10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Schaumburg

"If you are trying to figure out where to get craft beer in Chicago, Half Acre Beer Company has two brewery locations — one in Lincoln and one in Balmoral — and each is equipped with a taproom and kitchen. The Balmoral location has an outdoor beer garden, while the Lincoln location is where it all began. Their dedication to both time-honored classics and exciting special releases — all offered in colorful, aesthetically pleasing cans — makes Half Acre one of Chicago’s favorite local beers."

"The Half Acre Beer Company has two Chicago locations, one on Lincoln Avenue and the other on Balmoral. Both locations are similar in that they offer patrons both kitchens and taprooms. However, if you want to buy something from the gift shop, you’ll have to go to the Lincoln location."

"Go to Moody Tongue for an elevated brewery experience|Courtesy of Moody Tongue. The Moody Tongue philosophy is all about culinary brewing: applying a chef’s mindset, with the most creative flavors and highest quality ingredients, to creating beer. (Brewmaster Jared Rouben has a background in Michelin-star dining.) Visit the tasting room, housed inside a former glass factory, and you’ll get an elevated brewery experience in every regard, from the impeccable service to the flavorful beers and a small, thoughtfully curated food menu including oysters flown in daily, baguettes and sausages, and a 12-layer German chocolate cake."

"This acclaimed Chicago brewery has a sleek black-and-wood tap room that’s both comforting and refined, with mid-century furniture, a historic library of brewing books, and an eye-catching fireplace. The beers at Moody Tongue evoke the same vibe, with a specialty beer program that includes whiskey and wine barrel-aged brews and their renowned Farmers Market Series and Sour Series offerings."

"Lincoln Park/Wrigleyville Most hipsters may have abandoned Goose Island since it “went mainstream” with its much-maligned sale to InBev in 2011, but the brewery that basically started the Chicago craft beer scene continues to make high-quality beers worthy of your attention. Founded in 1988 and shut out of the Great America Beer Festival for the first time last year (it is no longer considered “craft”), Goose Island continues to forge ahead by opening new brewpubs across the globe in addition to its two Chicago locations. 312 is the beer most locals know best, but Goose’s food-focused offerings like Sofia and Matilda are steadily increasing in popularity."

"Goose Island brews are well known throughout Chicago and the country and some folks have scoffed at the mainstream reach since the 2011 sale of the company to InBev. Since 1988, however, this beer company has consistently produced high-quality, great-tasting beers, and while it’s no longer considered a craft brewery by any stretch of the imagination, Goose Island’s beers are still striking and delicious. Visit the Goose Island taproom on Fulton Street or the one on Clybourn Avenue and order a 312 Urban Wheat Ale, Goose IPA, Green Line Pale Ale, or a Ms Brightside."

"Goose Island Beer Company may have multiple locations in the U.S., but John Hall opened the first brewery in Chicago after returning home from a trip to Europe that inspired him to bring good beer to the states. The brewery has separate rooms for innovation programs and yeast propagation units. Barrel-aged beers have a 143,00 square foot barrel warehouse and dedicated stockroom."

"If German-style lagers are your thing, then head straight for Metropolitan Brewing—they’ve been making this sort of beer since 2009 and they’re quite good at it. Krankshaft, the flagship brew, is made year-round and offered at Soldier Field, O’Hare and Midway International Airports, and at the home of the White Sox. Once a bit under the radar, the popularity of Metropolitan Brewing has increased since the addition of the Rockwell Taproom (listed on their website as dog, kid and freak-friendly) in Avondale, overlooking the Chicago River."

"Another north-side brewery that knows their specialty and sticks to it, Metropolitan has a huge industrial-style space on the Chicago river a few minutes from Bucktown. Their outdoor patio is the perfect place to enjoy their German-style lagers while taking in a view of the Windy City skyline. The staff here are incredibly welcoming, and the taproom manages to retain a friendly neighborhood feeling to it while serving up some world-class beers."

"Don’t be fooled by the warehouse aesthetic—there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than you realize. This BYO food joint nestled up on the riverbanks in Bucktown offers outdoor seating with gorgeous views of the surrounding greenery, making you feel like you’re miles outside the city limits."

"Corridor is a sophisticated project, the brainchild of Siebel- and Doemens-educated Greg Shuff. Also on the team are Director of Brewing Operations Brant Dubovick, who previously led Pittsburgh’s Church Brew Works to the Great American Beer Festival’s Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year Award, and Executive Chef Ryan Henderson, who cut his teeth at Momofuku, Empellon, and Alder. The outstanding pedigree has led to flavorful hop bombs like Ope Fresh Hop Pale Ale and subtle farmhouse beers like Little Greys Light Saison, as well as a food menu featuring delicate salads, hearty sandwiches, and artisan pizzas."

"Farmhouse-style ales go hand in hand with a rustic farmhouse kitchen at Corridor Brewery & Provisions. Pair one of their hop-forward brews with a Midwest bar snacks or an artisan pizza made with local ingredients. The always-changing draft list ranges from double IPAs to fruity sours to funky saisons."

"Corridor Brewery and Provisions is a creative gastropub that features seasonal brews. It is a warehouse-style brewery with delicious meals. As a craft brewery, they regularly change their draft list."

"Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery is a welcoming and engaging craft beer experience with a variety of unique craft beer freshly brewed on site to pair with our popular American crave-able food like our Brewery Nachos Bacon Chicken Mac n’ Cheese, Fish and Chips and Bacon Cheddar Burger."

"The founders, former tech co-workers turned brewers, rehabbed much of the 19th-century industrial building themselves. The result is a soaring but cozy space that features brick walls, a 40-foot-long oak bar, a patio, and picnic tables that encourage mingling. They also encourage you to bring your everything, including food, games, darts, kids, and dogs — but they’re got the beer covered."

"Lo Rez has spent the last year posting snapshots of their great events so we're so excited that they have reopened their space (with precautions!). They are also offering cheap home delivery throughout the Chicago area."

"One of Chicago’s best craft beer stores moved into a larger space in Roscoe Village and recently began food service. While Bitter Pops’ ownership stressed that it will be a taproom first, its chef wants to push the boundaries of pub food. They’ve brought over spice bags from the U.K., stuffing them with seasoned fries and peppers."

"Small-batch donuts are the name of the game at this adorable Glenview spot, where they bypass preservatives and trans fats in favor of natural ingredients, making all of the jams and fillings in-house. The Boston Cream, stuffed with rich pastry cream and glazed with shiny ganache, and the oh-so-springy Strawberry Glazed are highlights."

"Last year I fell in love with Italianette, which sadly closed when the Fulton Galley food hall shuttered after only seven months. It left a pasta-shaped hole in my heart - one I didn’t realize I’d been trying to fill until I ordered from Flour Power. And while this carryout-only West Town spot isn’t quite the same, the short menu of handmade pastas is all I could ever want when I need a pasta pick-me-up."

"Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a seafood chain restaurant that is known for being family-friendly while offering a choice of tasty seafood menu items along with American fare. Seafood lovers and those who are not can dine together and both be satisfied at this versatile restaurant. It offers a fishing boat themed setting that appeals to both young and old."

"The upscale Gale Street Inn serves some of Chicago’s finest ribs, along with other mouth-watering American eats. Try the “Pullman Burger,” savor some of their delicious jambalaya, or, if you can’t decide and want a bit of everything, order the “Porkapalooza,” which includes a generous sampling of all their pork options (along with their famous ribs) and the jambalaya. The Gale Street Inn originally opened as a tavern in 1963, just across the street from where it is located now."

"A light-filled oasis dedicated to the sights and sounds of true India, The Indian Garden is one of the best restaurants in Chicago for enjoying an authentic Indian dining experience. Select from a diverse menu of delicious choices for vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners alike, listed by ingredients for easy ordering. The Indian Garden | 247 E."

"In 1939, just after arriving in the U.S. from Yugoslavia, Jimmy Stefanovic took over his aunt’s hot dog stand when she fell ill. Shortly thereafter, in 1941, Jim bought the stand from his aunt and began making his signature Maxwell Street Polish Sausage Sandwiches. What began as a simple recipe turned into something of a legend."