Illinois Craft Beer Scene Guide

Illinois ranks among the top states for craft beer production with 300+ breweries statewide.

Chicago Brewery Districts

West Loop/Fulton Market

Highest concentration in the city:

• Goose Island Barrel House

• Haymarket Pub & Brewery

• On Tour Brewing

Ravenswood

The "Malt Row" corridor:

• Half Acre Beer Company (flagship)

• Begyle Brewing

• Empirical Brewery

• Dovetail Brewery (German styles)

Pilsen

Growing scene with character:

• Lo Rez Brewing

• Moody Tongue (upscale)

Logan Square/Avondale

• Revolution Brewing (largest Illinois craft)

• Metropolitan Brewing

• Maplewood Brewery

Suburban Breweries

Western Suburbs

• Two Brothers (Warrenville) - Pioneer of IL craft

• Solemn Oath (Naperville) - Creative, quality

• Kinslahger Brewing (Oak Park)

North Suburbs

• Sketchbook Brewing (Evanston)

• Only Child Brewing (Gurnee)

• Tighthead Brewing (Mundelein)

South Suburbs

• 350 Brewing (Tinley Park)

• Tribes Beer Company (Mokena)

Downstate Standouts

Central Illinois

• Destihl (Normal) - Excellent sours

• Lil Beaver Brewery (Bloomington)

• Obed & Isaac's (Springfield) - Brewery + restaurant

Southern Illinois

• Scratch Brewing (Ava) - Wild ales from forest ingredients

• Peel Wood Fired Pizza & Brewery (Carbondale)

Quad Cities

• Bent River Brewing (Moline)

• Front Street Brewery (Davenport)

Illinois Beer Styles

What We're Known For

• IPAs - Revolution's Anti-Hero is iconic

• Sours - Destihl and others excel

• German Lagers - Metropolitan, Dovetail specialize

Local Innovations

• Wild ales with local ingredients

• Farm brewery movement growing

• Hard seltzer and beyond

Beer Events

Major Festivals

• Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB) - November, premier event

• Chicago Craft Beer Week - May

• Hop Jam - Wheaton, family-friendly

Brewery Events

• Anniversary parties

• Tap takeovers

• Collaboration releases

• Trivia nights

Planning Brewery Visits

Chicago

• Many walkable clusters

• CTA accessible

• Designated drivers still helpful

Suburbs/Downstate

• Designated driver essential

• Plan a route

• Call ahead for hours

Tips

1. Many breweries don't serve food—check policies

2. Cash tips appreciated at taprooms

3. Growler fills for taking beer home

4. Join mug clubs for regulars

5. Follow on social for release announcements