Are you a beer lover? A refreshing beer is great on a summer day and is a lovely excuse to catch up with friends. Have you ever thought about combining your next vacation with your love of beer? Perhaps a long weekend with friends or a romantic getaway with a loved one who shares your passion for trying new beers. You decide! Below are the best beer festivals and breweries to include in your visit to Chicago.

Chicago Breweries

There are more than 12 breweries in and around the city of Chicago. This means that you can sample some new flavors while exploring Chicago. Here are some of the best breweries to add to your itinerary.

Dovetail Brewery

This hidden gem is a small brewery on a quiet road with friendly staff. It’s the type of place that you would want to make your regular haunt, if you lived locally.  With lots of bottled beers and beers on tap, there is plenty for you to taste and enjoy.

Beers to taste: Hefeweizens, X01 Flanders Rauc, Paulina Meat Market brat and the chocolatey Dunklebier.

Address: 1800 W Belle Plaine

Three Floyds Brewing Co.

With excellent beer choices and a strong heavy metal atmosphere, Three Floyds Brewing Co. is another establishment worth a visit. Located on the outskirts of the city, it also offers great food. The Gourmet Mac and Cheese is delicious!

Beers to taste: The bourbon barrel-aged Spazzerack, the locally brewed Four Phantoms, which is an imperial blonde ale and the year-round pale ale, Permanent Funeral.

Address: 9750 Indiana Pkwy, Munster

Half Acre Brewery

This brewery is loud and lively, with a great tap room. If you enjoy a vibrant atmosphere Half Acre Brewery is the place for you. However, if you don’t like being part of a crowd consider one of the other breweries.

Beer to taste: Gone Away and Vallejo. Plus, the extra pale ale Tuna and the 8% double pale ale Double Daisy Cutter.

Address: 4257 N Lincoln Ave

Goose Island Brewery

The Goose Island Brewery was founded in 1988 and has become one of the most successful craft breweries in Chicago, with both industry awards and public popularity. Along with a fun and interesting tour, you get to sample 3 beers and receive a souvenir glass. It is a good idea to eat a meal before your visit, as there are only snacks available.

Address: 1800 W Fulton Street

Beer Festivals in Chicago

Mix up your vacation with a fun beer festival. These two festivals are popular, so you may need to book your tickets in advance.

Friday Night Flights

If you want to visit Chicago in the summer, schedule your trip with the Chicago Friday Night Flights. This is a huge festival which takes place on multiple Fridays at many different and exciting venues around the city. It is cheaper to buy tickets in advance, otherwise its $20 upon entry. The admission fee includes 10 x 3oz pours of sample beer, live entertainment, and food stalls.

Chicago Beer Festival

For around $50 you can attend the Chicago Beer Festival, which takes place in March. This is a great way to taste a wide range of beers as there are over 60 brewery stalls waiting to be sampled. But it is not all about beer, there are also great live music bands, delicious food stands, and museum exhibits.