lakes" forum. seems odd.

 

Thanks, I was staying near Au Cheval, didn't make it up to Corridor due to time restrictions but I was able to make it to Forbidden Root and then Goose Island. Also got to check out More on the way to the airport which was probably my Favorite. I was hoping to try Mikerphone but they were close for a wedding.

Lots of great beer on tap all over, and the bar next to Au Cheval was a nice place to wait.

 

I thought they were very average. It was a perfectly nice place to grab a beer, but no different than 25 other breweries I’ve visited across the country.

However, it’s a 5 min walk from Goose Fulton, and 10-15 walk from Forbidden Root, so it’s right near some cool areas.

 

I may have been a bit harsh. I thought the beers were fine. I’m glad I went, but would never go out of my way to return, especially wit Goose, Forbidden Root, and a number of decent beer bars around. And I live in the area.

It’s worth a stop, and a cool space, but there are so many absolutely world class places to spend money on a regular basis, it’s tough to justify spending money at a place that is “solid”.

However, if you’re visiting Goose, and aren’t from the area, you should absolutely take a half hour and visit on tour for a beer or 2.

 

I am on board with all the changes.

I really think Dovetail's status as best lager/Euro brewery in the area is unquestioned, and as lagers are on an upswing, that makes them doubly important to note. They are consistent and high quality. Their lambics finally came of age as well, which makes them finally more desirable to those who primarily seek "hype."

Off Color is incredibly consistent across a really wide variety of unique styles. Their location is fairly convenient. The vibe of the place is also unique and fun.

Maplewood is not bad (and often is very good), but they are not doing anything exemplary that another local is not doing better, and on a national stage, they're barely worth a blip. The vibe is cool, though, and being a distillery is a distinguishing feature, so I could go either way on moving them.

I have never hsd a problem with More on any levrk, but outside of their stouts, they are not really all that special either (allegedly, since I have not had the urge to wait for them). The Frooted series is somewhat unique, I suppose, and the food really is good, so I could again go either way.

All the others certainly deserve mentions. They do exist after all and are decent stops, plus Begyle is so close to Dovetail.

 

Apparently you don't know @croush very well

 

Headed to Chicago at the end of September for work. I'll only have one afternoon/evening to myself before meetings start, so I need to make a surgical strike and get the best bang for my buck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm staying at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront on E Upper Wacker Drive - getting in probably on a Tuesday afternoon. I'd like to try some good local/regional hazy IPA's, stouts or darker beers (strong/old ales, etc), or sours either at local breweries or pubs. I'd also like to stop by a couple of bottle shops to bring back some local stuff for my bottle share group.

Here are some thoughts - let me know if this makes sense, and suggestions are very welcome. There's a Binny's nearby, so I can definitely hit that up (do they usually have local/unique stuff?). Monk's is within walking distance so I can go there for some pours. Timothy O'Tooles and Jack Melnick's are close enough to get to easily, as well.

As for breweries it looks like the closest to the hotel would be Goose Island Fulton St. and Forbidden Root. Does Goose Fulton ever have rare-ish bottles for take away? How's Forbidden Root?

I think that would be the farthest I would go by Uber as I would need to pay for the transportation for beer escapades on my own dime. Although, I don't know much about the public transit in Chicago. If it's possible to go further out relatively easily in an afternoon/evening I'd be OK with that.

 

Awesome, thanks! I'll check out Corridor too.

 

If you end up going north to Corridor you have a couple of close options if you have additional free time.

You'll likely find everything you need/want at Binny's Grand. However, 10-15 minutes walking from Corridor or 2 minutes walking from the the Brown line stop after Southport is a nifty slashie in Bitter Pops. About a block or two south is a chill neighborhood bar serving primarily Belgian beer called The Green Lady.

 

from downtown, at Clark and Lake station (EL), just go north on the brown line. Southport stop for Corridor, then West Irving - Montrose stops get you to Begyle, Dovetail and Half Acre. Perfect 4-fecta for an afternoon evening.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED> Otherwise... tough to haul across the city unless you're lyft'ing everywhere. Have fun!

 

I finally got my accommodations sorted out for a visit in the first weekend of august. We are going to be staying near the corner of Milwaukee and Belmont. Our group loves european style beers generally so Dovetail is probably our top priority. After that I was wondering what you alls thoughts were on Revolution v. Corridor? I see that both are must hit and both are near where we will be staying, but given that it is not actually a beercation (at least according to some in the group) and we will only be there two nights I don't know that I will be able to wrangle three brewery trips. We will be rolling about 8 deep with one well behaved 3 year old so, do either or both sell food? are either or both open for lunch/earlier dinner? How is the breadth of their style offerings? Everyone likes lots of different kind of beers but none of us are haze obsessed and I know some of the crowd lean toward lagers and lighter ales (especially in the summer).
Thanks for the help, I wish everywhere I visited had a nice thread like this.

 

definitely Revolution, given your parameters, tastes, and location. and the seating situation is far better as well.

you should sneak in Hopewell because it's also close to your area and offers lighter styles

 

Both are great options and both do serve food from early lunch on. Given your group's preferences, I'd lean Rev. They have a more extensive taplist and always have a variety of styles. They can also easily accommodate larger groups. Just be sure to go to the brewpub location (2323 N Milwaukee) and not the brewery location (3340 N Kedzie), as the brewery does not serve food.

You didn't mention picking anything up to take home, but given where you are staying, hit the Beer Temple if you want to pick up anything to go. They also have a taproom onsite if you have some time to spare.

 

Based on where you are staying, Metropolitan might be the better choice for german styles. Easy double stop with Beer Temple.

 

But Dovetail's beers reach much higher highs (and are more consistent overall), and they do a wider variety of styles. I like Metro a lot, but they're nowhere near as good as Dovetail. I'd hit both, but if I could only hit one, Dovetail is the sure winner. If only they'd brew a koelsch...

With that amount of people and a three-year-old, I don't think Corridor is a good option. It is very small, always packed, and they don't take reservations; I don't even think they have a table that could accommodate eight people comfortably. They make great beer, but as @KidGalaga stated, Revolution has an infinitely wider variety of styles. Have fun!