CRAFT BREWS OF CHICAGO
"Air Chicago is thrilled to provide our readers with a detailed list of establishments that do not just brew beer, but also, celebrate it."
What sets the city’s beer and brewery scene apart — and captivates the interest of beverage aficionados from near and far — is the fact that its craft goes beyond just mere production. The art of brewing in the Windy City pays homage to its history of innovation. It revolves around creating unique flavors, the simple enjoyment and novelty of sipping a newly discovered eccentric brew, and the celebration of the people involved. Here, innovation, artistry, and diversity converge, and the present-day craft beer scene is flourishing due to several breweries and minority-owned businesses that are not only setting trends but also raising the bar.
Each Chicago brewery boasts its unique flair, becoming a notable thread in the rich tapestry of the city’s neighborhoods and cultural identity. From the artistic vistas of Pilsen and Chicago’s North Side Malt Row to the vibrant enclave of Logan Square, the city’s breweries are not just places to savor a pint, but also, settings backed with stories waiting to be discovered.
ERIS Brewery and Cider House
Named after the Greek goddess known for destruction, and to champion female cider makers who work in a predominantly male-dominated field, ERIS Brewery and Cider House has cultivated a variety of year-round cider. From cider’s classic apple taste to funky seasonal ones, like strawberry rhubarb and peach, ERIS provides a spectacular selection to those looking to try something new.
Location: 4240 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641
Moor’s Brewing Company
Established on Juneteenth in 2021, Moor’s Brewing Company is a relatively new addition to the Chicago beer scene. Proudly belonging to the 1% of Black-owned businesses in the industry, the brewery strives to make its mark. Using bold ingredients that are exceptionally unique when it comes to cultivating beer, the brewery offers flavorful varietals such as its Session Ale, which includes notes of papaya, key lime, and lemongrass.
Sold in various establishments.
Turner Häus Brewery
Located on the South Side of Chicago, this microbrewery has earned a reputation for its lively and inviting atmosphere. Turner Häus Brewery has gained fame for its craft of high-gravity beers, each specially named to honor the women of their family.
Location: 78 E 47th St, Chicago, IL 60653
Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Named after Arthur Guinness, the pioneer who commenced beer brewing in Dublin, Ireland, in 1759, Guinness Open Gate Brewery has extended far beyond its Irish roots. Presently, the company engages in brewing operations in nearly 50 countries worldwide, marking a global chapter in the business. Chicago’s Guinness Open Gate is in the heart of the West Loop, featuring a taproom, restaurant, and bakery.
Location: 901 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60607
Funkytown Brewery
Born out of a shared passion for beer-making, and guided by their love for ’90s hip-hop, three lifelong friends hailing from Oak Park came together to establish Funkytown Brewery. Proudly residing among the 1% of Black-owned businesses in the industry, the three visionaries craft flavorful beers with low ABV, low bitterness, and low astringency. Their standout creation, an American Pale Ale named HIP-HOPS and R&Brew, pays homage to the iconic hip-hop group The Fugees, even producing a can design illustrated with the faces of the group’s members.
Location: 2140 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Hopewell Brewing Co.
Visit Hopewell Brewery for all your beverage needs! Whether you are looking for an IPA, Lager, or Sour Ale, there are a variety of options to choose from. With a plentiful selection of beer on tap, bottled products, as well as cans, there is something available for every preference, occasion, and vibe.
Location: 2760 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Moody Tongue Brewery
Established in 2014 by cousins Jared Rouben and Jeremy Cohn, Moody Tongue Brewing Company embodies the philosophy of culinary brewing, earning two Michelin stars in 2022. Crafting balanced beers that unveil layers of flavors and aromatics, Moody Tongue offers seven perennial beers annually, alongside limited releases.
Location: 2515 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Casa Humilde Cerveceria
Mexican-American brothers Javier and Jose Lopez founded Casa Humilde Cerveceria in the walls of their childhood home in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood. Striving to craft both traditional and contemporary brews, the duo has developed a diverse range of beers incorporating ingredients commonly found in Latin cuisine. Notably, they collaborated with The National Museum of Mexican Art and The Chi Brewseum in 2022 to create the Frida, a hibiscus and lime Lager that celebrates Mexican culture.
Location: 417 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Half Acre Beer
Head over to Malt Row and pay a visit to Half Acre Beer, producers of American microbrews known for an unbridled intensity. With several Pale Ales and hazy IPAs available, beer lovers who walk through the doors are more than astisfied. Along with the brewery’s exciting taproom and beer garden space, Half Acre offers seasonal favorites, such as the brewery’s Fuzz Country and Vallejo India Pale Ale.
Location: 2050 W Balmoral Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Azadi Brewing
Azadi Brewing — an AAPI and BIPOC-owned business — was established in the Logan Square neighborhood by two best friends, Bhavik Modi and Gator Schrand. These visionaries set out to introduce Chicago to India’s rich history and culinary heritage by uniquely fusing American craft and the distinctive themes, tales, and histories of India. The business took form as Modi gained a profound appreciation for the cultural vibrancy of his home country as he frequently traveled — often flying out via O’Hare. All products from this family business are meticulously crafted in small-batch quantities in the very neighborhood where the business originated.
Location: 2140 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Luna Bay Booch
Luna Bay Booch emerged from a commitment to revolutionize the alcohol industry — they are dedicated to crafting superior products dedicated to well-being. Rooted in this vision, Luna Bay was initiated by a team of women driven by a passion for wellness to provide naturally brewed hard kombuchas, the first of its kind to be produced and distributed in Chicago. Immerse yourself in its gluten-free, low-sugar and naturally fermented crafts while feeling its benefits!
Sold in various locations.
Marz Community Brewing
Combining its love for craft beer, and the desire to make the city of Chicago a better place to live, Marz Community Brewing is all about experimenting, collaborating with local artists, and pursuing advocacy work. Presently, Marz operates on a 15-barrel brewhouse, producing small batches of handcrafted beer along with a variety of delightful offerings, which include kombucha, yerba, shrub sodas, and house-made seltzers.
Location: 3630 S Iron St, Chicago, IL 60609