Are you in Chicago and looking where to find a good local pint? Chicago is a great city to enjoy a local micro-brew in one of our fantastic neighborhoods. Many restaurants have enough space to brew their own beer like Berghoff’s, Gino’s East, and Rock Bottom, but if you want to try multiple Chicago Brews, these bars are great. Everyone has their favorite places for a pint, of course. Here are some of our favorite places for local beers and as well as a list of where to find the best local breweries.
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Chicago brew pubs
Howells and Hood 435 N. Michigan Ave. Closest el stop: Red line Grand
The the top of the Magnificent Mile downtown in Chicago, Howells and Hood is at the base of the Tribune Tower. After nerding out over the history of the building, pop in for a choice of 114 unique craft beers. 20 percent of them are from Chicago. You will pass this restaurant while on our Magnificent Mile Tour or the Riverwalk Tour.
Bad Apple 4300 N. Lincoln Ave. Closest el stop: Brown line Montrose
Fantastic burgers and fried beer-battered cheese curds with homemade buttermilk-ranch dipping sauce. Plus, there so many choices when it comes to beer: there are 25 on tap, 153 different bottles, and 41 cans.
Hopleaf 5148 N. Clark. Closest el stop: Red line Berwyn or Argyle
In the heart of Andersonville, Hopleaf if a great place to clink glasses. Their specialties are frosty beers on draft and delicious mussels served either Belgian-style or Roasted in Lobster-Curry Broth. They update their menus frequently and often have special events for charity. While in Andersonville, check out self-guided Andersonville Tour.
The Maproom is meant to be a bar for travelers which is why they they beers from all over the world! They believe that beer is an “everyman” drink so it connect people together. The Maproom doesn’t have food- but they are A-ok with you bringing your own. In the morning, you can get coffee and pastries from a local baker.
Fountainhead 1970 W. Montrose. Closest el stop: Brown line Montrose
Fountainhead has an incredible beer selection, but it doesn’t stop at beer. If you are a bourbon, whiskey, or scotch whiskey fan- the menu is long and filled with local flavor. They also have a fantastic garden rooftop deck (which is obviously seasonal.)
Sheffield’s 3258 N. Sheffield. Closest el stop: Red line Addison
The wine and beer garden at Sheffield’s is a perfect location to spend a summer night in Chicago. They rotate their beer list daily. They are known for their barbeque and “beer school”- a sort of bar within a bar of fantastic brews.
Chicago Brewery Tours
4257 N. Lincoln Ave
Cost: $10 Cash (No Reservations)
Tour Times: Most Saturdays at 11am
Commute: Best option for commuting from the Loop: El train Brown line Montrose
Half Acre has been around since 2008 and they’ve been growing! They’ve expanded with a second location. Their Tap room has food, beer, and Dark Matter coffee (if you are the designated driver, of course!) The tour includes at least 3 tastings and a souvenir pint glass to take home. This is another “first come first served” tour without reservations.
1800 W Fulton St.
Cost: $12
Tour Times: Thursday & Friday 3PM, 4PM, 5PM, 6PM/ Saturday & Sunday 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM
Commute: Best option for commuting from the Loop: el train Green or Pink Ashland Stop
Goose Island is celebrating their 25th anniversary since opening in 1988. They’ve come a far way since being a small local brew and you can actually find their beer at Target. Their tour lasts 45 minutes and you can enjoy samples in your own pint glass. They also have a tap room available for drinking without the touring.
3340 N. Kedzie Ave.
Cost: Complimentary (No reservations)
Tour Times: Wednesday through Friday at 6pm and 7pm; Saturday and Sunday tours at 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, and 6pm.
Commute: Best option for commuting from the Loop: el train Blue line Belmont
Revolution has an iconic logo of a pumping fist! Look for it at local bars or even popular stores and grocery stores in the area. The Kedzie Ave brewery which opened in 2012, is one of the largest breweries in Illinois. The tour is complimentary but there are no reservations so it is first come- first served. They recommend arriving early for a pre-tour pint in their tap room.
1800 W. Cuyler, 1E
Cost: $10
Tour Times: Saturdays at 12pm
Commute: Best option for commuting from the Loop: el train Brown line Irving Park
This local brewer is conveniently located off of the Brown Line in North Center. You receive many samples during the tour and leave with a complimentary tulip glass. They also have great specials in their tap room: $2 off 22oz bottles on Tuesday, $2 off 32 oz. growler fills on Wednesdays and $1 off 22oz. bottles on Thursdays.
1843 S Washtenaw Ave.
Cost: No cost (No Reservations)
Tour Times: Mondays and Tuesday at 1pm and 3pm; Wednesday and Thursday at 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm; Saturdays hourly from 1pm-7pm; Sundays hours from 1pm-6pm
Commute: Best option for commuting from the Loop: Driving or El train Pink line California-Cermak.
Although Lagunitas brew in California AND Chicago- They are still local since their founder is from Rogers Park (Chicago). Their tour requires no reservations and their tap room is open Wednesday-Sunday.
4565 N Elston Ave
Cost: $10
Tour Times: Saturdays 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm
Commute: Best option for commuting from the Loop: El train Blue line Montrose
Arrive early to start sampling for this 45 minute long brewery tour. The building is not labeled- so look for a black brick facade with a red door! You will learn about the company and their reasons for always canning their beers. They also have a lovely tap room that has food!
737 W. Randolph St.
Cost: $15
Tour Times: Sundays 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm
Commute: Best option for commuting from the Loop: El train Green/Pink to Morgan/Lake
This is a full bar, restaurant and brewery with a tour! It is also the closest brewery located to downtown Chicago which makes it perfect for a fun afternoon downtown. Enjoy sampling several of their brews on their tour and then head to the restaurant since they often have live music.
11314 S. Front Avenue
Cost: $15
Tour Times: Most Saturdays at 12:30pm, 2:00pm, and 3:30pm.
Commute: Best option for commuting from the Loop: Driving or South Shore Indiana Railroad- 111the Street/Pullman stop
Argus Brewery Tours last 90 minutes. You will learn about the history of the brewery which is housed in an early 1900s stable and enjoy samples of their beers at the ends of the tour in a take-home pint glass. Look for the horse heads on the outside of the building!
22221 N. Pepper Road Lake Barrington, IL 60010
Cost: $10
Tour Times: The first Saturday of every month at 2:00pm
Commute: Best option for commuting from the Loop: Driving
Wild Onion has been around since 1996. Their name is a true nod to Chicago since our original name given to us by the Potawatomi Native Americans was “Che-cau-gua” which essentially means “wild, stinking onion”. Wild Onion Brewery has an extensive tour that ends in free-flowing beer in your own pint glass.
