The Windy City is the craft brewing capital of the world. As the winter sets in, there is nothing better than sitting inside a pub on a Saturday night with a pint of your favorite draught beer. Chicago offers a variety of options from Irish pubs to breweries. Chicago has more than 400 craft breweries and taprooms who produce over 4,000 different craft beers! This makes it difficult to pick just one favorite brewery or brewpub in Chicago.
If you’re looking for a fun time, socializing, and a drink with a friend, these are some of the best places to go.
DryHop Brewers
3155 N Broadway, Chicago
Starting our list of best Chicago breweries is DryHop Brewers! This Chicago-based craft brewery provides high quality food and drinks. DryHop is an independent brewery priding themselves on a commitment to balance and flavor. They’ve created a hip and trendy atmosphere to enjoy great food and drinks in a relaxed environment.
DryHob offers offers visitors the opportunity to try new flavors of beer with different tastes, which sets it apart from other breweries. It has been recognized as one of Chicago’s best breweries by many sources, such as The Daily Meal, Thrillist, Eater, Shecky’s Chicago Bar Guide, Time Out Magazine Chicago, The Foodie Hub Guide to Chicago Beer 2018.
Dovetail Brewery
1800 W Belle Plaine Ave
Dovetail Brewery started out in the industrial revolution era, in a space that was previously a woodworking shop. The brewery’s iconic building is a former machine shop which has been converted into Dovetail’s production facility and tasting room.
In 2013, Dovetail was named one of the “50 Great Places to Drink Beer Outside” by GQ magazine. In June of 2016, its Logan Square location made Chicago Magazine’s list of “The Best Beer Bars in Chicago.”
Dovetail Brewery has won several awards for their beers including four medals at the Great American Beer Festival, five medals at the World Beer Championships, and two medals at the North American Brewers Association (Named best small brewery in Illinois by them).
Chicago Goose Island Brewhouse
1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL
Next on our list is the famous Chicago Goose Island Brewhouse. This brewery produces an extensive variety of beers. The first one was opened by John Hall in 1988 with the goal of recreating an atmosphere of an authentic English-style pub.
Goose Island has been around for 30 years, but the company really took off in the U.S. after its IPO in 2013. One of their most successful beers is Goose IPA, which is a new spin on the traditional India Pale Ale, but it still retains an authentic taste of hops and malt with a slight citrus flavor.
Try one for yourself at their famous home base in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Revolution Brewing
3340 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL
Revolution Brewing offers year-round beers such as Anti-Hero IPA, Bottom Up Wit, and Eugene Porter as well as seasonal beers like Fist City Pale Ale and Unsessionable Imperial IPA. It has a tasting room where visitors can sample some of the delicious offerings on tap.
In addition to their award-winning beers, they have mouth-watering pizza slices that are made fresh every day.
Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
1746 W Chicago Ave, Chicago
Closing our list is Forbidden Root—it’s an award-winning gastropub which specializes in locally sourced, beer-centric cuisine. Nestled in Chicago’s scenic Lincoln Square, Forbidden Root provides a cozy environment for people to enjoy good food and great beer.
Forbidden Root’s menu boasts a variety of snacks and entrees. The appetizers include fries with three dipping sauces, fried pickles with spicy honey mustard, and chicken wings with a house made sauce. Their entrees include a burger, fish sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich, and salads. Make sure to finish off your meal with one of the many beers on tap!
…now go find your favorite Chicago brewery.
Chicago is a city of many bars and we hope you’ve enjoyed all of the recommendations in this post. The most important thing to remember with bars is to check out the neighborhood they’re in. This will help you find the bar that best suits your personality and who you want to be with.
