For the locals, what is the best spot for a wide selection (tap or bottle)…haven’t spent much time here, so any guidance would be great.
A start Best Beer Bars: Chicago Bar Project
Also. if you find yourself on the Mag Mile, there is a restaurant/bar in the Tribune Tower with 100+ beers on tap http://www.howellsandhood.com/drinks-pages-334.php
Urban Burger at Halsted & Clyburn has a nice list.
North side, up by Wrigley is Sheffield’s. Best place I know. Map Room has a large selection as well.
Sheffield’s for American craft with a Midwest focus
Map Room or Hopleaf for a balance tilted a bit more toward Europe
Fountainhead, Bangers & Lace, and Half Acre’s taproom are other favorites of mine
Delilah’s, typically most worthwhile for sipping on whiskey, is having a sour beer event / tap takeover this Sunday afternoon FWIW
I really like Hopleaf. The Map Room is also nice.
I like to go to Sun Wa for duck (and other great Chinese food)
then Hopleaf for beers.
Park in-between the two and walk a bit before & after.
Sun Wah
5039 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 769-1254
Hopleaf
5148 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 334-9851
Hey Mel, how long does the walk take?
Since taps change are frequently changing, you might want to check Beermenus http://www.beermenus.com/
to see if the current list is appealing. The Local Option usually has some excellent beer on tap and a very fairly priced bottle list. Here’s a link to the Local Option tap list:
Local Option Bar - Beer Menu - Chicago, IL
I might have to go over there today for a Justin Blabaer. The Local Option is located at 1102 West Webster.
Its three blocks between them
Hopleaf is my personal favorite. Great beer selection, food ranges from great (mussels & frites) to good (everything else), lots of space. Since the American craft beer scene has exploded, the tap list has been leaning more domestic. Map Room is smaller and still emphasizes imports (and import-influenced domestics). They don’t serve food (other than pretzel rods), but The Bristol is walkable from there. I go to Fountainhead a fair bit - it’s in my neighborhood. It has an interesting beer list, but I usually end up getting whiskey. They have a great list.
Sheffield’s and Local Option are also very good, but I don’t go out much in Lincoln Park & Wrigleyville.
according to Google walking map posted above, 11 min.
I live exactly between the two, so you can add stopping by my place for drinks to the to do list in Andersonville.
Wow, was that on purpose? I’m impressed.
I’d never do something like that…
Not too far from Hopleaf, Fountainhead at Montrose and Damen has a pretty extensive beer list, and a nice roof deck. The food is better at Hopleaf, but there isn’t as much of a wait at Fountainhead.
I should mention – if you find yourself in the northern suburbs, head to Firkin in Libertyville.