Best Fall Craft Beers In Chicago
Harvest time is one of the best loved times of year for beer-lovers. With the craft beer industry simply booming in the United States, many breweries are whipping up their own batches of fall seasonal brews, including Octoberfest and pumpkin beers, Vienna and Munich style malts, and more. Whether tailgating or just hanging out in your back yard, you'll want some beers specially brewed to heat you up once the temperatures start to cool. Here is a list of some of the best fall craft beers to drink and enjoy this autumn in the Chicagoland area.
Revolution Brewing's Oktoberfest
2323 N Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-2739
revbrew.com
Only five years since they opened their doors and starting pouring beers at the brewpub, Revolution Brewing very quickly became the largest craft brewery in all of Illinois, and one of the most popular ones as well. Whether you're enjoying Revolution's beers in their restaurant and brewery, their tap room, or in your own living room, Revolution Brewing offers a host of award-winning beers in an array of styles to satisfy every beer lover's tastes. The seasonal Oktoberfest beer brewed by Revolution Brewing is an intoxicating classic German-style Oktoberfest option that features a toasty malt savor and a sweet caramel aroma. With a lovely amber color and warm flavor, Revolution Brewing's Oktoberfest beer is a great option this autumn for fall-inspired Chicago beers.
Two Brothers Brewing Company's Atom Smasher
30W315 Calumet Ave.
Warrenville, IL
(630) 393-2337
www.twobrothersbrewing.com
Founded, literally, by two brothers in 1996, Two Brothers Brewing in nearby Warrenville, Illinois is still completely family-owned even until this day. Two Brothers' version of the popular Oktoberfest-style beer is their flavorful Atom Smasher beer, which tips the hat to the classic Märzen beer approach. This oak aged lager gives off an aroma of sweet bread, booze and cherries, and tastes of malty caramel and toffee with a just hint of hops. Atom Smasher pairs nicely with an array of hearty foods, but is just as pleasant all on its own.
Goose Island's Autumn Ale
1800 W Fulton St.
Chicago, IL 60612
(800) 466-7363
www.gooseisland.com
There is a plethora of beer brewers in Chicago and the surrounding area today, many of which have popped up in recent years with the explosion of craft beers in the U.S. But one of the first brewers to start making waves in Chicago was Goose Island, and they're still at it today. Goose Island has a selection of beer styles that are difficult to chose from, but a "must" for fall in Chicago is their Autumn Ale. A red ale reminiscent of one of the colors of fall itself, the Autumn Ale has got a warm, spicy flavor topped off with pine aromas that will warm you up on chilly autumn days.
Flossmore Station's Pullman Brown Ale
1035 Sterling Ave.
Flossmoor, IL 60422
(708) 957-2739
www.flossmoorstation.com
Although available year-round, a great beer for the time of year when temperatures are cooling off is Flossmore Station's Pullman Brown Ale. This award-winning American brown ale ranked in as "outstanding" by the Beer Advocate, and features roasted and chocolaty qualities. Named for George Pullman, the designer of the Pullman luxury sleeping cars, Flossmore Station's Pullman Brown Ale also offers a pleasant appreciation of comfort. Stop into Flossmore Station's brewpub for a drink and stay for dinner, but it might take you awhile to choose something from their robust menu.
Half Acre's Lager Town
4257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 248-4038
halfacrebeer.com
Another great beer from a great brewery in the heart of Chicago is Half Acre's Lager Town. Half Acre's Märzen-Oktoberfest styled brew offers a smoky, malty taste with lively carbonation. Well balanced like all of Half Acre's beers, their Lager Town pours a clean caramel brown color and its aroma flirts with a touch of sweetness. When picking of a pack or growler of Lager Town, be sure to also get some of Half Acre's Daisy Cutter pale ale — one of the best beers in all of Chicagoland.
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Soon after earning her BA in journalism, Melanie Falina began writing about one of the loves of her life - music. Since then, she's covered some of the biggest names in music, in addition to writing on an array of other topics as well. She has written for Black Belt magazine, KISS: The Official Authorized Quarterly Magazine, Examiner, AXS.com, Yahoo Voices, and more, and was editor for Don Lemmon's KNOW HOW Book Three, Refuse To Fail. Melanie is also a poet with five published collections of poetry available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and various establishments.