The links below are grouped by subject. On-line reviews were used when an official website was not available.
NOTE: to easily find area breweries, brewpubs, beer bars, good beer stores and homebrew shops, check out beermapping.com’s Chicago Beer Map.
Regional Breweries and Brewpubs (in operation or planning as of February 2013)
Almost all Illinois breweries are members of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild
- 5 Rabbit Cerveceria: Chicago SW suburbs (Bedford Park, IL)
- Argus Brewery: Chicago, Pullman
- Atlas Brewing Company: Chicago, Lincoln Park/Lake View
- Begyle Brewing Company: Chicago, Ravenswood
- Bent River Brewing Company: Quad Cities (Moline, IL)
- Big Muddy Brewing: Murphysboro, IL
- The Blind Pig Brewery: Champaign, IL
- Blue Cat Brew Pub: Quad Cities (Rock Island, IL)
- Brickstone Restaurant & Brewery: Bourbonnais, IL
- Carlyle Brewing Company: Rockford, IL
- Church Street Brewing Company: Chicago NW suburbs (Itasca, IL)
- Crown Brewing: Crown Point, IN
- Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works: Normal, IL, Champaign, IL
- DryHop Brewers: Chicago, Lakeview (opening soon)
- Emmett’s Tavern & Brewing Co.:Chicago NW suburbs (West Dundee, IL)
- Emmett’s Ale House: Chicago W suburbs (Downers Grove, IL)
- Emmett’s Ale House: Chicago NW suburbs (Palatine, IL)
- Finch’s Beer Company: Chicago, Mayfair/Albany Park
- Flesk Brewing Company: Chicago W suburbs (Lombard, IL)
- Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery: Chicago S suburbs (Flossmoor, IL)
- Galena Brewing Company: Galena, IL
- Goose Island Beer Company: Chicago, Near West Side
- Goose Island Brewpub (Clybourn): Chicago, Lincoln Park
- Goose Island Brewpub (Wrigleyville): Chicago, Wrigleyville
- Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant: Chicago SW suburbs (Bolingbrook, IL)
- Granite City Food & Brewery: Chicago SW suburbs (Bolingbrook, IL),
- Half Acre Beer Company: Chicago, Northcenter/Lincoln Square
- Hamburger Mary’s: Chicago, Andersonville
- Harrison’s Restaurant and Brewery: Chicago SW suburbs (Orland Park, IL)
- Haymarket Pub & Brewery: Chicago, West Loop
- Lake Bluff Brewing Company: Chicago N suburbs (Lake Bluff, IL)
- Lake Effect Brewing Company: Chicago, Mayfair
- Lakefront Brewery: Milwaukee, WI
- The Lucky Monk: Chicago NW suburbs (South Barrington, IL)
- Lunar Brewing Company: Chicago W suburbs (Villa Park, IL)
- Metropolitan Brewing: Chicago, Ravenswood
- Mickey Finn’s Brewery: Chicago N suburbs (Libertyville, IL)
- Moonshine: Chicago, Wicker Park
- The Onion Pub & Brewery: Chicago NW suburbs (Lake Barrington, IL)
- Piece Brewery & Pizzeria: Chicago, Wicker Park
- Pig Minds Brewing: Machesney Park, IL (Rockford)
- Pipeworks Brewing Company: Chicago, Bucktown
- Ram Restaurant & Brewery – Schaumburg: Chicago NW suburbs
- Ram Restaurant & Brewery – Wheeling: Chicago NW suburbs
- Revolution Brewing: Chicago, Logan Square
- Rolling Meadows Brewery: Cantrall, IL (Springfield)
- John S. Rhodell Brewery & Bar: Peoria, IL
- Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Chicago: Chicago downtown/River North
- Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Orland Park: Chicago SW suburbs (Orland Park, IL)
- Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Warrenville: Chicago W suburbs (Warrenville, IL)
- Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Yorktown: Chicago W suburbs (Lombard, IL)
- Solemn Oath Brewery: Chicago W suburbs (Naperville, IL)
- Spiteful Brewing: Chicago, Ravenswood
- Stockholm’s Vardshus: Chicago W suburbs (Geneva, IL) .
- Three Floyds Brewing Company & Brewpub: Chicago S/SE suburbs, Munster, IN
- Tighthead Brewing Company: Chicago N suburbs (Mundelein, IL)
- Two Brothers Brewing Company & Taphouse: Chicago W suburbs (Warrenville, IL)
- The Village Vintner Winery & Brewery: Chicago NW Suburbs (Algonquin, IL)
Regional Brew on Premise (BOP)
The most common information request we get at CBS is “where can I find a place that lets me brew my own beer.” Sorry, but the Chicago area hasn’t had a classic brew-on-premise in over 10 years. The only place in Illinois we know of is:
- John S. Rhodell Brewery & Bar: Peoria, IL
That said, if you are interested in booking a beer or wine making party in the area, visit:
- BevArt Brewer & Wine Maker Supply: Chicago (far South Side, Beverly)
Regional Beer Bars and Beer-Centric Restaurants
It’s quite common to find at least a few decent beers on tap at many bars these days. The places listed here are noteworthy either for the quality of their selection or – as in the case of various ethnic pubs – their unique character and atmosphere. If you feel a place should be added (or removed), please inform us via the Contact page.
- 2 Sparrows: Chicago, Lincoln Park
- The Aberdeen Tap: Chicago, West Town
- Acre: Chicago, Andersonville
- The Bad Apple: Chicago, Northcenter
- Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant: Chicago W suburbs (Aurora, Bloomingdale, Downers Grove)
- Bangers & Lace: Chicago, East Village/Ukrainian Village
- The Bar on Buena: Chicago, Uptown
- Barley House: Chicago NW suburbs (Algonquin, IL)
- Bavaria Hof Restaurant: Chicago NW suburbs (Schaumburg, IL)
- The Bavarian Lodge: Chicago W suburbs (Lisle, IL)
- The Beer Bistro: Chicago (2 locations), West Loop, Lincoln Park
- Bigby’s Pour House: Chicago W suburbs (Addison, IL)
- Blarney Stone Pub: Chicago S suburbs (Oak Forest, IL)
- Blokes & Birds: Chicago, Lakeview/Wrigleyville
- The Bluebird: Chicago, Bucktown/Wicker Park
- Bricks Chicago: Chicago, Lincoln Park
- Brisku’s Bistro: Chicago, Albany Park
- The Bristol: Chicago, Bucktown/Wicker Park
- Brixie’s Beer Bar: Chicago W suburbs (Brookfield, IL)
- Burger Bar Chicago: Chicago, Lincoln Park
- Chicago Brauhaus: Chicago, Lincoln Square
- Clark Street Ale House: Chicago, Near North/River North
- Cole’s: Chicago, Logan Square
- Cooper’s: Chicago, Lakeview
- Delilah’s: Chicago, Lincoln Park
- Duke of Perth: Chicago, Lincoln Park
- Duke’s Alehouse & Kitchen: Chicago NW suburbs (Crystal Lake, IL)
- Edelweiss: Chicago near-NW suburbs (Norridge, IL)
- Edgewater Lounge: Chicago, Edgewater/Andersonville
- Encore Liquid Lounge: Chicago, Loop
- Farmhouse: Chicago, River North
- Fat Cat: Chicago, Uptown
- Finnegan’s Irish Pub: Chicago SW suburbs (Plainfield, IL)
- Firkin: Chicago N suburbs (Libertyville, IL)
- 5th Province Pub (Irish American Heritage Center, Fri/Sat night only): Chicago, North Park/Mayfair
- Fireside Restaurant & Bar: Chicago, Edgewater
- Fork: Chicago, Lincoln Square
- Fountainhead: Chicago, Ravenswood/Northcenter/Lincoln Square
- Flat Rock Tavern: Chicago, Lincoln Park
- The Globe Pub: Chicago, Northcenter
- The Grafton Pub & Grill: Chicago, Lincoln Square
- Hackney’s Printer’s Row: Chicago, Downtown, South Loop
- Handlebar: Chicago, Bucktown/Wicker Park
- High Dive: Chicago, Ukrainian Village
- Hopleaf: Chicago, Andersonville
- The House Pub: Chicago W Suburbs (St. Charles, IL)
- Huettenbar: Chicago, Lincoln Square
- In Fine Spirits: Chicago, Andersonville
- Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap: Chicago, Near North/River North
- Jaks Tap: Chicago, Near West Side/West Loop
- Jerry’s Sandwiches & Beer: Chicago, Wicker Park
- John Barleycorn: Chicago, Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville; NW suburbs (Schaumburg, IL)
- John’s Buffet: Chicago W suburbs (Winfield, IL)
- Kendall Pub: Chicago SW suburbs (Yorkville, IL)
- Kuma’s Corner: Chicago, Avondale/Logan Square
- Laschet’s Inn: Chicago, Northcenter/St. Ben’s
- Leader Bar: Chicago, Irving Park/Avondale
- Leopold: Chicago, West Town
- Lincoln Tap Room: Chicago, Lakeview/Wrigleyville
- The Local Option: Chicago, Lincoln Park/De Paul
- Logan Bar & Grill: Chicago, Logan Square
- The Long Room: Chicago, Northcenter
- Mac’s: Chicago, East Village/Ukrainian Village
- Map Room: Chicago, Bucktown
- Maple Tree Inn: Chicago S suburbs (Blue Island, IL)
- Marion Street Cheese Market: Chicago W suburbs (Oak Park, IL)
- Miller’s Pub: Chicago, Loop
- Mitchell’s Tap: Chicago, Bridgeport
- Medici: Normal, IL
- Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro: Chicago, Northcenter
- Monk’s Pub: Chicago, Loop
- Nicksons Eatery: Chicago W suburbs (La Grange, IL)
- Northdown Cafe and Taproom: Chicago, Roscoe Village/Lakeview
- O’Callaghan’s: Chicago, Downtown/River North
- Ole St. Andrews Inn: Chicago, Edgewater
- Owen & Engine: Chicago, Logan Square
- Quenchers Saloon: Chicago, Logan Square/Bucktown
- Paddy Long’s: Chicago, Lincoln Park/Sheffield/DePaul
- Palmer Place: Chicago W suburbs (La Grange, IL)
- Paramount Room: Chicago, River North
- Poor Phil’s Bar & Grill: Chicago W suburbs (Oak Park, IL)
- Public House: Chicago, River North
- The Publican: Chicago, West Town
- Ram Restaurant & Brewery – Rosemont: non-brewing location, Chicago NW suburbs
- Red Lion Pub: Chicago, Lincoln Park
- Resi’s Bierstube: Chicago, Northcenter/St. Ben’s
- Risqué Café: Chicago, Lakeview/Wrigleyville
- Riverside Wine Bar/Tap Room: Chicago W suburbs (Riverside, IL)
- The Rocking Horse: Chicago, Logan Square
- Sheffield’s: Chicago, Lakeview/Wrigleyville
- Skylark: Chicago, Pilsen/Heart of Chicago/Little Village
- Simon’s Tavern: Chicago, Andersonville
- Simone’s: Chicago, Pilsen
- Small Bar: Chicago (2 locations), East Village/Ukrainian Village, Logan Square
- Square Bar & Grille: Chicago, Avondale
- The Tribes Alehouse: Chicago S suburbs (Mokena, IL)
- Tuman’s: Chicago, East Village/Ukrainian Village
- Twisted Spoke: Chicago, near West Side
- Two Brothers Roundhouse: Chicago W suburbs (Aurora, IL)
- Uberstein: Chicago, Wrigleyville
- Uncommon Ground: Chicago, Wrigleyville, Edgewater
- Underbar: Chicago, Roscoe Village
- Village Tap: Chicago, Roscoe Village
- Villains Bar & Grill: Chicago, South Loop
- Weegee’s Lounge: Chicago, Logan Square
- World of Beer: Chicago N suburbs (Evanston, IL), coming Fall 2012
- World of Beer: Chicago W suburbs (Naperville, IL)
- Zhou B Cafe: Chicago, Bridgeport
Homebrewing Suppliers
- Brew & Grow: Chicago (Avondale< Near West Side), Bolingbrook, Crystal Lake, Roselle, and Rockford, IL. Discounts for CBS members.
- Brew Camp: Chicago (Ravenswood/Lincoln Square)
- BevArt Brewer & Wine Maker Supply: Chicago (far South Side, Beverly)
- The Brewer’s Coop: Chicago W suburbs (Warrenville, IL), in front of Two Brothers Brewery
- Chicago Winemakers Inc.: Chicago W suburbs (Elmhurst, IL)
- Fox Valley Homebrew & Winery Supplies: Chicago W suburbs (Aurora, IL)
- HomeBrewing.com: Austin, TX
- Homebrew Shop: Chicago W suburbs (St. Charles, IL)
- Midwest Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies: Minneapolis, MN
- Perfect Home Brewing Supplies: Chicago N suburbs (Libertyville, IL)
- Something’s Brewn: Galesburg, IL
- Weber Organic Homebrew Supply: Chicago area
Other Regional Homebrew Clubs
- Abnormal Brewers: Bloomington-Normal, IL
- BABBLE: Lake County, IL
- Brewers of South Suburbia (BOSS): Chicago south suburbs
- BUZZ (Boneyard Union of Zymurgical Zealots): Urbana-Champaign, IL
- Club Wort: Chicago NW suburbs
- Forest City Brewers: Rockford, IL
- Headhunters Brewing Club: Chicago W suburbs, Kane County, IL
- Homebrewers Pride of the Southside (HOPS): Chicago south side and suburbs
- Midnight Carboys: Crystal Lake, IL
- Plainfield Ale and Lager Enthusiasts (PALE): Plainfield, IL
- Silverado Homebrew Club: Chicago W/NW suburbs
- Tippicanoe Homebrewers Circle: Lafayette, IN
- Urban Knaves of Grain (UKG): Du Page County, IL
Regional CO2 Providers
- City Welding Sales & Service Inc: Skokie, IL
- NFC/Suburban Carbonic: Chicago, Lincoln Square
Beer and Brewing – General
- Ale Street News
- All About Beer Magazine
- American Brewer
- Beer Advocate
- beercook.com
- Beer Info
- Brewing Techniques
- Brew Your Own
- Celebrator Beer News
- Great Lakes Brewing News
- Homebrew Digest
- Homebrew Forums
- Hopunion Craft Brewing Sales LLC
- Institute for Brewing Studies
- Malt Advocate
- Michael Jackson’s Beer Hunter
- Michigan Beer Guide
- Mid-Atlantic Brewing News
- Modern Brewery Age
- The New Brewer
- The New York City Beer Guide
- Northwest Brewing News
- RateBeer
- Rocky Mountain Brewing News
- Southwest Brewing News
- Suds Wine & Spirits
- White Labs Pure Brewers Yeast
- Wyeast Laboratories, Inc. (Yeast)
- Yankee Brew News
- Zymurgy
Beer Festivals and Competitions
- CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival (Manchester): January 16-19, 2008
- Tokyo Real Ale Festival: February
- Toronado Barley Wine Festival (San Francisco): February
- Zythos Beer Festival (Sint Niklaas, Belgium): March 1-2, 2008
- Kona Brewers Festival (Hawaii): March 8, 2008
- Helsinki Beer Festival (Finland): April
- World Beer Cup: April 15-16, 2008
- All About Beer World Beer Festival (Raleigh, NC): April 26, 2008
- New England Real Ale Exhibition: April 30-May 3, 2008
- Mondial de la Bière (Montréal): May 28-June 1, 2008
- Oregon Brewers Festival (Portland): last weekend in July
- Great British Beer Festival (London): first full week in August
- Great Taste of the Midwest (Madison): 2nd Saturday in August
- Peterborough CAMRA Beer Festival (Peterborough, England): 3rd week in August
- Great Canadian Beer Festival (Victoria): first weekend after Labor Day, September
- Poperinge International Hop & Beer Festival (Belgium): 3rd Sunday, September, every 3 years
- Oktoberfest (Munich): September 20-October 5, 2008
- All About Beer World Beer Festival (Durham, NC): October 4, 2008
- Great American Beer Festival (Denver): October 9-11, 2008
- Cantillon Brewery Public Brewing Session (Brussels): November
Beer Importers and Distributors
- B. United International
- Louis Glunz Beer, Inc.
- Merchant du Vin
- Shelton Brothers
- Stawski Distributing
- Vanberg & DeWulf
Beer and Brewing Books
- BeerBooks.com
- Beer for Dummies
- The Best of American Food & Beer
- Brewing Classic Styles
- Brewers Association Recommended Reading List
- The Brewmaster’s Table
- The Complete Joy of Homebrewing
- Designing Great Beers
- Great Beers of Belgium
- The History of Beer and Brewing in Chicago
- Homebrewing for Dummies
- How to Brew
- Radical Brewing
- Storey Books, Beer & Wine
- Wild Brews
Beer Associations and Guilds
- Aloha Brewers Guild
- American Brewers Guild
- American Homebrewers Association
- American Malting Barley Association
- Arizona Craft Brewers Guild
- The Beer Institute
- Beer Judge Certification Program
- Beer Serves America
- Brewers Association
- CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale)
- Cask Marque
- Colorado Brewers Guild
- Craft Brewing Association: The UK’s homebrewing association
- Florida Brewers Guild
- Garden State (NJ) Craft Brewers Guild
- Hop Growers of America
- Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (CBS is an affiliate member)
- Independent Family Brewers of Britain
- Brewers of Indiana Guild
- Maine Brewers Guild
- Brewers Association of Maryland
- Master Brewers Association of the Americas
- Michigan Brewers Guild
- Montana State Brewers Association
- New York State Brewers Association
- Northern California Brewers Guild
- Oregon Brewers Guild
- Pennsylvania Brewers Guild
- San Diego Brewers Guild
- San Francisco Brewers Guild
- Society of Independent Brewers (UK)
- Vermont Brewers Association
- Washington Brewers Guild
- Wisconsin Brewers Guild

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