10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Cook County

We've collected top 10 mentioned breweries and beer places in Cook County from other articles such as hoodline.com, OpenTable, The Infatuation.

Best Breweries and Beer Places in Cook County

Half Acre Beer Co Balmoral Take Away Cafe & Beer Garden
Half Acre Beer Co Balmoral Take Away Cafe & Beer Garden
4.7 (323 ratings)
Rotating house-brewed beers are tapped in a tasting room & seasonal garden & paired with pub fare.
2050 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA
Brewery
Mentioned by Choose Chicago
Chicago Breweries with Incredible Taprooms | Craft Beer
"Half Acre began brewing in its North Center location in 2009, and rapidly became a Chicago institution. The tap room conducts brewery tours, sells cool merch in its on-site store, and offers tastings of the goods — The Daisy Cutter brew is a prevailing favorite among locals. And their Andersonville taproom, just a bit north, features a popular beer garden."
Mentioned by Chicago Tribune
Outdoor dining at 45 patios, rooftops in Chicago this summer
"Lights sit above the beer garden at the Half Acre taproom and kitchen at the Balmoral Street production brewery. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune). What was once the larger, but younger of Half Acre’s two taprooms is now the sole location, after the Chicago brewery recently sold its original Lincoln Avenue taproom to Hop Butcher for the World."
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
Moody Tongue Brewing Company
4.6 (239 ratings)4 (14 ratings)
Exotic beers are offered along with oysters & cake at this brewery tasting room with a fireplace.
2515 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
RestaurantFood & DrinkBarBreweryEvent venue
Mentioned by Culture Trip
Sip Niche Beers at Chicago's Top 10 Craft Breweries
"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."
Mentioned by Choose Chicago
Chicago Breweries with Incredible Taprooms | Craft Beer
"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."
Mentioned by Choose Chicago
Fine Dining in Chicago | Guide to Michelin Star Restaurants
"It’s not often that you find a fine-dining tasting menu inside of a brewery. But everything about Moody Tongue will subvert your expectations. The kitchen at their intimate South Loop space is helmed by nine-time Michelin star chef Jared Wentworth, who has crafted a menu designed to thoughtfully elevate the intersection of food and beer."
Goose Island Taproom
Goose Island Taproom
4.7 (633 ratings)4.5 (207 ratings)
1800 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
BreweryFood & DrinkBrewpub
Mentioned by Choose Chicago
Chicago Breweries with Incredible Taprooms | Craft Beer
"One the most well-known Chicago-born breweries, Goose Island, operated a taproom room out of their Fulton Street brewery. Enjoy a freshly brewed pint of their classic brews, like 312 or Matilda, in the sleek taproom, with industrial seating and a combination of exposed brick and ceramic tiled walls. While you’re there, take a tour of the production facility for an inside look at the brewmaster’s process while sampling beers along the way."
Mentioned by UrbanMatter
14 Best Breweries to Visit in Chicago
"When you think Chicago, you think 312, the signature, school-bus-yellow bottle of beer from Goose Island. This popular, Chicago-based brewery has since expanded its single location on Fulton Street to several brewpubs and brewhouses around the city and beyond, so make sure to stop into one of your local Goose Island locations just in time for their fall releases."
Mentioned by Do312
The Best Breweries, Distilleries & Wineries In ...
"Goose Island continues to serve some of Chicago's finest beer, and a one-stop-shop for a perfect evening beer and bites. They offer tours of the brewery and are also open for brunch!. Place a pick-up order to enjoy all their offerings at home, and check out their menu for seasonal and limited-edition brews."
Metropolitan Brewing
Metropolitan Brewing
4.6 (435 ratings)
House beers are offered in a warehouselike tasting room with river views & BYO food (or order in).
3057 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
BreweryBar
Mentioned by Passion Passport
12 of the Best Breweries in Chicago & Chicagoland
"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."
Mentioned by LL World Tour
Eat Local: The Best Outdoor Dining in Chicago
"Tucked down Rockwell Avenue in the Avondale neighborhood, Metropolitan Brewing’s Tap Room sits right on the banks of the North Branch of the Chicago River. They’re currently building a massive outdoor patio right on the river, but in the meantime, you can get a beer, order food from the rotating delivery partners, and gaze at the green views out the massive floor to ceiling windows. ➙ Need a place to stay?"
Corridor Brewery & Provisions
Corridor Brewery & Provisions
4.4 (476 ratings)
Warehouse-style spot brewing seasonal beers to pair with creative gastropub cooking in funky digs.
3446 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
BreweryAmerican restaurantBarBrewpub
Mentioned by Culture Trip
Sip Niche Beers at Chicago's Top 10 Craft Breweries
"Sip and dine right alongside huge metallic fermentation tanks at Corridor Brewery and Provisions. Director of brewing operations Brant Dubovick ensures there’s an ever-evolving list of drafts, from hop-heavy IPAs to sparkling saisons and fruity sours. Corridor is also a full-fledged restaurant, so whether you’re in the mood for a “beer bite” like doughy pretzels, or something more substantial – say an artisanal pizza topped with BBQ pork or leek and goat cheese – it’s worth putting your name down for a table (the brewery doesn’t take reservations)."
Mentioned by Kev's Best
5 Best Craft Breweries in Chicago 🥇
"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 & Brewery
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
4.1 (891 ratings)
Brewpub chain serving house beers & upscale pub food & American fare in lively environs.
1 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
Bar & grillAmerican restaurantBreweryBrewpubHamburger restaurantSports bar
Mentioned by lyft.com
Top 10 Most Visited Breweries in Chicago
"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."
Midwest Coast Brewing Company
Midwest Coast Brewing Company
4.8 (104 ratings)
Mellow microbrewery offering tasting flights, regular events & pop-up food trucks on weekends.
2137 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
BreweryBar
Mentioned by South Side Social
Top 10 Local Breweries to Visit in Chicago
"Midwest Coast Brewing Company was founded by a brother and sister who use the face of their childhood dog, Maverick, as their brand logo. Midwest Coast Brewing Company has 12 taps, including rotating featured brews, like Friendsgiving. Friendsgiving is a British brown ale loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg and orange peel that shows up on their menu during the fall season."
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery
4.7 (417 ratings)
Warehouse-like tasting room with canned beers & specialty cocktails plus a menu of upscale pub food.
2717 N Maplewood Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Brewery
Begyle Brewing
Begyle Brewing
4.7 (381 ratings)4.5 (32 ratings)
Straightforward microbrewery & retailer teaming its craft beers with tours & more.
1800 W Cuyler Ave, Chicago, IL 60613, USA
BreweryFood & DrinkBar
Mentioned by Passion Passport
12 of the Best Breweries in Chicago & Chicagoland
"Situated right across the street from Dovetail, visit Begyle to switch it up after getting your fill of lagers — this is the opposite end of the beer spectrum. For the time being, they have a reservation system for their beer garden that’s quite typical of Chicago breweries at the moment. Begyle’s brews range from blondes to barrel aged stouts and everything in between."
Mentioned by Goats On The Road
21 Best Places To Eat in Chicago (Foodie Guide
"A neighbourhood bar where lots of locals chill out with a good brew and good friends. This is a smaller, no-frills place where you can drink good, artisanal beer. I recommend Begyle Brewing Co. because you’re likely to avoid the worst of any tourist crowd and get a chance to rub elbows with locals."
Mentioned by Kev's Best
5 Best Craft Breweries in Chicago 🥇
"Begyle Brewing offers an approachable and diverse collection of brews. They built a community-supported brewer program for beer lovers. It is a 6 or 2-month  growler fill subscription."
5 Rabbit Cervecería
5 Rabbit Cervecería
4.7 (197 ratings)
Latin American microbrewery with a cozy tasting room featuring a rotating selection of house beers.
6398 74th St, Bedford Park, IL 60638, USA
BreweryBarBeer store
Mentioned by Choose Chicago
Chicago Breweries with Incredible Taprooms | Craft Beer
"The first Latin American-inspired brewery in the U.S., 5 Rabbit infuses Hispanic culture into American beer styles. The brews, named for days on the Aztec calendar, include an avocado stout, Mexican lager, and fruit-forward styles inspired by Mexican paletas. Try them all in their cozy taproom — they’re the perfect complement to the tacos (served on Thursday evenings) and tamales (every Saturday afternoon)."

Best Beach in Cook County

Hartigan Beach
Hartigan Beach
4.6 (22 ratings)
Illinois 60626, USA
Beach
Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach
4.3 (211 ratings)
Illinois 60649, USA
Beach
Mentioned by VacationIdea
22 Best Beaches in Illinois
"Rainbow Beach is a 61-acre public beach and park within Chicago's South Chicago neighborhood, originally developed as two separate beaches in the early 20th century before being consolidated into a single beach when the area was acquired by the Chicago Park District in 1959. The beach is named in honor of the United States Army's World War I 42nd Rainbow Division and is located at the terminus of 75th Street at the Lake Michigan shoreline, one of 18 street-end municipal beaches located throughout the city. A field house at the beach, developed in 1999, offers a fitness center, gymnasium, handball courts, and multipurpose community rooms, while a nine-acre natural area preserves significant dune habitats."
Mentioned by Thrillist
Chicago’s 21 Best Beaches to Visit This Summer
"South ShoreLike many South Side beaches, Rainbow has a lovely view of the Downtown city skyline, as well as Wi-Fi, free parking, a playground, handball courts, and a nine-acre natural dune habitat. What more can you ask for?. What to know: With a gymnasium and fitness center, it’s Chicago’s version of Muscle Beach."
Mentioned by nerverush.com
5 Best Beaches in Chicago | Nerve Rush
"Located in the South Chicago neighborhood, Rainbow Beach is also connected to the Rainbow Beach Park. Pack a picnic and escape the hot sun for a midday lunch in the shaded park!"
Ohio Street Beach
Ohio Street Beach
4.5 (74 ratings)4 (113 ratings)
Sandy, accessible pocket of urban beach on the lake backed by parks & high-rise buildings.
Illinois 60611, USA
BeachNature & Parks

Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Cook County

Scooter's Frozen Custard
Scooter's Frozen Custard
4.7 (606 ratings)
Frozen custard shop with sundaes, floats, concretes (thick shakes) & loads of different toppings.
1658 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Ice cream shop
The Freeze
The Freeze
4.6 (678 ratings)
Classic chain known for soft-serve ice cream, also offering burgers, fries & other fast-food eats.
2815 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Ice cream shop
Mentioned by Time Out Chicago
The 14 best ice cream shops in Chicago
"Restaurants Ice cream parlors Logan Square. The Freeze is a vintage time warp, and while there aren’t nearly as many locations of the fast food restaurant (formerly known as Tastee Freez) as once dotted Chicago (there were dozens), you can still find one in Logan Square. Waffle and sugar cones are filled with a high peak of soft serve and dipped in throwback flavors like butterscotch, cotton candy and peanut butter."
Mentioned by Thrillist
The 15 Best Ice Cream Shops in Chicago
"Logan SquareSoft serve piled high and burgers served hot top the bill at this retro Logan Square drive-in. Formerly known as Tastee Freez and dating to 1950, The Freeze is a go-to spot that often draws long lines of customers encircling it during the warmer months. If you like your ice cream served velvety smooth and topped with a heaping dose of nostalgia, it’s hard to beat any order here."
Wonder Works Children's Museum
Wonder Works Children's Museum
4.5 (486 ratings)4.5 (7 ratings)
6,400 sq. ft. of play areas & interactive exhibits plus concerts tailored to kids 1 through 6.
6445 W North Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, USA
Children's museumMuseums

Best History Museum in Cook County

Chicago History Museum
Chicago History Museum
4.6 (2042 ratings)4.5 (1035 ratings)
Photos, artifacts, newsreels & dioramas bring to life historical events, architecture & more.
1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
History museumMuseumsCultural centerLocal history museum
Chicago Maritime Museum
Chicago Maritime Museum
4.8 (32 ratings)5 (19 ratings)
1200 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609, USA
Local history museumMuseumsMaritime museumHistory Museums
Chinese American Museum of Chicago
Chinese American Museum of Chicago
4.5 (177 ratings)4 (9 ratings)
Exhibits, collections & research promoting history & culture of Chinese-Americans in the Midwest.
238 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
MuseumHistory museumSpecialty Museums
Mentioned by Thrillist
The Coolest, Weirdest, and Best Museums in Chicago
"ChinatownLearn how one of the country’s oldest Chinatowns developed Chinatown is a favorite stop among visitors to Chicago, and the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is a must-see of the neighborhood. With a permanent exhibit that tells the story of Chinese immigration to the Midwest, plus rotating exhibits on things like Chinese clothing, art, and more, this museum is sure to teach visitors something new about an important culture that has been rooted in Chicago's community for more than 100 years. What to know before you go: The Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is open 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday and 9:30am to 2pm Tuesday-Friday."
Mentioned by Museum Hack
Museums in Chicago: The Complete List (2020
"The Chinese American Museum of Chicago opened in 2005 in Chicago's Chinatown. Three years after its opening, the museum suffered a fire and lost a considerable amount of its collection. Today, the museum is a hotbed of cultural artifacts from the Chinese culture and hosts a popular Chinese New Year celebration in the city each year."
Mentioned by Thrillist
Every Free Museum in Chicago
"238 W 23rd StHours: Tues-Fri, 9:30am-1:30pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-5pmSuggested donation: $5. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town."

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Cook County

3.8 (210 reviews)
Clarion Inn South Holland
Hotel
$72 /night
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4.5 (496 reviews)
Hotel Blake, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member
Hotel
$127 /night
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3-BR Designer's Apt in the Iconic Hyde Park
Apartment
$108 /night
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