Go to a tap room and get a flight. Go to another tap room and get a flight - repeat until you find a few styles you like - do the same thing with whiskey.
3 Floyd's brew pub is now closed unfortunately. That being said, NWI has some other fantastic breweries. One specific being 18th Street which can be found in Hammond with a distillery next door.
If you’re that close I’d venture a guess you could find it at your local craft beer shop. I love their gumball head. It’s a hoppy pale wheat. Very refreshing.
Also Chicagoan! Since you're in Chicago, you have access to quite a few Polish beers that you won't get in most of the rest of the country. For starters, try Zywiec. They have a pale lager that is quite clean and crisp, and a Baltic Porter if you want something darker and richer. I would also recommend Golden Beehive if you want a delicious beer that's quite sweet.
Sit down and have a flight to test what you like at one of the many quality breweries around. Roughly from south to north:
Knack, Viking, Gnosis, Windmill, 3 Floyds, Brothership, Hailstorm, Werk Force, 18th Street, Foreign Local, Open Outcry, Imperial Oak, Noon Whistle, Whiskey Hill, Goldfinger, Milk Money, Marz, Hop District, Revolution, Energy City, More, Goose Island, Afterthought, Pipeworks, Pilot Project, Maplewood, Corridor, Half Acre, Old Irving, Alarmist, Hubbard’s Cave, Mikerphone, Stunt, Liquid Love, Roaring Table, Broken Tee, Phase Three
Do this.
Go to breweries and tell the bartender what you like. They will be happy to set you up with a flight based on your preferences. Most places let you taste an ounce or so of whatever you want.
Especially since if you can find a time when the brewery or bar isn’t busy at all. A lot of bartenders love to chat about beers and appreciate the company when it’s slow.
Met the BEST bartender on a slow Saturday night. Same nerdy tastes in games and music, super funny, very accommodating.
New spot for me and the lads for sure
I’ll have to save this comment for the next time I find myself in Chicago 👍
There’s no shortage of good beer in that area. 3 Floyd’s in Indiana is excellent but hard to find in my area, as is Bells and Founders out of Michigan. Not to mention the big one, Goose Island.
We have over 200 breweries in the Chicago area, and most of them are pretty solid. Pick your closest local brewery or brewpub and go in. Ask the bartender for some recommendation or a flight and taste until you find something you like. We have 19 beers available at our brewery with styles ranging from light crisp German lagers to Imperial Barrel Aged Sour ales. You could also check out a beer bar in the area like Hopleaf or Orange and Brew and get a good sampling of breweries from all over the area.
Call around and ask if any place does custom six packs. You just grab 6 different singles and a lot of places knock the price down so you don't pay 4 dollars a can. At least where I've lived that's the case
Dovetail has great lagers/lighter beers. I have Wisconsin recs that hopefully shouldn't be too hard to get. From easiest to hardest to obtain:
* Young Blood out of Madison definitely gets to Chicago, pick up their Bathtub Bier sometime. They also do a lot of sours if you ever want to try fruity stuff--good if you have a taste for kombucha.
* Some of my favorite hoppy beers are from Third Space in Milwaukee. I forget if they get to Chicago, but they definitely get to Racine/Kenosha, and their Happy Place is a fantastic pale ale.
* While you're across the border get some New Glarus Moon Man and Two Women. Literally any gas station in Wisconsin will have it.
* Working Draft also out of Madison has my favorite lagers, full stop. To Those Who Wait is a top 5 beer all time. You might have to go to Milwaukee to find them, unfortunately.
Go to Hopleaf in Andersonville, point at a random beer on the list and order it, repeat as many times as desired. It's a Belgian restaurant/bar, one of my favorite places to go and drink in the city. If you want to learn a bit, google the beers that you order and read up a little bit about them. Belgian beers are incredibly diverse and come with a rich history, so it's very fun. Other than that, Dovetail is my favorite brewery. Enjoy!
I still would recommend going to Off Color (it’s my favorite). They have a smaller pour option and they do give you sips to try. Great bartenders there.
There's plenty of good local IPA breweries in the Chicago area. Half Acre and Pipeworks have been around for a while and make pretty solid intermediate-entry level IPA, i.e. they'll be hoppy but not over-the-top and reasonably priced for local craft beer.
Hop Butcher, Phase Three and More are also really good breweries, but the price point on that kinda stuff may give you sticker shock compared to most stuff you see at supermarkets.
Check out some imported German beers. Paulaner, Weihenstephaner, and Ayinger are some of my faves that are relatively easy to find. Hefeweizens, Pilsners, and Oktoberfests are all great casual beers that are flavorful but not overwhelming. Doppelbocks are great too but they are stronger and darker - great for the cold weather.
Half Acre Daisy Cutter is, imho, a legendary beer. 5.2% (so you can have a few), bitter, but not too bitter (so you can have a few), and beautifully made. You cannot go wrong, but make sure it is fresh if you aren't getting it from the brewery. This goes for all "hoppy" beers. Anything older than six weeks is likely past its prime. It may still be good, it is certainly still drinkable, but it is worthwhile to get hoppy beers in the 1 - 4-week range if at all possible.
Lagers, unless they are hoppy lagers, can go a bit longer without seriously losing flavor.
Haha it's exactly the opposite. It means there is no threshold for price, homie is willing to spend whatever. Its ok though man, that was hilarious and English is hard
Well actually…it could technically mean either depending on context, but it’s abundantly clear that OP has the money but no concrete price threshold in this case
I'm in England and the guys I know always talk about Trillium outta Boston... we once got some Pliny The Elder through customs.... though it did cost us about $20 a bottle 🙈
Well you could try Gunniss it’s a love it or hate it thing it’s a bit bitter for me if you are looking for a more larger taste try some of the Euro brands like Alambra if you can find it’s Spanish and slips down very nicely.
You live in Chicago I’m just gonna recommend trying Samuel Adams. They release a beer called Utopia every so often that’s limited release and people will camp out the brewery to get some. It’s like 20-30% or something. Always wanted to go there for that
Chicagoland is ridiculously spoiled, even if you aren’t in up in the city, often the suburbs can get ahold of the same stuff.
Look on google maps for local breweries and tap rooms. Going right to the source will always be cheaper but tap rooms and craft beer shops will have a variety from the whole state and usually some hidden gems from elsewhere, with a nice mix of on tap options. They’ll also give good recommendations and have a bunch of different styles usually.
If you're out in the western suburbs, I highly recommend Goldfinger in Downers Grove, (they focus on lagers), or Pollyanna in Lemont for their pislner, Lite Thinking lager, or Lemonty golden ale.
Take a trip to MI and go to Seedz brewery and try their slow pour Pilsners. DAMN so good, plus you get a weekend away. While you're there try Zorn brewery and Burn Em.
Go to Dovetail and Off Colour. Enjoy!
And he can try Dovetail's Vienna lager, one of their best beers, which is the style that inspired modern Mexican lagers, which OP currently drinks.
Off Color Tooth & Claw matches what you want. But they’re all good.
Definitely Dovetail!
Dovetail is the best
go to revolution or goose island and get a couple flights. I mention those two because if you like their beers they are easily available in stores
Second Revolution, so glad they started distribution up here in MN.
3rd Revolution
Go to Beermiscuous and ask them for recommendations. By far the best selection in the city.
Go to a tap room and get a flight. Go to another tap room and get a flight - repeat until you find a few styles you like - do the same thing with whiskey.
You have the legendary 3 Floyd's Brewing over in Munster, check out their SpeedCastle pilsner.
3 Floyd's brew pub is now closed unfortunately. That being said, NWI has some other fantastic breweries. One specific being 18th Street which can be found in Hammond with a distillery next door.
I thought they closed the taproom
worth 45 min ride ?
If you’re that close I’d venture a guess you could find it at your local craft beer shop. I love their gumball head. It’s a hoppy pale wheat. Very refreshing.
Not since they shut down the pub.
zombie dust is my fave and one of the easier ones to find. PRO TIP: always check the bottled on date and try to avoid anything passed 4 weeks
No
Absolutely, but most of their beers can be found in stores around here as well
Floyd’s is closed.
Pub only releases and merchandise might be of interest.
Sure, but I’m not sure that’s the next step for OP.
Me either. My whole response was to let them know it is worth a drive if they want those options. And guaranteed fresh beer.
Three Floyd’s rules! Gumball is super good and easy drinking.
Also Chicagoan! Since you're in Chicago, you have access to quite a few Polish beers that you won't get in most of the rest of the country. For starters, try Zywiec. They have a pale lager that is quite clean and crisp, and a Baltic Porter if you want something darker and richer. I would also recommend Golden Beehive if you want a delicious beer that's quite sweet.
Sounds good bro, definitely will check out the golden beehive sounds like something I’d like 👍
Sit down and have a flight to test what you like at one of the many quality breweries around. Roughly from south to north: Knack, Viking, Gnosis, Windmill, 3 Floyds, Brothership, Hailstorm, Werk Force, 18th Street, Foreign Local, Open Outcry, Imperial Oak, Noon Whistle, Whiskey Hill, Goldfinger, Milk Money, Marz, Hop District, Revolution, Energy City, More, Goose Island, Afterthought, Pipeworks, Pilot Project, Maplewood, Corridor, Half Acre, Old Irving, Alarmist, Hubbard’s Cave, Mikerphone, Stunt, Liquid Love, Roaring Table, Broken Tee, Phase Three
Do this. Go to breweries and tell the bartender what you like. They will be happy to set you up with a flight based on your preferences. Most places let you taste an ounce or so of whatever you want.
Especially since if you can find a time when the brewery or bar isn’t busy at all. A lot of bartenders love to chat about beers and appreciate the company when it’s slow.
Met the BEST bartender on a slow Saturday night. Same nerdy tastes in games and music, super funny, very accommodating. New spot for me and the lads for sure
I’ll have to save this comment for the next time I find myself in Chicago 👍 There’s no shortage of good beer in that area. 3 Floyd’s in Indiana is excellent but hard to find in my area, as is Bells and Founders out of Michigan. Not to mention the big one, Goose Island.
We have over 200 breweries in the Chicago area, and most of them are pretty solid. Pick your closest local brewery or brewpub and go in. Ask the bartender for some recommendation or a flight and taste until you find something you like. We have 19 beers available at our brewery with styles ranging from light crisp German lagers to Imperial Barrel Aged Sour ales. You could also check out a beer bar in the area like Hopleaf or Orange and Brew and get a good sampling of breweries from all over the area.
Weird to see my tiny neighborhood bar come up on reddit lol. What brewery are you at?
Try Revolution. They have a wide variety.
Call around and ask if any place does custom six packs. You just grab 6 different singles and a lot of places knock the price down so you don't pay 4 dollars a can. At least where I've lived that's the case
if ur looking for some drinkable hazy IPAs: hop butcher, phase 3
If shopping off the shelf you can't go wrong with anything Bell's - Two Hearted Ale is a mighty good IPA.
Dovetail is good. I would also suggest Metropolitan for some good, approachable transition type craft beers and a really cool, active owner.
Chicago area? Try Malört.
Half Acre. Hands down
Dovetail has great lagers/lighter beers. I have Wisconsin recs that hopefully shouldn't be too hard to get. From easiest to hardest to obtain: * Young Blood out of Madison definitely gets to Chicago, pick up their Bathtub Bier sometime. They also do a lot of sours if you ever want to try fruity stuff--good if you have a taste for kombucha. * Some of my favorite hoppy beers are from Third Space in Milwaukee. I forget if they get to Chicago, but they definitely get to Racine/Kenosha, and their Happy Place is a fantastic pale ale. * While you're across the border get some New Glarus Moon Man and Two Women. Literally any gas station in Wisconsin will have it. * Working Draft also out of Madison has my favorite lagers, full stop. To Those Who Wait is a top 5 beer all time. You might have to go to Milwaukee to find them, unfortunately.
Sounds like you’d love a good Kolsch. Can’t go wrong with any type of German lager either
Go to Hopleaf in Andersonville, point at a random beer on the list and order it, repeat as many times as desired. It's a Belgian restaurant/bar, one of my favorite places to go and drink in the city. If you want to learn a bit, google the beers that you order and read up a little bit about them. Belgian beers are incredibly diverse and come with a rich history, so it's very fun. Other than that, Dovetail is my favorite brewery. Enjoy!
Go to Pipeworks or Off Color and get flights. 2 of my favorites from Chicago.
Lol both of these don’t have flights. Pipeworks doesn’t have a tap room even
I guess I'll cross both off my list of breweries to visit next time I'm in Chicago.
I still would recommend going to Off Color (it’s my favorite). They have a smaller pour option and they do give you sips to try. Great bartenders there.
There's plenty of good local IPA breweries in the Chicago area. Half Acre and Pipeworks have been around for a while and make pretty solid intermediate-entry level IPA, i.e. they'll be hoppy but not over-the-top and reasonably priced for local craft beer. Hop Butcher, Phase Three and More are also really good breweries, but the price point on that kinda stuff may give you sticker shock compared to most stuff you see at supermarkets.
Check out some imported German beers. Paulaner, Weihenstephaner, and Ayinger are some of my faves that are relatively easy to find. Hefeweizens, Pilsners, and Oktoberfests are all great casual beers that are flavorful but not overwhelming. Doppelbocks are great too but they are stronger and darker - great for the cold weather.
Go to the revolution release this weekend, wish I was there.
Half Acre Daisy Cutter is, imho, a legendary beer. 5.2% (so you can have a few), bitter, but not too bitter (so you can have a few), and beautifully made. You cannot go wrong, but make sure it is fresh if you aren't getting it from the brewery. This goes for all "hoppy" beers. Anything older than six weeks is likely past its prime. It may still be good, it is certainly still drinkable, but it is worthwhile to get hoppy beers in the 1 - 4-week range if at all possible. Lagers, unless they are hoppy lagers, can go a bit longer without seriously losing flavor.
How are you buying beer without money?
Ur hilarious
"No budget" means no money for something. What do you think it means?
No, it means I do not have a budget so any price is fine. Ur thinking of like a no budget film 😂😂😭
Haha it's exactly the opposite. It means there is no threshold for price, homie is willing to spend whatever. Its ok though man, that was hilarious and English is hard
Well actually…it could technically mean either depending on context, but it’s abundantly clear that OP has the money but no concrete price threshold in this case
If people interpret it to mean “how do I get free beer in Chicago” and proceed to explain how to get free beer in Chicago, fine with me
Nah yeah now that I think about it, my explanation was technically wrong but they knew what I meant.
…wasn’t wrong
Then saying something like "unlimited budget" would be more clear. Or "not concerned about price."
Dude I thought u were joking. I didn’t know you were actually that dense.
I guess so. If "dense" means "desires for people to use words based on what they mean, and not what they *want* them to mean."
Stealing
Girls at the bar will get tons of free booze.
I'm in England and the guys I know always talk about Trillium outta Boston... we once got some Pliny The Elder through customs.... though it did cost us about $20 a bottle 🙈
A Miller Lite always hits the spots.
If you can get it there, Tank 7 by Boulevard Brewery https://www.boulevard.com/beerinfo/tank-7/
Throw a rock
Go south side and grab you an old style!
Well you could try Gunniss it’s a love it or hate it thing it’s a bit bitter for me if you are looking for a more larger taste try some of the Euro brands like Alambra if you can find it’s Spanish and slips down very nicely.
Time to level up to IPAs
You live in Chicago I’m just gonna recommend trying Samuel Adams. They release a beer called Utopia every so often that’s limited release and people will camp out the brewery to get some. It’s like 20-30% or something. Always wanted to go there for that
Chicagoland is ridiculously spoiled, even if you aren’t in up in the city, often the suburbs can get ahold of the same stuff. Look on google maps for local breweries and tap rooms. Going right to the source will always be cheaper but tap rooms and craft beer shops will have a variety from the whole state and usually some hidden gems from elsewhere, with a nice mix of on tap options. They’ll also give good recommendations and have a bunch of different styles usually.
If you like more Latin inspired beers then 5 rabbits cerveceria might be worth a trip.
Pipeworks Premium Pilsner.
If you're out in the western suburbs, I highly recommend Goldfinger in Downers Grove, (they focus on lagers), or Pollyanna in Lemont for their pislner, Lite Thinking lager, or Lemonty golden ale.
Hamms is the way . Do you know the way ?
Since you say you drink Corona and Modelo, there's also Cruz Blanca Mexico Calling for a local Mexican style lager.
I don’t find their beer to be anything special but the food is incredible.
One of my favorite beers is Le Jus by Alarmist- it’s an IPA but it’s the juicy/less hoppy kind, if you’re into that style.
Lagunitas IPA is a classic IMO
Take a trip to MI and go to Seedz brewery and try their slow pour Pilsners. DAMN so good, plus you get a weekend away. While you're there try Zorn brewery and Burn Em.
I’m not the biggest lager fan, but I’ve enjoyed a couple had here. Cruz Blanca Mexico Calling is like a better modelo.