Chicago Half Day

Beer Travel
1

Its time for my annual training in St. Charles, IL, but I gotta hit Chicago before I’m hauled out into the burbs. I’ll only have from about noon until 10 p.m. Last year we had a blast at Lagunita’s. The taproom was closed on Mondays but we took the tour and had a bunch of samples. After the tour, the guides were cool enough to let us hang out and poured us full beers in the tour tasting room. Half Acre’s beers are awesome but the tasting room is closed on Monday.

I’ve heard about a ton of small nano breweries popping up in the city. Which breweries have the best taprooms and the best beers in Chicago these days?

2

I haven’t had any of their beers, but I had dinner with Michael Roper who owns the Hopleaf Bar and asked him what he would recommend to someone as a must-have local beer.  He says these guys are making good stuff.

I also just had someone else tell me that Maria’s Package Goods & Community Bar is the best place ever.

Check them both out if you can.

3

I’ve heard a lot about Revolution

4

Yes.  Their brewery is cool, as is their tap room.  My wife loved their canning line when we took a tour.

5

The brewpub is great and has very good food. The brewery taproom is less crowded, but doesn’t have food.

6

If you can locate some Pipeworks beer, get it.

I’m sipping on their Citra vs. Mandarina right now.  Tasty.  I’m not  a big DIPA guy but this is good stuff.  I’d drink it over Pliny.

7

While I know the OP meant Half Acre I thought I’d throw out the fact that there is a new Half Day Brewing Company that opened on Half Day Road (RTE 22) in Lincolnshire by Milwaukee Ave. Used to be Flatlanders. The beer and food are pretty darn good

8

I thought he meant he’s only in Chicago for a half-day.

9

Forgot to check back on this but coincidentally ended up having lunch (and a bunch of beers) at Revolution’s brewpub in Logan Square. Every single beer was great to excellent. Loved the working woman brown ale, crystal hero, and the Alt beer. Sippin’ on some Half Acre Daisy Cutter and Revolution Fist City pale ale now.