If you’re a sucker for rustic beers, Dovetail is for you. Rather than naming their products in the confusing (though often hilarious) American tradition, Dovetail opts for a purist’s route, choosing titles that highlight the product’s style or key ingredient — try Dovetail Lager, Dovetail Hefeweizen, or Dovetail Kölsch. And if you like a little age on your beers, check out Dovetail’s barrel program. It yields complex, nuanced expressions of traditional European styles.

On the opposite end of the spectrum from Dovetail is Marz, a uniquely American brewery that houses an arcade and serves beautifully-packaged, experimental concoctions. The perfect place for a wild first date or a fun get-together with work friends, the Marz taproom regularly features twenty-four on-tap libations, which run the gamut from Chug Life, a Sparkling Lager, to Dillinerweiss, a Berliner Weiss with Dill and Red Pepper Flakes.

Somewhere between Dovetail and Marz is Half Acre, a relative OG by craft beer standards (it was founded by Gabriel Magliaro in 2006). While you may have heard of packaged brewery staples like Daisy Cutter West Coast Pale Ale or Pony Pilsner, the brewery also makes several draft-only offerings that are best experienced at the expanded facility on Balmoral.

The brainchild of Siebel- and Doemens-educated Greg Shuff, Corridor is a sophisticated project. The outstanding pedigree has led to flavorful hop bombs and subtle farmhouse beers as well as a food menu featuring delicate salads, hearty sandwiches, and artisan pizzas. It’s Chicago’s equivalent to Austin’s Jester King.

A “botanical brewery,” Forbidden Root uses barks, stems, flowers, herbs, spices, leaves, and even roots to create products for even the most adventurous palate. Additionally, the food menu at Forbidden Root pairs well with the beer, with items like the grilled carrots (pistachio hummus, coriander vinaigrette, and mint) and the Duck & Dumplings. And with 100% of all non-consumable merchandise profits going to charity, you can indulge responsibly.

Founded as a Logan Square brewpub in 2010, Revolution Brewing has since grown to become the state’s largest independent craft brewery. You really can’t go wrong with any of the beers, though we’re particular fans of the Deep Wood Series, which sees barrel-aged beers canned and sent into distribution.

Another Chicago staple, Off Color was founded in 2013 by John Laffler (formerly of Goose Island Brewery) and Dave Bleitner (formerly of Two Brothers Brewing). As you might expect, the pedigree of the founders is obvious in Off Color Brewing’s mature and technically excellent beers, which lean toward European styles. While the beers are serious, the branding is fun, leading to a very silly and unique taproom experience at both the original location and The Mousetrap.

Right in Logan Square is Maplewood, a brewery that makes both beer and spirits. Between their year-round pale ales, pilsners, and stouts, as well as their seasonal and specialty sours and barrel-aged releases, they have something for every palate. And if you’re not in the mood for beer, you can always snag a single malt whiskey. The Lounge is a great place for a casual meetup, and we definitely recommend their Sunday brunch — try the Chilaquiles or Breakfast Hash.

No one in Chicago brews better pilsners, festbiers, and German-style lagers than the all-lager microbrewery, Metropolitan Brewing. After all, these folks focus full-time on executing these finicky, bottom-yeast-feeding, and cold-temperature-loving beers. Pro move: Pair their flagship Krankshaft Kölsch-style beer or Flywheel Pilsner with an iconic burger from nearby Kuma’s Corner.

Founded in August 2019 by Dan Abel and Jordan Radke, Pilot Project is a brewery incubator that has helped launch thirteen beverage alcohol concepts to date. Like South Asian-owned Azadi Brewing Company, women-owned Luna Bay Booch, and Black-owned Funkytown Brewery. Touted as the first space of its kind dedicated to the brewing community, Pilot Project strives to support folks in underrepresented communities in a predominantly white, male brewing industry with high barriers to entry.