Metro area

Best breweries in Chicago, Illinois

Within 13 miles of Chicago we track 95 breweries. 6 rate Exceptional and 11 rate Great. Other Half Brewing Co. in Chicago leads the list at 4.63 (Exceptional).

The scale

Exceptional
A short list of extraordinary breweries worth planning a trip around.
Great
Consistently produce world-class beer.
Fine
Make genuinely good beer, if not the pint you will still be talking about next year.
Poor
Not bad beer so much as unremarkable beer.
Limited
Most craft beer drinkers pass these by.

1
Other Half Brewing Co.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
In 2014, Sam Richardson, Matt Monahan and Andrew Burman founded Other Half Brewing Company, a local brewery in New York City with a simple mission: to create beers that they wanted to drink from a company that they wanted to be a part of. Their vision was to build a passionate team that brewed great beers in the state of New York—done so with effort and thoughtfulness—to represent the “Other Half” of the industry. Today, Other Half craft beers in their Brooklyn brewery and are dedicated to collaborating with breweries both in New York as well as across the world in an effort to constantly move the industry forward while elevating the craft. The Other Half team believes that local breweries play an important role in their communities which is why they partner with these other likeminded brewers and brands in local nabes across the country and the world—but always return to their home state of New York and their Brooklyn taproom.
Rating
4.63Exceptional
Popularity
One of the most-rated breweries anywhere
2
Hop Butcher For The World
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Hop Butcher For The World produce's world class beer and is ranked #4 in Illinois. They are most well known for "Double Grid", which is an Imperial New England IPA and "Blazed Orange Milkshake", which is a Milkshake IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.
Rating
4.61Exceptional
Popularity
Extremely widely rated
3
Maplewood Brewing Company
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Maplewood Brewing Company produce's world class beer and is ranked #10 in Illinois. They are most well known for "Son of Juice", which is a New England IPA and "Charlatan", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
4.57Exceptional
Popularity
Very widely rated
4
Half Acre Beer Company
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Half Acre Beer Company produce's world class beer and is ranked #14 in Illinois. They are most well known for "Daisy Cutter Pale Ale", which is an American Pale Ale and "GoneAway", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
4.46Exceptional
Popularity
Extremely widely rated
5
Dovetail Brewery
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Dovetail Brewery produce's flawless beer and is ranked #18 in Illinois. They are most well known for "Hefeweizen", which is a Wheat Beer and "Vienna Lager", which is a Vienna Lager. Their primary focus is brewing Wheat Beers and Pale Lagers.
Rating
4.45Exceptional
Popularity
Well rated
6
Pipeworks Brewing Company
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Pipeworks Brewing Co was established in 2012 by home brewers who had a dream to create quality beers with a high level of creativity and thoughtful experimentation. In the early years, the scrappy team of brewers generated an early following and developed street cred in the local Chicago market by releasing almost one new beer a week. In 2014, Pipeworks expanded into a larger production facility in the Hermosa neighborhood of Chicago. The team has grown but in numbers and in skill level, but the same core emphasis on quality and creativity remains. Today, Pipeworks Brewing Co's beers are still self distributed throughout Chicagoland, but now Pipeworks beers, including their number 1 selling beer, "Ninja vs Unicorn" Double India Pale Ale, can be found in multiple states thanks to partnerships with distributors who share a similar commitment to quality. Hometown fans of Pipeworks Brewing Co can find a wide and fresh selection of Pipeworks beers available for pickup from "The Dojo", the to-go shop located within their production facility in Hermosa.
Rating
4.44Exceptional
Popularity
Extremely widely rated
7
Hubbard’s Cave
Niles, Illinois, United States
Hubbard's Cave produce's high quality beer and is ranked #24 in Illinois. They are most well known for "Coffee & Cakes (All Canned Dates)", which is an Imperial Stout and "French Toast (All Canned Dates)", which is an Imperial Pastry Stout. Their primary focus is brewing Dark Beers and IPAs.
Rating
4.35Great
Popularity
Widely rated
8
Old Irving Brewing Co.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Old Irving Brewing Co. produce's world class beer and is ranked #15 in Illinois. They are most well known for "Beezer", which is a New England IPA and "Double Beezer", which is an Imperial New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.
Rating
4.30Great
Popularity
Widely rated
9
Saint Errant Brewing
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Rating
4.26Great
Popularity
Well rated
10
Keeping Together
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Keeping Together produce's high quality beer and is ranked #18 in Illinois. They are most well known for "The Art of Holding Space", which is a Table Beer and "The Grace of Maybe", which is a Saison. Their primary focus is brewing Saisons and Pale Ales.
Rating
4.25Great
Popularity
Lightly rated
11
Marz Community Brewing Co.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Marz Community Brewing Co makes small, artisanal batches of beer in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. Marz supports various cultural and social platforms that help us build the community of the future.
Rating
4.24Great
Popularity
Widely rated
12
Open Outcry Brewing Company
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Innovative brewery and pizza kitchen located on the southside of Chicago in the Beverly-Morgan Park neighborhood. We pursue the perfect beer every day, and we won't stop until we find it!
Rating
4.23Great
Popularity
Modestly rated
13
Alarmist Brewing
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Alarmist Brewing produce's flawless beer and is ranked #17 in Illinois. They are most well known for "Le Jus", which is a New England IPA and "Pantsless Pale Ale", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
4.22Great
Popularity
Well rated
14
Neuronova Brewing
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Rating
4.21Great
Popularity
Barely rated
15
Revolution Brewing
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Revolution Brewing produce's high quality beer and is ranked #39 in Illinois. They are most well known for "Anti-Hero", which is an American IPA and "Fist City", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.
Rating
4.20Great
Popularity
One of the most-rated breweries anywhere
16
Cruz Blanca
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Cruz Blanca Craft Cerveza produce's high quality beer and is ranked #42 in Illinois. They are most well known for "Palm Shade Tropical Hazy IPA", which is a New England IPA and "El Train IPA", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.
Rating
4.17Great
Popularity
Well rated
17
Corridor Brewery & Provisions
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Corridor is a craft brewery and restaurant in Chicago’s West Lakeview neighborhood, located in the center of the Southport Corridor. Our beer program consists of an ever-changing draft list with styles ranging from hazy IPAs to fruited kettle sours and funk-forward saisons. Our beers are only available at the brewery and to-go in 32oz crowlers and 64oz growlers.
Rating
4.14Great
Popularity
Well rated
18
BuckleDown Brewing
Lyons, Illinois, United States
BuckleDown Brewing is a small Craft Brewery making bold, flavorful beers in Lyons, IL. We've found that the two qualities that make great brewers (or great anything for that matter) are creativity and determination. These are the principles that inspired a strong Chicago work ethic and the motivation of the artisans and tradesmen who brought it to life here. We're are humbled to take part in what is becoming a world-class craft beer movement in Illinois. Good to know you. We're BuckleDown.
Rating
3.97Fine
Popularity
Well rated
19
Hopewell Brewing Co.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Hopewell Brewing Co. produce's good quality beer and are constantly experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "Ride Or Die", which is an American Pale Ale and "Clover Club", which is a Sour. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.
Rating
3.97Fine
Popularity
Well rated
20
Double Clutch Brewing Company
Evanston, Illinois, United States
Double Clutch Brewing Company produce's decent quality beer and has a decent variety of ones to choose from. They are most well known for "Little Juice Coupe", which is a New England IPA and "Helles Lager", which is a Helles Lager. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.
Rating
3.97Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
21
Moderne Dune
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Moderne Dune produce's high quality beer and is ranked #47 in Illinois. They are most well known for "River Yacht", which is a Cold IPA and "Kick’A Kohia", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.96Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
22
Une Année Brewery
Niles, Illinois, United States
Une Année Brewery produce's fine quality beer and are usually experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "Framboise", which is a Wild Ale - American and "Pêche", which is a Wild Ale - American. Their primary focus is brewing Sours and Wild Ales.
Rating
3.95Fine
Popularity
Widely rated
23
Duneyrr Fermenta Winery and Brewery
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Duneyrr Fermenta Winery and Brewery produce's decent quality beer and are regularly brewing different ones. They are most well known for "Sauvyn Blanc", which is a Fruited Sour and "Freya Franc", which is a Grape Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Sours and IPAs.
Rating
3.95Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
24
Sketchbook Brewing Co.
Skokie, Illinois, United States
Beer is community. Beer is our Art. Sketchbook was founded in 2014 by homebrewers Cesar Marron and Shawn Decker and has locations in both Evanston and Skokie. We brew a wide range of historical and adventurous beer styles.
Rating
3.95Fine
Popularity
Well rated
25
Off Color Brewing
Chicago, Illinois, United States
At some point John and Dave were born. They did other stuff for a while and then they figured out they were better at making beer than at the other stuff. So that's what they do now. They met while both studied at the oldest and most respected brewing school (of the two...and by the brewers that went to the one) in the US, the Siebel Institute, in 2008 and the brewery was envisioned while they both interned at Metropolitan Brewing afterwards. Most of Off Color's business plan is based off of Doug and Tracy at Metro knowing what they're doing, so you should go buy some of their beer too. After cutting their teeth at larger breweries, the two somehow convinced enough otherwise-very-smart-people to invest enough money for them to buy some big shiny things to make their own beer in. So that's what they do now.
Rating
3.94Fine
Popularity
Very widely rated
26
Hop District Community Brewing Co.
La Grange Park, Illinois, United States
Family owned: live local, drink local. We are proud to be a part of La Grange Park and we love our friends and neighbors, so we built a place for people to come together and have beer with friends. We are an IPA and Lager focused craft brewery but never shy away from sours, big imperial stouts, and plenty of seasonal brews. With a beautiful lounge, enclosed beer garden, and a taproom with open views of our brewhouse, we know you'll love spending hot summer days or cool winter nights with us.
Rating
3.94Fine
Popularity
Lightly rated
27
The Perch Kitchen & Tap
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Rating
3.94Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
28
Spiteful Brewing
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Spiteful Brewing produce's fine quality beer and are usually experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "Working for the Weekend", which is an Imperial IPA and "Spiteful IPA", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.
Rating
3.93Fine
Popularity
Widely rated
29
Alulu
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Alulu produce's decent quality beer and are constantly experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "Ghostly Liso", which is a Mexican Lager and "Locus Pocus", which is a Sour. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.
Rating
3.92Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
30
Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co. produce's good quality beer and are constantly experimenting brewing new ones. They are most well known for "Annexation Ale", which is an American IPA and "Kitchen Sink Pale Ale", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.
Rating
3.92Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
31
Forbidden Root Brewing Company
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Forbidden Root is introducing a new line of craft botanical beer using natural ingredients including herbs, spices, barks, roots, honeys, stems, seeds, nuts, vanilla bean and cacao beans. We brew our beers in Chicago, IL with all natural ingredients and inspiration from early American brewing – when native plants and botanicals were a natural part of the rich, delicious beers of that forgotten era.
Rating
3.91Fine
Popularity
Well rated
32
Kinslahger Brewing Company
Oak Park, Illinois, United States
Kinslahger Brewing Company produce's good quality beer and are regularly brewing different ones. They are most well known for "Chicago Common", which is a Rye Beer and "Prohibition Pilsner", which is an Other Pilsner. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and Rye Beers.
Rating
3.91Fine
Popularity
Modestly rated
33
Niteglow
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Rating
3.91Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
34
Begyle Brewing
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Located in the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor of Chicago (also known as “Malt Row”), Begyle Brewing prides itself on offering a diverse and approachable selection of quality beer that brings people together. We’ve built a community of beer lovers with our CSB (community supported brewery) program, offering members 6 or 12-month growler-fill subscriptions and by hosting events and supporting local organizations. Begyle’s brewery and taproom have become a neighborhood staple, as well as a destination for travelers.
Rating
3.90Fine
Popularity
Widely rated
35
Moor’s Brewing Company
Chicago, Illinois, United States
In 711 AD, Tariq Ibn Ziyad led Moors of Berber decent across the Strait of Gibraltar between Africa and Europe – conquering Spain for the next 700 years. They introduced new scientific techniques to the European culture, including a distillation and fermentation process that produced what they called al-kuhl. This beer pays homage to the rich untold history of our African ancestry and the “original craftsmen” that made it happen.
Rating
3.90Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
36
Pilot Project Brewing
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Pilot Project Brewing is a community-focused, micro-brewing and tasting space that fosters experimental, small-batch brewing and acts as an industry-defining collaborative brewing incubator. Our philosophy is with 200+ growing breweries in Chicago, why compete when you can support them all? Check out our tasting room on Milwaukee Ave to see what we're all about.
Rating
3.89Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
37
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Moody Tongue Brewery opened in 2014 under the direction of acclaimed brewmaster Jared Rouben. Moody Tongue, a nickname for a guest with a discerning palate, features “culinary brewing,” Rouben’s original approach that combines the worlds of brewing and cooking through the application of a chef's mindset to the brewing process. Classically trained at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Rouben worked in lauded Michelin-starred kitchens such as the Martini House in Napa, CA, and Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York City before moving to Chicago to pursue a career in brewing. During the fall of 2016, Moody Tongue introduced a tasting room to its brewery in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, serving year-round and limited-release beers in an intimate mid-century modern atmosphere with Michelin-minded service. The Tasting Room is open Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Tasting Room is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Rating
3.88Fine
Popularity
Widely rated
38
One Lake Brewing
Oak Park, Illinois, United States
Rating
3.88Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
39
Odious Cellars
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Odious Cellars produce's good quality beer and has a decent variety of ones to choose from. They are most well known for "Physis Nomos", which is a Brett IPA and "The Secret History of All Things", which is a Saison. Their primary focus is brewing Sours and IPAs.
Rating
3.88Fine
Popularity
Barely rated
40
Haymarket Beer Company
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Haymarket Brewing is a bar for working people — all kinds of working people: first responders, truck drivers, IT technicians, dentists, lawyers, electricians, chefs, brewers…anyone who wants a place to come and put down their hat after a long day on the job. We celebrate working people in our name, which comes from our location: Chicago’s Haymarket Square, the site of the world famous Haymarket Affair of 1886. That affair — which included a demonstration, riot, and bombing — led directly to the creation of the eight-hour workday, and annual May Day celebrations that are still held around the globe.
Rating
3.87Fine
Popularity
Widely rated