Over the last two decades, beer drinking and the consumers’ taste buds have changed dramatically. Many craft breweries in the Chicago area have stepped up to meet this challenge, bringing different styles of delicious beer that are buzzworthy. Here are some of the best craft breweries in Chicago that you’ll enjoy:
Goose Island Beer Company
Goose Island Beer Company has become an empire for craft beer-making that can’t be matched anywhere else in the country. In 1992, they began using bourbon barrels to age their creamy dark stouts. The bourbon barrel stouts have become a collector’s series, with different batches available only at certain times of the year. Take a tour of their large facility, and if you’re not one for an aged stout, then later check out their many IPA’s fruit and wheat ales that are just as special.
Lagunitas Brewing Company Chicago
If you’re from the Midwest and enjoy craft beer, you’ve probably heard of Lagunitas Brewing Company. This is clear because of their prominent shelf space in local retail stores. When you visit, you will want to check out their brewery tour and then head over for some delicious eats that finish well with their beer. From their “Brown Shugga” and “Undercover Investigation Shut-down”, to their “Little “Sumpin Sumpin”, the quality and huge selection of their beer is top notch.
Pipeworks Brewing Company
Every time you walk through their doors, the experience at Pipeworks is unique and promises a good time. Pipeworks Brewing Company regularly has many beers on tap and rotates special beers that are only available for a limited time. Their beer is delicious and distinctive, while their beer bottles are covered in snazzy artwork.
Open Outcry Brewing Company
This brewery boasts a great atmosphere, along with delicious pizza, loaded fries, and brews. Open Outcry Brewing Company has knowledgeable brew specialists who can give you recommendations based on your palate for craft beverages. This is a favorite craft beer brewery of many in the downtown Chicago neighborhoods.
Half Acre Beer Company
Half Acre Beer Company has two breweries on the north side of Chicago, where you can take a tour and enjoy three samples of its great beer. The artistry on their bottles and cans is done beautifully with such care that you can be certain that the same amount of love went into the beer-making process as well.
Revolution Brewing- Brewery and Taproom
Revolution Brewing has been busy winning awards and recognition for its wonderful brews, which have taken the Midwest by storm. Highly innovative to beer drinkers’ demands, its vast beer portfolio and artwork on its cans are among the best in Chicago. They offer guided tours that follow up with a tasting, where you can glimpse the best Revolution offers.
Adam’s Street Brewery
While only launching in 2018, Adam’s Street Brewery has 120 years of history for beer making in the Berghoff family. Their beer is made in-house, (one of the only breweries that does), in the heart of Chicago. Their delicious beer selection will complement their mouth-watering Reuben sandwich or spicy Adam’s Street wings.
These are some of Chicago’s finest breweries in the downtown area. Which one is your favorite? Which one do you plan on visiting soon?