The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Around TownGeneral Features
Home›Around Town›An ode to good beer: The welcome influx of Chicago craft breweries

An ode to good beer: The welcome influx of Chicago craft breweries

By TheRealChicagoOnline
April 5, 2013
1625
0
Share:

Craft breweries are popping up everywhere in Chicago, and this writer couldn’t be happier

By Richard Ray

Not long ago, if you tried to talk to me about the “subtle nuances” in a beer, I would have come to the conclusion you were a pretentious nerd who wasn’t about to go halfsies on a 30 rack of PBR with me. But, times change and so do tastes, and here I am recognizing those wonderful nuances, the balance, the fermentation process, the residual yeast of a finally crafted Saison, or the coastal varieties of hops in an APA. I turned into one of those guys, and while the cliché may still have some bite to it, I can’t feel it because I’m drinking so many of the delicious beers Chicago offers.

One of the frontrunners on my radar is Begyle Brewing in the North Center neighborhood. They opened in the fall of 2012, but there’s nothing amateur about their brews. The guys are originally home brewers with day jobs who started brewing out of friendship and thirst. Though still in their seminal stage, they have already had their beers paired and featured with the menu at the Four Season’s restaurant, Allium. They make a mean Johnny Quest Black IPA, which pours black with a tan head and looks like a stout, but carries the piney, citrus taste of an IPA. Delicious.

Revolution Brewing in Logan Square is getting a lot of attention these days, and the reasons are plentiful, especially considering their sparkling brewpub (with a great menu) in Logan Square. Recently, they used American hop varietals found growing near the Shedd Aquarium to make a mild and malty pale ale called Penguin Hops. Other notable selections are the Anti-Hero IPA, the Eugene porter and the Little Crazy Belgian pale ale. These beers have personality and taste.

Half Acre in Lincoln Square is another worthy mention. In the few years they’ve been open, Half Acre has been embraced by the city with help from their signature Daisy Cutter pale ale, and they opened a new tap room next door to the brewery that allows patrons to bring in their own food or order out from a nearby restaurant. The tap room features perennial and seasonal brews abound for those interested in testing out great new beers.

Craft breweries in Chicago seem to be growing exponentially, introducing a more mindful and textured beer experience in the process. These are just a trio of my favorites, but keep an eye out for the summer issue of The Real Chicago, which will have a beer-centric focus.

TagsAlliumAnti-Hero IPAAPABegyle BrewingChicago breweriesChicago craft beerDaisy CutterEugene porterFour Seasons ChicagoHalf AcreJohnny Quest Black IPALincoln SquareLittle Crazy Belgian pale aleLogan SquarePBRPenguin HopsRevolution BrewingRichard RaySaisonShedd Aquarium
Previous Article

Doughnut delight: These sweet treats are popping ...

Next Article

First Look review: “A Permanent Image” at ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • We Ask, They Answer

    We Ask, They Answer: Craft beer Q&A with Bruce White, who combines his two passions with the Chicago Beer Experience ...

    July 12, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: The ninth annual Illinois Craft Beer Week is upon us; Q&A with Danielle D’Alessandro of the ...

    May 6, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Family traditions like the Shedd Aquarium can be the start of something special

    July 28, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago InsiderOther Recent Articles

    Chicago Insider: Natalie Converse on Wicker Park shopping, a sushi favorite, Roots Pizza and being a tourist for a day

    August 25, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider Alice Yau on exploring the 606 trail, burgers at Small Cheval and kayaking the Chicago River

    July 1, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Hidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Band of Bohemia for an adventure in beer and food; eclectic shopping at RR#1

    October 20, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Top Chef, Chicago style: Analyzing the city’s hottest restaurants

  • Around TownMy Chicago

    My Chicago: If you can only eat out once this spring, where are you going and what are you ordering?

  • Around TownHidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Sandmeyer’s Bookstore, Margie’s Candies and the Town Hall Pub

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.