Hopewell Brewing in Chicago is the Logan Square brewery on Milwaukee Avenue, with a lager-and-pilsner focus and a tap room full of natural-wood communal tables.
Tip: First Lager is the pilsner that put the brewery on the map; order a pint and a $5 hot pretzel for the back patio.
Address: 2760 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Off Color Brewing in Chicago runs the Mousetrap taproom on Kingsbury Street, with revival historical styles (gose, kottbusser, kvass) and mixed-fermentation bottles.
Tip: The Mousetrap sour-blend release schedule is monthly; check the website Monday for the Friday drop list of mixed-fermentation bottles.
Goose Island Beer Co. in Chicago is the 1988 John Hall brewery, with the Fulton Brewery taproom on West Fulton serving Bourbon County Stout from the source.
Tip: The Bourbon County Stout Day in late November is the calendar event; otherwise the regular taproom has the year-round drafts the cans don't.
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in Chicago is the Logan Square brewery-distillery on Maplewood, with IPAs, lagers and the Crooked Belgian-style ale under one roof.
Tip: The distilled whiskey series is what separates this taproom from the others; the rye is the buy.
Revolution Brewing in Chicago is Illinois' largest independent brewer, with Anti-Hero IPA at the Avondale taproom on Kedzie after the Logan Square brewpub closed.
Tip: Sit at the production taproom on Kedzie for the full draft list. The Bourbon County-style barrel-aged stout releases are the calendar event.
Begyle Brewing in Chicago is the small North Center brewery on Cuyler Avenue, a 10-barrel system known for the Hophazardly IPA and the Free Bird milk stout on nitro.
Tip: Begyle keeps a small taproom with eight rotating taps; the milk stout on nitro is the cold-weather order.
Half Acre Beer Co. in Chicago is the Bowmanville brewery on Balmoral since the 2021 consolidation, with the Daisy Cutter pale ale at its core.
Tip: Daisy Cutter cans are everywhere, but at the taproom you can order it on cask, which is the way the brewers themselves drink it.
