In Chicago right now...

On a vacation to see visit Chicago and see my Reds play today at 2. The gf and I went out to a couple nice bars last night and all I have to say is...LOL Cincinnati...it doesn't even compare.

The Map Room: Amazing draft selection. I love the smaller neighborhood feel of it. I had never had a 3 Floyd's beer before and had 2 pints of Alpha King...which is probably now my favourite beer of all time. Got one of those pints on the house too as a welcome to Chicago kinda thing.

Hopleaf: Another great place - draft selection even greater. I had Goose Island Green Line since I had read so much about it on here, but with all the IPA's I had drank that day it seemed incredibly dull. Had a pint of Zombie Dust though and it was wonderful! The bartender there Slim gave me a free beer again saying welcome to Chicago.

Anyway just an awesome place so far - we're going to Wrigleyville today and walk around there before the game - any recommendations?

We're also gonna visit 3 Floyd's in Munster on our way home - hopefully I can get a couple 6 packs of Alpha King.

 

Also if 3 Floyd's sells beer in bottles I can get some for a couple people if they want to trade or just buy at cost.

 

If you end up closer to the Near North/Mag Mile neighborhood check out a speakeasy style bar called the Watershed. It's inside in the basement of a champagne bar called Pops.

They specialize in local beers and spirits. Really cool place.

 

Two Brothers just released all of their wet hop ales. Haven't had any this year, but they're usually pretty good. Unique, at least. Most bottle shops (or Binny's) carry them.

 

3 Floyds does sell their beers in bottles right at the brewery in Munster.
Try some Gumballhead if you stop down there.

You can buy 6 packs, cases (a little bit better $) and they also have a vast selection of bombers as well. Last time I was there, I picked up a growler as a souvenier.

 

Although I haven't been there for a few years, Goose Island's brewpub is pretty cool. They don't just have their normal beers on tap. They have about a dozen small batch beers rotating at any given time... And many of them are quite impressive. And the food is worth the trip as well... Lots of local specialties.

Speaking of which, if you can't get it locally and haven't tried it, they just released their Bourbon Stout about a week ago, I believe. That is my all-time favorite beer. It is best if you age it a year or two, but is amazing straight from the bottle. That one is distributed, at least locally, so you may want to pick up a four pack to take home with you. Binny's should have it, but it sells out fast.

I haven't tried Green Line, but their normal mass produced IPA is, in my opinion, a fantastic easy-drinking, "sessionable" IPA with a really fresh hop flavor and aroma (at least when you get it fresh/local. As a beer geek, their IPA is my BMC. Just a simple, predictable beer that is easy to find and goes down really easy.

 

Dont bother with Two Brothers IMO.

Hit the Goose Island Pub right near the ball park...get there early.

 

And Green Line isnt all that good. The story is good the beer is average or below.

 

Dude....you gotta check out "The Old Town Pour House"
Newer place....they have a wicked amount of beers on tap....

 

Gumballhead Gumballhead Gumballhead Gumballhead. You get the idea. Their brewpub is awesome.