I’ll be heading to chicago in a few weeks and was looking for some suggestions of good beer spots to go to. I’m already planning on going to the Goose Island brewpub, but was looking for a few more good spots to check out while I’m there.
Someday I’m going put this on a blog or something
Downtown
Clark Street Alehouse is my favorite. Clark and Chicago, just around the corner from the Red Line
Rock Bottom was pretty good but their brewer left to open his own place. Haven’t had any of the new guy’s beers yet. Right over the State and Grand Red Line.
Haymarket is the new place. It’s supposed to be opening soon, but things always take longer in Chicago with permits and such
The Publican is also in that neighborhood. Pricey and I still haven’t been
Out a little farther
Piece. They’ve won a ton of medals. Close to the Damen Blue Line. Total hipster area, if that makes a difference
Revolution. They’ve only been open a short time and they’re next on my list of places to try. Close to the California Blue Line
The Map Room is also in that neighborhood, not as close to an El though
http://www.maproom.com/
Farther still
Hopleaf. My all time favorite in the city, focuses on Belgian beer and usually has 10 or so on tap plus a ton of American craft beers. It’s a $20 cab ride from downtown but the #22 bus stops right there and it’s a reasonable walk from the Berwyn or Argyle Red Line
http://hopleaf.com/
Map Room is cool but it can get crowded. I’ll throw a second in for Piece, good beer and good pizza (non of that Chicago Style garbage). Piece Brewery and Pizzeria | Pizza and Craft Beer (oh yeah and f the hipsters).
Kuma’s Corner has some of the best burgers around and a good beer list. I miss going there, it used to be pretty unknown and got some rave review and is now packed, my buddy that lives right there won’t go back due to the wait. They play Death Metal music but in all other ways isn’t like a typical metal bar, it adds to the fun of it. http://www.kumascorner.com/
Hop Leaf is great. Been to Revolution plenty of times and it’s worth checking out.
I guess the thing to remember is all of these places get Chicago busy on the weekends. An 45 minute or so drive east of the city can get you to Three Floyds.
My experience is that Piece can get even more crowded than the Map Room other than perhaps on International Night (Tuesdays) and certain Beer School nights.
Chris, the new brewer at Rock Bottom - Chicago, is making some excellent beers. I was in last week and he had a smoked helles and a dark lager that were fantastic.
If visiting 3 Floyds, be sure to also visit Flossmoor Station. It’s about 20 minutes away by car. It’s also across the tracks from the Flossmoor Metra (regional rail) station so always an easy trip from the City. Other Metra-friendly pubs are: Emmett’s (both Downers Grove & Palatine), America’s Brewing (Aurora; same line as Downers Grove), and Mickey Finn’s (Libertyville),
Other places worth checking out are: Fountainhead and Bad Apple which are both very close to the Half Acre brewery (they have a shop/tasting room). They’re bars rather than brewpubs but have good selections.
I would also have to add Two Brothers Brewery/Tap House 30 miles west of the city. A little bit of a hike from downtown & can be hard to find
I agree that Three Floyds is a must visit & Flossmoor is great(kicked my bachelor party off there)
If staying in the city Piece, Revolution, Map Room & Goose Island is the way to go.