Chicago & Philly Brewpubs???

[SteveM]

Here are a couple places to consider - not brew pubs but all are pretty close to or in downtown (Center City, in the local language). I like using Yelp for these - anyone can say anything on their web site:

Northern Liberties:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/standard-tap-philadelphia

Rittenhouse Square:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/village-whiskey-philadelphia

And one in Northeast Philly, not near Center City but very good if you're up that way.:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-grey-lodge-pub-philadelphia

And here's a place out in Malvern that's very good - better, I think then the reviews, and if you arer all the way out there, you don't have a lot of close options:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/mckenzie-brew-house-inc-malvern#query:mckenzies

 

[g-star]

In Philadelphia, Monk's is really a must. The place is an institution and helped pioneer the craft/Belgian beer scene, which is now ubiquitous in the city, but about 10 years ago, it was really all there was.

Unique tap list, incredible bottle list, and Belgian fare that is tough to beat.

 

[sportscrazed2]

Can you get to Three Floyds?

 

[dummkauf]

In Philadelphia, Monk's is really a must. The place is an institution and helped pioneer the craft/Belgian beer scene, which is now ubiquitous in the city, but about 10 years ago, it was really all there was.

Unique tap list, incredible bottle list, and Belgian fare that is tough to beat.

Would that Monk's be run by the same folks as the Monk's in Sioux Falls SD? I was visiting an old college buddy out there about 6 months ago and discovered that place thanks to my buddy's roommate. My friend is a bud light kinda guy, but his roomie is a beer nerd like myself

 

[dummkauf]

In that case, definitely hit Two Brothers. I was in Downers Grove too and found it to be the nearest brewery around (will take you around 10-15mins to drive depending on which part of Downers Grove you are in. As I had mentioned before, their beers are great (I loved their Cane and Abel) and the tap house has some great food selection.

There is a Rock Bottom in a mall at Downers Grove too - they had some decent beers too. You can hit that if you do not want to drive too far.

I might check that out! Always up for touring a brewery

I'll probably skip rock bottom, we have those in MN here, plus a good friend of mines wife used to work and the one in Minneapolis and knows the brewers so we usually get the employees discount....can't beat beers and food for under $20(though we usually tip very well on top of that too)

 

[SteveM]

Would that Monk's be run by the same folks as the Monk's in Sioux Falls SD? I was visiting an old college buddy out there about 6 months ago and discovered that place thanks to my buddy's roommate. My friend is a bud light kinda guy, but his roomie is a beer nerd like myself

I would not imagine so but who knows? Monk's is a landmark for Belgians especially - the selection is amazing.

 

[Jaysus]

Would that Monk's be run by the same folks as the Monk's in Sioux Falls SD? I was visiting an old college buddy out there about 6 months ago and discovered that place thanks to my buddy's roommate. My friend is a bud light kinda guy, but his roomie is a beer nerd like myself

No.

 

[MrInternet]

I'm familiar with Downers Grove. Two Brothers would a good option for you - not a 5 minute drive but very much suburban.

http://www.twobrosbrew.com/

I would also say if you have a chance, go have lunch or dinner at Bavarian Lodge.

Not a brewpub, but good food and a drool-worthy beer list (you can tell that real beer lovers run the place)

+1 to Bavarian Lodge!! (just take Ogden Avenue west from DG until just past Main St. Lisle, and it's on the North side of the road)

They have something like a couple of dozen taps of stuff you don't see anywhere else... always lots of boutique offerings from places like New Holland, Stone, etc, as well as tons of imports. The draft selection changes weekly, so they have something else on immediately when a keg kicks. Never had a dirty line or stale beer complaint there... and the food is best German food anywhere.

 

[dummkauf]

Can you get to Three Floyds?

that looks like its an hour from the hotel, might be a bit of a drive.

 

[dummkauf]

Think the Bavarian lodge will be visited, that's only an 11 minute drive from my hotel according to Google

As far as 2 brothers brewing we'll have to see, I would be cutting it close to make it on time for the Sunday tour assuming my flight arrives on time, and I'm flying out Friday night so I can't make the Saturday

 

[dummkauf]

Managed to get a tour of Two Brothers Brewing last Sunday, had a few beers and some wings. The wings were good, but be sure to give the owner **** about them not being spicy enough and they will promptly deliver you a tin of their homemade habenaro sauce Very tasty stuff! I will also be brining a couple 6 packs of their beer home with me too!

Been to the Bavarian lodge twice this week and I LOVE that place! Great beer and the food was great too, assuming you like german food which I do, though I did see burgers and steaks on the menu if too.

Also visited Lunar Brewing, which was fantastic. The bartender recommended a good local pizza shop and we got some amazing Chicago style deep dish delivered to us at the bar, at which point the bartender set the parmesan, hot pepper flakes, napkins, and siracha sauce down for us(excellent service). We also got a tour of the "brewery", AKA: the back room/kitchen, where they had a few SS conicals and they are basically just a large scale homebrewer(sorta, little bigger but same concept).

I got pics of 2 bros brewery and lunar, but I forgot my usb cable at home so you will have to wait til I get back this coming weekend before I can post any pics.

Thanks again for the tips!! Will be looking forward to checking out the recommendations in Philly when I get there. That trip has been delayed to January now.

 

[jturie]

ah, just commit to the hours drive south and hit Dogfish Head

 

[FoundlingOfDollar]

Goose island in Chicago. In addition to beer, they make the world's best root beer.

 

[dummkauf]

ah, just commit to the hours drive south and hit Dogfish Head

Thinking about it now. I just had my first DFH Burton Baton at the Bavarian lodge last night, that is one TASTY beer!

 

[dummkauf]

Goose island in Chicago. In addition to beer, they make the world's best root beer.

Don't think I'll make it. I have tonight in town(Downers Grove, not DT Chicago), and I'm flying out tomorrow night. Maybe next time.

 

[Jaysus]

Thinking about it now. I just had my first DFH Burton Baton at the Bavarian lodge last night, that is one TASTY beer!

there are SOOO many other breweries in the general area I'd consider driving too be fore DFH... that part of MD is a hike from Philly.

If you want to drive... go to Victory.

 

[sportscrazed2]

that looks like its an hour from the hotel, might be a bit of a drive.

sorry i responded so late you are probably on a plane already, but they have this amazing coffee stout on tap right now that I picked up a growler of today. It's a really small place but has some really great beer. if you are still in the city try a grocery store chain they might have some of their year round stuff

 

[jturie]

there are SOOO many other breweries in the general area I'd consider driving too be fore DFH... that part of MD is a hike from Philly.

If you want to drive... go to Victory.

FWIW, DFH is in DE, but you are right, it is a hike. I live real close to Victory, and definitely can't go wrong. My son is going there for dinner tonight and I have given him my growler--I want to try that seasonal Yakima.

 

[jonbomb]

Nodding Head brewpub its on 16th and samson. Very good beer they have this beer its the grog de'jeur sooooo good.

 

[dummkauf]

Started a new thread for the pics, but shots of Lunar and Two Bros can be found here if anyones interested: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f85/chicago-area-trip-lunar-brewing-two-brothers-211088/

Now I have a few weeks to figure out my Philly drinking schedule

 

[Jaysus]

FWIW, DFH is in DE, but you are right, it is a hike. I live real close to Victory, and definitely can't go wrong. My son is going there for dinner tonight and I have given him my growler--I want to try that seasonal Yakima.

lol, yeah - DE... don't know what I was thinking there. Derp.

I am due for another victory trip... I just wish it was a little bit closer to the train station! It is not always an easy sell to the wife to be my DD.

 

[dstar26t]

There is also Earth Bread and Brewery in Mt. Airy (Philadelphia). They usually have 4 house beers on tap (plus other good commercial beers) but I don't believe the newish brewer is making the same level beer as the owner was making. Victory is worth the trip, I try to go every 3 or 4 weeks and it's close to an hour drive for us.

 

[dummkauf]

Thanks for the tips, I'm heading out to Philly the week after next(trip got delayed til after the holidays) and will try to hit nodding head, monks, iron hill, and Earth Bread. We'll see how many I can squeeze in

I just have one more question for those of you from Philly, where would you recommend I go to get a philly cheese steak? I can't leave philly without trying the real deal!

 

[beergolf]

All of the above are good suggestions.

If you are in Philly and want a good beer bar (it is not a brew pub) go to Monk's. The best selection of Belgian beers ever. Huge selection, lots of good beer on tap and their beer bible is good reading. Worth the visit. 16th. and Locust.

The Philly cheesesteak battle is an ongoing debate. Geno's or Pat's. Both have their followers.

 

[dummkauf]

Well I wont be in downtown Philly, I'll be in the burbs, Wayne to be specific, but I'm flying in Sunday afternoon and plan on spending the day exporing the city since it's my first trip out there.

I've heard of Geno's but not Pat's, I might have to try both

 

[jonbomb]

I have lived in south philadelphia my whole life.... Do not goto genos or pats unless you want a slab of grade F meat on a roll. Goto Jim's steaks on 5th and south street. They even have some beer you can buy not good beer but at least they have it.

Also if you like pricey belgian beers goto this place on 2nd and chestnut ... I forget the name for some reason right now but if I remember it I will post it.

P.S nodding head is an awesome brew pub.

 

[dummkauf]

I have lived in south philadelphia my whole life.... Do not goto genos or pats unless you want a slab of grade F meat on a roll. Goto Jim's steaks on 5th and south street. They even have some beer you can buy not good beer but at least they have it.

Also if you like pricey belgian beers goto this place on 2nd and chestnut ... I forget the name for some reason right now but if I remember it I will post it.

P.S nodding head is an awesome brew pub.

Thanks for the tip! I will probably check out Ginos & Pats just for the tourist factor, but I need to grab dinner someplace all week and could drive into Philly, so I think I'll check out Jim's too.

 

[SteveM]

I just have one more question for those of you from Philly, where would you recommend I go to get a philly cheese steak? I can't leave philly without trying the real deal!

You never heard of Pat's?? It's arguably the most famous one in the city. Pat's Geno's, Jim's, Tony Luke's, and dozens more, all are good. Cheese steaks in Philly are like pizzas in New York - there really aren't any bad ones. If you can't make a decent one, you are out of business. And for those who say the big name places are just for tourists, I will say that they are mistaken. Personally, I think that Pat's makes the best one among them, and the meat in particular is awesome. But you need to eat them hot off the grill.

But favorites are like religion - it's what you grow up with. My family and neighborhood were all about Pat's. We would never even consider wandering across the square to try a Geno's.

And by the way, NEVER eat a cheese steak at any place that shows them on the menu (or wall) as a "Philly cheese steak," We know what they are and where they are from. If they have to be described by having "Philly" in front, it's not going to be good.

PS - Wayne is pretty far from the city and all those places you mentioned going to. If you can't make it all the way there, try McKenzie's Pub in Frazer and Iron Hill Brewery (a couple of locations). Both make great beers, as evidenced by a number of GABF medals among them. They are easily reachable from Wayne.

 

[Coff]

I have lived in south philadelphia my whole life.... Do not goto genos or pats unless you want a slab of grade F meat on a roll. Goto Jim's steaks on 5th and south street. They even have some beer you can buy not good beer but at least they have it.

Also if you like pricey belgian beers goto this place on 2nd and chestnut ... I forget the name for some reason right now but if I remember it I will post it.

P.S nodding head is an awesome brew pub.

Its called Eulogy and I frequent it quite often, got to the 2nd floor bar on a Friday or Saturday and if Andrew is bartending tell him youre a homebrewer and you may get a free beer. I actually just brewed with him in his apt directly across the st from the bar.

 

[jwk526]

If you're going to be in Wayne check out http://www.teresas-cafe.com/ it's in wayne with a great selection