Half Acre/Revolution - Chicago, IL

Our last two stops in Chicago were Revolution Brewing and Half Acre Brewing. I have already visited, and reviewed these.
http://breweryinfo.blogspot.com/2013/07/half-acre-beer-company-chicago-il.html
http://breweryinfo.blogspot.com/2013/07/revolution-brewing-chicago-il.html

Revolution was a full house. I got the Deaths Tar which I was excited to try...a very strong Bourbon Aged Stout. I loved it! But it was so packed we didn't stay long.

Half Acre too was very crowded. I basically sampled every beer on the board and was sadly disappointed. The first time I visited them a year and a half ago I didn't appreciate them or even know much about them. This time I went in with high hopes after trying many of their beers and loving them. Sadly they all fell flat with me this time around. 

But both are absolutely worth a visit to judge for yourself...grab some lunch at Revolution and then go to Half Acre they aren't too far apart. Plus right around the corner from Revolution is the awesome beer store Beer Temple which I also have already reviewed.
http://breweryinfo.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-beer-temple-chicago-il.html

Dry Hop - Chicago, IL

After Lagunitas we stopped for lunch at a great place called Dry Hop. It was crowded, but got a table instantly. This is a brewery, but really just looks like a nice lunch place.

Below is a picture of the beers I got, I am not discussing them 1 by 1 because honestly none stood out. None were gross...but it was all average for my taste.

The highlight here is the food. This lunch was incredible. I split meals with my father. I got the burger with fries which was an incredible burger. I am usually not a big fan of burgers, but this was done to perfection and the fries were fantastic as well. My father got the french toast that was crusted with Capt'n Crunch. It was a little on the sweet side..but probably the best french toast I've ever had. Here is the description of these two items to get your mouth watering:

THE CAPTAIN’S FRENCH TOAST: Fresh Challah bread dipped in a Rum-spiked egg and cream batter, ‘crusted’ in Captain Crunch cereal, and accompanied by Liquid Cheesecake, Blueberries, and warm Bourbon Maple Syrup.

THE BURGER: Our Custom Blend with Ancho Chile-Tomato Jam, Arugula, Pickled Sweet Onions, and Raw Milk Cheddar (option: add Applewood Smoked Bacon).
If you're out and about in the city, come stop here for a beer and lunch you will NOT regret this decision. They also fill crowlers which have a very unique and fun design.

 Check them out for yourself! http://www.dryhopchicago.com/drink/beer/

Lagunitas Brewing Company - Chicago, IL

I can't say our first stop was Lagunitas on day 1. It actually was 18th Street Brewing for a bottle release of Imperial Blud (which was all cinnamon, wasn't a fan), and Deal with the Devil Citra Pale Ale which was delicious!
After the release we moved into the city to the new Lagunitas Brewing Co...originally out of California but now operating also in Chicago. Was a little tough to find with 1 way streets everywhere, but in no time we were parked in front of this MASSIVE brewery.

Upon entering we were greeted by 4 people...1 actually working and the others lingering. Checked ID's and then on our way down a very long hallway. Can you say Willy Wonka? They had the Chocolate Factory music playing (Pure Imagination) with flashing colored lights. At the end of this hallway you are greeted by a poster made entirely of bottle caps.

You then make a left and walk down another hallway. At the end of this hallway there is another worker sitting at a desk telling you to take the stairs (a sign would do just fine, but hey not my brewery). After a few stairs, finally you get into the taproom. GIANT taproom. Lots of tables with a great view of the entire brewing process below.

We ordered our beers at the bar and grabbed a table with a nice view. A waiter came over, and sternly said if we were sitting there we should of asked because we need a waiter to be sitting there. There was probably 30 open tables...no idea we had to ask permission..but whatever.

I have had their beer before, never a HUGE fan but a fan. I got a sampler that included Born Yesterday which was a hopped up Pale Ale, Lil Sumthin' Sumthin', Sucks, and Hop Stoopid. All I can say is nothing even came close to Born Yesterday. Hands down the best beer they have ever made..it was powerful, delicious, hoppy, smelled fantastic, just wow. I then decided to get a second sampler..which is shown below also and I honestly don't even remember them. The stout was good I recall, but Born Yesterday just killed it.

Before we left we did a self tour in which you can walk all around outside the taproom and look down at the brewing process. Quick stop at the gift shop and we were on our way.

If you are in Chicago, it is worth checking this place out. They had a food menu (we didn't eat), a giant gift shop, and plenty of space. Check them out..https://lagunitas.com/taproom/chicago/

Goose Island Brewery - Chicago, IL

On our fourth day, after a long trip to the Shedd Aquarium and Art Museum, we just wanted dinner and a beer and I never had even realized Goose Island was in the area. While I have never been a huge fan of their beer, I figured I should try it for the history. I am glad I did! We went to the original brewery (there are other locations throughout the city). Our waitress was extremely friendly. They had a gift shop stand with plenty of merch to offer.  We of course got the sampler...

-All Purpose IPA was nice and smooth, the regular IPA was decent, Silver Jubilee was strong and malty it was eh, Lions Share Imperial wasn't bad, Dove Summer Ale was light and drinkable but nothing special, Willow St. Wit not bad it was tasty, Sofie Oak Aged Belgian Farmhouse good but not my taste, Strawberry Rhubarb Saison was tasty, and the Black Candle Stout was toasty and tasty.

-As for dinner I had the BBQ pulled pork it was really good, I also tried the veggie burger which was really good, and along with my sandwich I had beans and coleslaw which were both really good. 

-While Goose Island won't have the best beer in Chicago, it was classy, clean, the beer wasn't horrible, staff was very helpful and I enjoyed the experience. It's also got private lots all around for parking including a place called Binny's Beverage Depot right next to it which had a LOT of good beers for sale. Check them out...www.gooseisland.com

Haymarket Pub & Brewery - Chicago, IL

Our last stop of the night was more into downtown Chicago at the Haymarket Pub & Brewery.  Lots of seating..inside and outside, we got a bar table.  Our waitress was very friendly, ordered a little app and got a beer sampler of course.  The one thing I will say I didn't like and its silly but hey it bothered me...the bathroom is downstairs and it has a small step that I KNOW for a fact plenty of really drunk people may kill themselves on, just saying.

-As for the beer we had the Ombibulous IPA it was good, Defender American Stout that was good, Rubber Monkey Belgian Wheat IPA not bad, Buckledown Fiddlesticks IPA was eh, and Mathias Imperial was my favorite of them all. I get worried when a brewery makes too many IPAs and none are that good, unfortunately this is one of them but I did enjoy the Imperial IPA so I'll give them that.

-The chicken wings were tasty and not too expensive.

-All in all it was it's worth a visit for a quick snack and quick beer. I do like their glass, I bought it at the small merch stand they have at the entrance along with typical brewery merch.  Check them out..haymarketbrewing.com/‎

Half Acre Beer Company - Chicago, IL

After a few beer store stops it was time to hit up Chicago's breweries. First stop was Half Acre.  Located north of Chicago, it's in a busier part of town but we were lucky to find once we got there that it wasn't TOO packed....probably because it was a Tuesday at 3pm.  They have a giant merchandise store next door to the tap room.  TONS of merchandise for sale.

-As for the beer samples we had...Space IPA was realy nice, Navaja Imperial IPA was really nice, Daisy Cutter Pale Ale was really good and hoppy for a pale, Pony Pils was pretty good.

-Not much else to say because this stop was simple, very nice people working at the bar and gift shop, tasty beer, MUCH recommended when you're in the Chicago area...check out their current taps halfacrebeer.com/

The Beer Temple - Chicago, IL

I wanted to write something because I really liked this store! First off, I called Beer Temple after not being able to find Zombie Dust at Three Floyds brewing hoping they'd have some.  Now they didn't have any Zombie but he is the one who recommended the place where we DID find it which I respect.
-We went shopping there after buying our over priced six pack of Zombie.  Very nice store, with lots of good choices and the owner is very educated with his beer.  He also gives you a FREE sample of a unique beer that's always changing. Our taste of Hill Farmstread's The Susan IPA which I had heard plenty about but haven't had! It was very tasty and was just awesome that it's free.
-I ended up buying half a case worth of 22's and left a happy camper. For a beer store in Chicago, this is the one you want to go! Check out his website he also rates beers as a web series which is fun to watch...craftbeertemple.com/