Thanks in advance -
I am in Chicago for a couple of days (daughter graduating from Depaul University) - and taking one day for myself to go visit some breweries and beer bars -
Any recommendations?
What kind of beer do you typically like to drink? I can help point you in a few directions.
hopleaf
+1 on Hopleaf. Fountainhead (which is not too far from Depaul) has a fantastic selection. Local Option has a nice regional selection, plus some of their own beers. However it’s a bit of a ‘metal’ bar - loud music later in the evening.
Agree with both choices, although never get beer when I go to Fountainhead, I go for the bourbon selection.
May want to list where you’re staying, as you may have some choices that are walking distance that will be more ‘worth it’ than trying to schlep all over just to get to one that might be the ‘best’. Driving can be a real headache there.
Sage advice. Travel in the city can be a bit of a PITA.
If you’re looking to drink local, Half Acre tap room or Revolution Brewing tap room.
As far as beer bars go, I like the Map Room. Hopleaf is nice too (plus good food), I just prefer the vibe at Map Room.
Dovetail
The Mousetrap (Off Color brewery)
Both making great local brews.
I’m not a beer-nerd, but have observed the following near-ish DePaul (i.e. a short-ish uber):
Local Option (probably a walk) http://localoptionbier.com/on-tap/
Bangers and Lace http://www.bangersandlacechicago.com
The Map Room https://www.maproom.com/
Sleeping Village https://sleeping-village.com/
These are all cool neighborhood bars with a fairly nerdy beer selection. Most, if not all, have their beer list online.
Hopleaf and Fountainhead also cool, just more of a trek.
I am going to be all over the place. Staying by the O’Hare Airport - and only picking a few. I am going to a few German restaurants while I am there - (I own a Bavarian-influenced brewery/wine bar/restaurant) so like to see what others like me are doing -
I’m in the biz, so pretty much all styles. Lagers are always my focus though -
Thanks everyone!
There are “a few” German restaurants left in Chicago? I usually go to Milwaukee or the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle.
For German restaurants my votes would be:
The radler
Funkenhausen
Bouefhaus
Although none of these are really “traditional” German. All the old school German places seem underwhelming to me (although I haven’t been to many of them). Sort of the equivalent of old school Italian places with red checkered table clothes, lasagna and chicken parmigiana.
Went to Funkenhausen a few months ago and it was great. There’s a Haufbrauhaus in Rosemont by O’hare. Just a tap room but my favorite is Buckledown in Lyons, IL.
Then you should focus solely on places that are easy to get to from the Blue line. Within that, I’d say:
Revolution (you’ll want the one on Milwaukee, not Kedzie)
Map Room
Maplewood
Bangers&Lace
Old Irving Brewing
Awesome - thanks Clayton - this is what I was looking for - something a little more ‘alternative’ with a German slant -
How is Metropolitan? They are lager focused aren’t they?
Thanks Keith - was wondering about Old Irving Brewing - I’ve been to Revolution and the Map Room - love them both, but Old Irving is in my line of fire - I’ll definitely go check them out -
Fully agree with Keith, a blue line tour sounds they way to go here. Which will work well as that gives you West Town, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, Avondale and Irving Park as neighborhoods.
Will your day of indulging be a weekend or a week day? (it impacts what’s open early and where you might start first).
Clayton
Dovetail tends to focus on making German styled beers